Lake George Association conducts its own sampling, monitoring
By Zachary Matson
The concentrations of the herbicide ProcellaCOR fell to undetectable levels within 24 hours of its use in two Lake George bays on June 29, according to monitoring results posted to the Lake George Park Commission website.
As part of its state permit requirements, the commission, a state agency established to protect the lake, collected water samples at five sites in Blairs Bay and six sites in Sheep Meadow Bay to measure the concentration of the herbicide at the surface and bottom of the lake. Those samples were sent to a North Carolina lab run by SePro, the herbicide’s manufacturer.
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The samples — collected 3 hours, 10 hours, 24 hours and 48 hours following treatment — indicated that concentrations fell below 1 part per billion at all sites within 24 hours.
The herbicide concentrations fall off when absorbed by the targeted invasive Eurasian watermilfoil, breakdown from the sun and general dilution into the lake. Once it drops below 1 part per billion, all water use restrictions are lifted.
The sampling results mirror similar monitoring conducted in other Adirondack lakes that have used the herbicide.
“The plant took up the aquatic herbicide as expected,” said Dave Wick, executive director of the commission.
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The Lake George Association, which opposed the herbicide’s use in the lake and sued to try to stop it, is conducting its own monitoring in tandem with the Jefferson Project, a water research program run by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy.
The effort also includes sampling of the degradants the herbicide breaks down into and looking for plant material containing ProcellaCOR. The project is monitoring nearly twice as many sites as the park commission.
Those results aren’t expected until the end of the month, said Lake George Waterkeeper Chris Navitsky, whose position is supported by the lake association.
Navitsky said the sampling results from the commission raised questions about why some of the measured concentrations — as high as 12 parts per billion — were higher than the concentration permitted for the herbicide application — 7.7 parts per billion.
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“That just doesn’t make sense,” Navitsky said.
Wick said the higher concentrations, which within hours dropped below 1 part per billion, were attributed to the mechanics of how the herbicide is applied to the lake. When the applicator turns a corner in the boat, for instance, it may result in more product being applied in the location of the turn.
Photo at top: A contractor applies the herbicide ProcellaCOR to Sheep Meadow Bay in Lake George as a swimmer looks on. Photo provided by Jillian Maginnis
Jimmy C says
Thank you for the update. Valuable information
Todd Eastman says
What of the increase of organic matter on the bottom of the lake from the dead milfoil?
Wouldn’t that decrease the oxygen levels in the lake over time?
As the dead milfoil breaks down on the lake bottom will the herbicide concentrate in the sediments?
Erik says
It’s super sad to see all these evasive plants thriving in our once pristine lakes and ecosystems.
I just hope that the experts can get the situations under control before it’s too late .
Cheers to all the legends/ volunteers/ experts/ and people that give the light of day on this situation .
Ginger Henry Kuenzel says
Just wondering why the LGPC is having a SePRO lab (the company that manufactures and sells ProcellaCOR) doing the analysis of how their chemical is affecting the water in Lake George. Shouldn’t the LGPC be using an independent lab? I would really like to hear an answer. Maybe there is a good reason, and I would like to hear it.
Stephen Smith says
Good question.
Tracy says
The state should be using a Third party lab, that has no connection to the chemicals company . That water plays a vital roll in the eco system and for the people . No forever chemicals should be used ever . We already the history of forever chemicals in our waters around the country .
Janet Karp says
I,too, am wondering why the analysis of the effects of ProcellaCOR in water in Lake George is being done by a lab run by the chemical’s manufacturer. This issue is too important to involve any risk of conflict of interest.