Herbicides being used to eradicate water soldier

Quinte Conservation is applying aquatic herbicides in areas of Prince Edward County to manage Water Soldier, an invasive plant species.

The municipality states aquatic herbicides will not be applied in the intake protection zones for any municipal drinking water treatment plants in Prince Edward County.

Property owners that may be affected by the aquatic herbicide applications have received notifications from the Quinte Conservation Authority.

Quinte Conservation states Water Soldier, first detected in 2021, poses a significant threat to the local and Great Lake ecosystems. Water Soldier forms dense mats of floating and submerged vegetation that aggressively outcompete native species, reduces biodiversity, and impedes recreational activities.

A technical working group consisting of municipalities, conservation authorities, Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, government agencies, and other interest groups has been working since the plant was detected to coordinate research, monitoring, control, and prevention strategies.

For more information, or questions about aquatic herbicide application, contact Quinte Conservation at 613.968.3434.

An aquatic herbicide (Reward (Diquat dibromide)) is being applied this week (weather permitting) at the following locations around the Bay of Quinte:

– Montrose Road to Wedgewood Lane, Quinte West (1.2 ha)
– Gracefield Lane to Wilkie Street, Belleville (0.8 ha)
– Sawguin Creek Wetland North, Ameliasburgh (4 ha)
– Blessington Creek, Belleville (1.1 ha)
– West Muscote Bay, Prince Edward County (4.8 ha)
Sawguin Island to Grape Island, Prince Edward County (19.6 ha)
– Manley Drive, Point Anne, Belleville (2.5 ha)
– Robinson Cove, Sophiasburgh (0.5 ha)

An aquatic herbicide (ProcellaCOR FX) is being applied the week of Oct. 6th (pending weather conditions) at the following locations around the Bay of Quinte:

– Pine Point, Ameliasburgh (1.5 ha)
– Cow Island, Prince Edward County (0.5 ha)
– Thrasher Lane, Quinte West (0.5 ha)
– Wilkie Street, Belleville (0.5 ha)
– West Zwick’s Island Park, Belleville (2 ha)
– Bluff Point, Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory (4.9 ha)
– Lower Sucker Creek, Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory (1.5 ha)
– Haig Road, Belleville (3 ha)
– Deseronto Yacht Club (0.5 ha)

For more information about the aquatic herbicide application, call 613-391-4122. Calls received after hours will be returned the next business day.