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Onshore · 10-04-2004, 03:04 PM

I believe the 'cure' that folks are referencing is the chemical treatment of milfoil in Lower Suncook Lake in Barnstead. The lake was treated with 2,4-D, a systemic herbicide, in early spring 2004.

This particular chemical has been used in NH for several years, and does not have a track record of eradicating milfoil...nothing does at this point.

The significance of the Suncook Lake study was the level of detail that went into the planning, mapping, and treatment of the lake. Lake association residents mapped nearly every square inch of the lower lake, and using those data, the herbicide applicators did a very thorough treatment that effectively killed back the milfoil this summer.

It is important to note that milfoil root crowns may still be intact in the sediment (which means regrowth next season), even though the chemical is supposed to kill off the rooting systems. This is going to be a wait and see type of scenario. We are hopeful that the treatment eradicated the milfoil, but to date, success stories of full eradication are few and far between in New Hampshire and elsewhere.

Thanks to the fact that this lake has an active lake association, if milfoil regrowth does occur, it is likely that any new re-growth will be hand-pulled by trained divers so as to prevent the liklihood of a re-infestation.

Milfoil 'eradication' is still something that the State is trying to acheive. If this study should prove successful, then more detailed mapping and more directed and intensive treatments will be performed in the future, but time will tell.

As a note, it is ILLEGAL for anyone but licensed applicators to apply ANY herbicide into and adjacent to a waterbody or wetland in New Hampshire. A contractor that was licensed was hired to do the chemical treatment in Suncook Lake. Illegal use of chemicals within a waterbody is subject to a hefty fine, plus there is a strong liklihood that there could also be human or ecological health impacts if a treatment is done by an untrained, unlicensed individual.

For more information on exotic species, Suncook Lake updates, or other items, please visit the Exotic Species Program website at www.des.state.nh.us/wmb/exoticspecies.

For those interested in learning more about the Suncook Lake treatment, the Department of Environmental Services will be hosting a meeting on October 21st at 7pm in the Auditorium at the Department of Environmental Services, 29 Hazen Drive, where the lead contact from Suncook Lake will be making a presentation on their efforts at the lake.

10-04-2004, 03:04 PM	#11
Onshore Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 502 Thanks: 12 Thanked 423 Times in 145 Posts	New milfoil 'cure' I believe the 'cure' that folks are referencing is the chemical treatment of milfoil in Lower Suncook Lake in Barnstead. The lake was treated with 2,4-D, a systemic herbicide, in early spring 2004. This particular chemical has been used in NH for several years, and does not have a track record of eradicating milfoil...nothing does at this point. The significance of the Suncook Lake study was the level of detail that went into the planning, mapping, and treatment of the lake. Lake association residents mapped nearly every square inch of the lower lake, and using those data, the herbicide applicators did a very thorough treatment that effectively killed back the milfoil this summer. It is important to note that milfoil root crowns may still be intact in the sediment (which means regrowth next season), even though the chemical is supposed to kill off the rooting systems. This is going to be a wait and see type of scenario. We are hopeful that the treatment eradicated the milfoil, but to date, success stories of full eradication are few and far between in New Hampshire and elsewhere. Thanks to the fact that this lake has an active lake association, if milfoil regrowth does occur, it is likely that any new re-growth will be hand-pulled by trained divers so as to prevent the liklihood of a re-infestation. Milfoil 'eradication' is still something that the State is trying to acheive. If this study should prove successful, then more detailed mapping and more directed and intensive treatments will be performed in the future, but time will tell. As a note, it is ILLEGAL for anyone but licensed applicators to apply ANY herbicide into and adjacent to a waterbody or wetland in New Hampshire. A contractor that was licensed was hired to do the chemical treatment in Suncook Lake. Illegal use of chemicals within a waterbody is subject to a hefty fine, plus there is a strong liklihood that there could also be human or ecological health impacts if a treatment is done by an untrained, unlicensed individual. For more information on exotic species, Suncook Lake updates, or other items, please visit the Exotic Species Program website at www.des.state.nh.us/wmb/exoticspecies. For those interested in learning more about the Suncook Lake treatment, the Department of Environmental Services will be hosting a meeting on October 21st at 7pm in the Auditorium at the Department of Environmental Services, 29 Hazen Drive, where the lead contact from Suncook Lake will be making a presentation on their efforts at the lake.