For well over a decade Connecticut’s most precious resources; public lakes, rivers and streams, have been constantly sprayed with toxic herbicides. Over the past couple years applications for these permits has skyrocketed and Connecticuts Department of Energy and Environmental Protection involvement has dwindled. Any person or company in the world can legally apply for a permit to Connecticut DEEP for any reason and get a rubber stamp approval. If no approval is given, there is also a loophole within the current laws that if no response is given to applicant within 24 hours, it is deemed automatically approved. These herbicide applications are approved under the guise of treating the invasive species Milfoil. An aquatic plant which has been in mostly all water bodies in CT for decades.

The problem with the herbicides is tenfold. The treatment process is never supervised. Often companies use much larger doses and cover much larger areas than permitted on application. The herbicides often used destroy all vegetation in its path eliminating habitat for fish, shellfish, birds, reptiles, amphibians, etc. Several times anglers throughout the state have witnessed fish kills on the Housatonic Water Shed, mainly Lake Lillinonah. When brought to the attention of DEEP, they turn a blind eye and ignore it then deny it ever happened. Companies that spray these chemicals claim spot treatment is possible. This is not the case on river systems as current drifts the chemical downstream of the application. Another key issue that has been overlooked is the detrimental affect these herbicides have on pets such as dogs. Veterinarians across the state have been seeing a rise in cases of Gastroenteritis. Not only from swimming in lakes that have been treated but also from small ponds. Areas where dogs get small amounts of exposure over long periods of time. Aquatic vegetation is waters natural filter, by eliminating it water clarity drops dramatically and also creates a environment for the toxic blue-green algae blooms to occur and flourish. The State of Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection recognizes studies that show, herbicide applications greatly increases the risk of deadly Cyanobacteria Outbreaks by a factor of six.

Companies that execute these treatments consistently fail to notify the public, post proper signage, use proper dosages, exceed scope of application area, and are never held accountable. This creates a very hazardous situation for residents who wish to enjoy time on the water unknowingly exposing themselves to these hazardous chemicals. Exposure to humans can cause respiratory failure, severe irritation of the mouth, throat, esophagus and stomach. May induce vomiting, diarrhea, severe dehydration and body fluid imbalance. Diquat itself has been found to cause liver and kidney damage, cataract, pupil dilation and severe skin allergies such as excessive rashes and burns. Exposure may trigger malaise, chest pain and even death.

Fishing is a multi-billion dollar industry in which Connecticut is losing tens of millions in revenue annually due to the detrimental affects herbicides have. The quality of fishing on bodies of water that have been treated with herbicides has declined drastically. To the point fishing license sales have fallen, local businesses have closed their doors, and fishing guides have seen a drop in clients.

Candlewood Lake, notably one of the top bass fisheries in the country is thriving more than ever. It’s the only lake we have that has not been treated. Needless to say it would be catastrophic to the fishery and the local economy if herbicides found their way in.

The main reason these herbicide treatments are occurring on public water bodies is that lake front property owners and non U.S. citizens do not want weeds near the docks they own or rent. There are several safe methods these individuals can use to achieve this. During winter drawdowns rubber mats can be installed to prevent vegetation from growing. Mechanical harvesting using machines is common throughout the country. Manual extraction by licensed aquatic landscapers is efficient and contributes to local economies. The list goes on and on. 

With this petition we are calling on Connecticut legislators to once and for all propose and pass legislation creating a ban on the use of all chemical herbicides and pesticides on public bodies of water. These beautiful natural resources belong to all Connecticut residents, not only a few. We wish to keep these ecosystems healthy and flourishing for generations to come.