NY agency considers herbicide for Adirondack lake

ALBANY -- Adirondack Park Agency staff has proposed approving the use of an herbicide for the first time in a lake in the 6-million acre park.

The APA board on Thursday will consider the recommendation for treating 11 acres of Lake Luzerne in the southern Adirondacks to kill Eurasian watermilfoil. Residents say it clogs the southern end of the lake.

Environmental groups oppose the plan, saying the herbicide Triclopyr used elsewhere has killed other plants along with the targets. They also question whether a proposed 275-foot barrier will protect the rest of the lake from the herbicide.

The agency says the 72-hour treatment with 1,560 pounds of the chemical is expected to make the water undrinkable for two to three weeks and result in a likely irrigation ban for 120 days.

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