RJ
11-05-2007, 01:35 PM
Lake Champlain Fish & Wildlife Management Cooperative’s Sea Lamprey Control Program
The sea lamprey control treatment of the Poultney River* a tributary of Lake Champlain* has been tentatively rescheduled for Nov. 7* 2007* New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Regional Director Elizabeth M. Lowe announced today.
The Poultney River treatment* originally scheduled for Oct. 17* had to be postponed due to low river flows and permitting issues. Crews from DEC* the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife* and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will jointly conduct the treatment which will target the sea lamprey's larval stage. The actual date of the treatment will depend on water levels* water temperatures and satisfactory finalization of the Vermont permits for the treatment.
"Recent rains have brought up water levels in the river and the Vermont permits will be reissued with an acceptable treatment level*" said Director Lowe. "This treatment will prevent a large number of sea lamprey from maturing and parasitizing trout and salmon in Lake Champlain."
Sea lampreys have seriously damaged Lake Champlain's lake trout and salmon fisheries. The Poultney River* considered one of the largest contributors of lamprey to the Lake* has not been treated in over a decade. New York DEC had issued permits allowing for maximum concentrations of the lampricide trifluoromethylnitrophenol (TFM) up to 1.3 times the minimum lethal concentration (MLC). Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (VTDEC) issued it’s permits in mid October with a maximum allowable concentration of 1.1 x MLC based on concerns for endangered mussels and fish species in the Poultney River.
A modification of the permit was requested based on 1.1 x MLC will not be effective in treating lamprey and 1.3 x MLC will not impact the endangered species. Years of laboratory and field tests demonstrate that 1.1 MLC allows for survival of significant numbers sea lamprey larvae under most conditions* and that 1.3 x MLC is safe for even the most sensitive of endangered aquatic species. A modified permit* with maximum allowable TFM concentrations of 1.3 MLC* is expected to be issued by VTDEC early next week.
Lamprey control is critical to protecting trout and salmon fisheries in Lake Champlain* which are an important part of the overall ecosystem of the lake and the local economy. The treatment is part of a long-term effort to protect the lake's fishery from this parasitic fish.
In the Lake Champlain system* most immature sea lamprey live in streams for four years before they become parasitic and descend into Lake Champlain to prey on other fish like trout and salmon. Under the sea lamprey control program* TFM is applied in precise concentrations to the streams in a continuous* metered manner over a period of approximately 12 hours in order to kill the immature* larval form of the sea lamprey living in streams.
Temporary water use advisories will be in effect in specific areas following the treatment to minimize exposure to the treatment compound. The Department of Health recommends that the treated river and lake water not be used for drinking* swimming* fishing* irrigation* or livestock watering for the short period the lamprey control chemical is present.
Drinking water and water for agricultural and household uses will be supplied to affected people within the advisory areas upon request. Contact the DEC at 800-638-5432 to request water.
To determine if you may be affected by the advisories* please consult the table below:
WATER USE ADVISORY AREAS
Stream or Delta Length of Advisory Area in Miles
Application Point to Stream Mouth Lake Area North of Stream Mouth Lake Area South of Stream Mouth
Poultney River 10.5 20.0* --
* Twenty miles north of South Bay outlet
The treatment and water use advisories will have no effect on most residents in the Champlain basin* and no municipal water supply systems will be affected. An extensive series of mailings has already been initiated by DEC to contact landowners and renters who may be affected by the treatment. Local TV and radio stations will broadcast the dates when advisories begin and expire.
DEC has set up a toll free number 800-638-5432 for the public to obtain information on the lamprey treatments. Callers can receive information on the treatment schedule for the specific waters* progress reports*
The sea lamprey control treatment of the Poultney River* a tributary of Lake Champlain* has been tentatively rescheduled for Nov. 7* 2007* New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Regional Director Elizabeth M. Lowe announced today.
The Poultney River treatment* originally scheduled for Oct. 17* had to be postponed due to low river flows and permitting issues. Crews from DEC* the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife* and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will jointly conduct the treatment which will target the sea lamprey's larval stage. The actual date of the treatment will depend on water levels* water temperatures and satisfactory finalization of the Vermont permits for the treatment.
"Recent rains have brought up water levels in the river and the Vermont permits will be reissued with an acceptable treatment level*" said Director Lowe. "This treatment will prevent a large number of sea lamprey from maturing and parasitizing trout and salmon in Lake Champlain."
Sea lampreys have seriously damaged Lake Champlain's lake trout and salmon fisheries. The Poultney River* considered one of the largest contributors of lamprey to the Lake* has not been treated in over a decade. New York DEC had issued permits allowing for maximum concentrations of the lampricide trifluoromethylnitrophenol (TFM) up to 1.3 times the minimum lethal concentration (MLC). Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (VTDEC) issued it’s permits in mid October with a maximum allowable concentration of 1.1 x MLC based on concerns for endangered mussels and fish species in the Poultney River.
A modification of the permit was requested based on 1.1 x MLC will not be effective in treating lamprey and 1.3 x MLC will not impact the endangered species. Years of laboratory and field tests demonstrate that 1.1 MLC allows for survival of significant numbers sea lamprey larvae under most conditions* and that 1.3 x MLC is safe for even the most sensitive of endangered aquatic species. A modified permit* with maximum allowable TFM concentrations of 1.3 MLC* is expected to be issued by VTDEC early next week.
Lamprey control is critical to protecting trout and salmon fisheries in Lake Champlain* which are an important part of the overall ecosystem of the lake and the local economy. The treatment is part of a long-term effort to protect the lake's fishery from this parasitic fish.
In the Lake Champlain system* most immature sea lamprey live in streams for four years before they become parasitic and descend into Lake Champlain to prey on other fish like trout and salmon. Under the sea lamprey control program* TFM is applied in precise concentrations to the streams in a continuous* metered manner over a period of approximately 12 hours in order to kill the immature* larval form of the sea lamprey living in streams.
Temporary water use advisories will be in effect in specific areas following the treatment to minimize exposure to the treatment compound. The Department of Health recommends that the treated river and lake water not be used for drinking* swimming* fishing* irrigation* or livestock watering for the short period the lamprey control chemical is present.
Drinking water and water for agricultural and household uses will be supplied to affected people within the advisory areas upon request. Contact the DEC at 800-638-5432 to request water.
To determine if you may be affected by the advisories* please consult the table below:
WATER USE ADVISORY AREAS
Stream or Delta Length of Advisory Area in Miles
Application Point to Stream Mouth Lake Area North of Stream Mouth Lake Area South of Stream Mouth
Poultney River 10.5 20.0* --
* Twenty miles north of South Bay outlet
The treatment and water use advisories will have no effect on most residents in the Champlain basin* and no municipal water supply systems will be affected. An extensive series of mailings has already been initiated by DEC to contact landowners and renters who may be affected by the treatment. Local TV and radio stations will broadcast the dates when advisories begin and expire.
DEC has set up a toll free number 800-638-5432 for the public to obtain information on the lamprey treatments. Callers can receive information on the treatment schedule for the specific waters* progress reports*