News from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

For more information contact: Wendy Rosenbach, 845-256-3018

DEC Takes Aggressive Action to Halt Northern Snakehead in Catlin Creek

Action Will Restore Creek, Protect the Wallkill and Hudson Rivers from Invasive Predator

ALBANY, NY (07/29/2008; 1648)(readMedia)-- Implementing an aggressive protocol for responding to invasive species, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), plans to treat Ridgebury Lake and Catlin Creek above County Route 6 in Waywayanda (Orange County) with an aquatic pesticide in August. The DEC action is designed to eradicate an invasive fish called the Northern Snakehead, and to protect clean water and restore a healthy and productive fishery and natural community.

"All of us at DEC realize those who live at or near the site of this invasion will sustain some losses, including a temporary loss of the fish population and the temporary disruption of the peaceful atmosphere of the lakefront during the restoration activities. We appreciate the patience and cooperation of local residents and town officials," DEC Regional Director Willie Janeway said.

Special temporary emergency rules regarding the use of an aquatic pesticide, with Rotenone as the active ingredient, were enacted by DEC specifically to take action against the Northern Snakehead. DEC notified shoreline landowners of a proposed action plan in July. This week, landowners are being sent additional information including details on several changes made to the eradication plan based in part on public input received since then.

DEC is making a commitment to restocking and restoring the impacted waters. "Specifically, DEC will selectively remove and hold some fish - other than Northern Snakeheads -- collected from Ridgebury Lake prior to treatment and return them shortly after treatment, when the water is safe for the fish. The reintroduction of these fish will help accelerate natural restoration processes," Director Janeway said. DEC will also provide the technical support needed to develop and monitor the restoration of this fishery and will support additional restocking as determined necessary by a cooperative effort between the community and the Department.

The DEC verified the presence of the Northern Snakehead (Channa argus) in these waters late in May 2008. The Department determined that swift action to eradicate this invasive species and prevent any possible expansion beyond the headwaters of Catlin Creek is essential to protect native fish populations, natural communities and multiple clean water bodies including the Wallkill and Hudson Rivers. A species native to Asia, the Northern Snakehead is an aggressive predator fish that has the potential to prey on and compete with native fishes throughout New York State.

In an effort to prevent further spread of this invasive species, DEC now plans to treat the infested waters of Ridgebury Lake and Catlin Creek above the County Route 6 crossing, including DEC mapped Wetland MD-26, with the aquatic pesticide CFT Legumine. The original proposal was to use Prenfish, but after receiving several comments from the public about the odor associated with this product and researching alternatives, DEC chose an Legumine. This pesticide has little or no odor and has fewer undesirable inert ingredients while still being an effective eradication tool. The active ingredient, Rotenone, the same used in Prenfish, is an extract from several different tropical plants and breaks down rapidly after application with no lasting toxicity. To minimize potential impacts to human health, the proposed application will be undertaken by DEC staff trained and certified as aquatic pesticide applicators and certain restrictions will apply to public use of the waters during treatment and for 30 days afterwards.