rsimms
Well-known member
The subject of spraying milfoil came up on another thread (as it always does this time of year). Thought I'd put this info over here for more folks to see.
Background... TVA used to spray milfoil to kill it. They no longer do, but they monitor and advise landowners who can still get permits and pay professional applicators to clear the areas around their docks (within limits).
I am a member of TVA's Chickamauga Lake Shareholders Group and have monitored the issue for many years. Sure, if I had my choice I'd say "no spraying at all." But I think in recent years TVA and the TN Division of Water Quality have reach a fair compromise to protect the resource and allowing landowners to maintain their dock areas.
However it would be wise for fishermen to become familiar with "the rules of engagement" so they can monitor and help insure it is being done properly. But to know violations, you first have to know the rules. It is some heavy reading. You can go here and read all the rules, regs and costs to private landowners: http://www.tennessee.gov/environment/permits/herbicide.shtml (some highlights below)
Bottomline, TVA doesn't use MY money to do any spraying on Chickamauga. Landowners must bear the cost, and go through the red tape process of obtaining a permit. Very rough guesstimate... it will cost a group of landowners app. $4,000 to have someone spray a ten acre area of shoreline around docks (that's the maximum treatment area) You can go here to see who has obtained permits: http://www.tennessee.gov/environment/wpc/permit/AqHerbperm.pdf
Fishermen who fish these areas should be aware and they should learn the fairly strict guidelines that applicators are required to follow so they can watch for, and report, violations. This is not ALL the rules by any means, but this is probably what most folks really want/need to know:
The permittee shall place and maintain at lease 2 (two) signs around the affected area before and during application, and at least one week after application of systemic herbicides. The signs should advise the public that aquatic herbicides are being used, the type of herbicide, and any applicable warnings, which are especially important at bathing beaches and other areas of common access. These signs must contain the name of the owner/applicator or person to whom the permit is issued and a contact phone number. These signs should be a minimum of one foot by one foot (1’ by 1’) with one-half inch (1/2”) letters, have a white background with black letters, made of waterproof material, and readable both from the water and from the shore.
The application of the herbicides shall be by persons licensed by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) and must meet all applicable regulations of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. This requirement is to insure the applicators of these herbicides are trained in the use of these herbicides.
The application of herbicides is limited to an effective plant control zone that shall be within one hundred (100) feet of fixed piers, docks, boathouses, public use boat ramps, public facilities, and industrial water intakes. Boat lanes shall be limited to a single lane not to exceed fifty (50) feet in width. Under no circumstances may the area to be treated exceed ten (10) acres. The applicator must be aware of any label and/or water use restrictions in the area of proposed application of systemic herbicides. Water use restrictions include, but are not limited to: water use for domestic and/or industrial water supply, irrigation, livestock and wildlife watering, swimming or fishing. This requirement is intended to limit the areas in the waters of the state where the systemic herbicides may be applied.
The permittee will report to the division when the application is completed. No later than 30 days after the completion of the herbicide application project, or November 30th of the year the application is performed (whichever is earlier), the owner/applicator or person will provide to the division two copies of a report containing, at a minimum, a description of the just completed activity detailing such information as type and amount of herbicide actually applied, the extent of the area treated, the duration of the application and type and extent of aquatic vegetation treated.
FISHERMEN, KNOW THE RULES! Report violations to the Chattanooga Field Office at: (423) 634-5702 Director, Dick Urban - [email protected]
Background... TVA used to spray milfoil to kill it. They no longer do, but they monitor and advise landowners who can still get permits and pay professional applicators to clear the areas around their docks (within limits).
I am a member of TVA's Chickamauga Lake Shareholders Group and have monitored the issue for many years. Sure, if I had my choice I'd say "no spraying at all." But I think in recent years TVA and the TN Division of Water Quality have reach a fair compromise to protect the resource and allowing landowners to maintain their dock areas.
However it would be wise for fishermen to become familiar with "the rules of engagement" so they can monitor and help insure it is being done properly. But to know violations, you first have to know the rules. It is some heavy reading. You can go here and read all the rules, regs and costs to private landowners: http://www.tennessee.gov/environment/permits/herbicide.shtml (some highlights below)
Bottomline, TVA doesn't use MY money to do any spraying on Chickamauga. Landowners must bear the cost, and go through the red tape process of obtaining a permit. Very rough guesstimate... it will cost a group of landowners app. $4,000 to have someone spray a ten acre area of shoreline around docks (that's the maximum treatment area) You can go here to see who has obtained permits: http://www.tennessee.gov/environment/wpc/permit/AqHerbperm.pdf
Fishermen who fish these areas should be aware and they should learn the fairly strict guidelines that applicators are required to follow so they can watch for, and report, violations. This is not ALL the rules by any means, but this is probably what most folks really want/need to know:
The permittee shall place and maintain at lease 2 (two) signs around the affected area before and during application, and at least one week after application of systemic herbicides. The signs should advise the public that aquatic herbicides are being used, the type of herbicide, and any applicable warnings, which are especially important at bathing beaches and other areas of common access. These signs must contain the name of the owner/applicator or person to whom the permit is issued and a contact phone number. These signs should be a minimum of one foot by one foot (1’ by 1’) with one-half inch (1/2”) letters, have a white background with black letters, made of waterproof material, and readable both from the water and from the shore.
The application of the herbicides shall be by persons licensed by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) and must meet all applicable regulations of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. This requirement is to insure the applicators of these herbicides are trained in the use of these herbicides.
The application of herbicides is limited to an effective plant control zone that shall be within one hundred (100) feet of fixed piers, docks, boathouses, public use boat ramps, public facilities, and industrial water intakes. Boat lanes shall be limited to a single lane not to exceed fifty (50) feet in width. Under no circumstances may the area to be treated exceed ten (10) acres. The applicator must be aware of any label and/or water use restrictions in the area of proposed application of systemic herbicides. Water use restrictions include, but are not limited to: water use for domestic and/or industrial water supply, irrigation, livestock and wildlife watering, swimming or fishing. This requirement is intended to limit the areas in the waters of the state where the systemic herbicides may be applied.
The permittee will report to the division when the application is completed. No later than 30 days after the completion of the herbicide application project, or November 30th of the year the application is performed (whichever is earlier), the owner/applicator or person will provide to the division two copies of a report containing, at a minimum, a description of the just completed activity detailing such information as type and amount of herbicide actually applied, the extent of the area treated, the duration of the application and type and extent of aquatic vegetation treated.
FISHERMEN, KNOW THE RULES! Report violations to the Chattanooga Field Office at: (423) 634-5702 Director, Dick Urban - [email protected]
