Temporary Water Use Restrictions
New Hampshire Lakes and Ponds
Click here if you have received a “Notification of Permit Application”
Click here for “Notification and Restriction Distances”
Click here if you have received a “Notice of Treatment”
Click here if you saw a “WARNING” poster
The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NH DES) Exotic Species Program annually surveys waterbodies in the State to inventory the distribution of non-native, invasive aquatic plant species. To help control growth and spread of exotic plant species the DES regularly coordinates and helps fund management programs to control localized populations of unwanted exotic plants. The most common methods of control include SCUBA diver hand-pulling, DASH (Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting) and treatment with USEPA approved aquatic herbicides.SOLitude Lake Management is contracted annually to perform aquatic plant management programs across New Hampshire in cooperation with the NH DES Exotic Species Program. In this capacity, SOLitude works with the DES, Municipalities, Lake Associations and other stakeholders to manage infestations of non-native aquatic plant species.
SOLitude performs dozens of aquatic herbicide treatments in New Hampshire annually. Most treatments are targeting nuisance growth of non-native variable water milfoil (Myriophyllum heterophyllum) but there are a number of other exotic species threatening NH lakes and ponds.Aquatic herbicide applications are highly regulated and before treatments can be performed a site-specific permit must be issued by the NH DPC. Permit applications are reviewed by NH Division of Pesticide Control (DPC), NH Fish & Game Department, Department of Resources and Economic Development (DRED) and NH DES Water Division. The permit review considers site characteristics in relation to the herbicide type, location, application rate and timing of the proposed treatment. Resulting permit restrictions and conditions are dictated by proximity to public and private wells, sensitive habitats, presence of rare and endangered species and outstanding habitat features.
If you have received a “Notification of Permit Application”If you have received a “Notification of Permit Application,” records indicate that you own property that directly abuts and is within 1200 feet of a potential aquatic herbicide treatment (see Notification/Restriction Distances below). Potential treatment areas are determined by vegetation surveys performed by the DES and historic plant distribution records. This notification serves to let you know that a permit application for use of an aquatic herbicide has been filed with the NH Division of Pesticide Control (NH DPC) for the waterbody nearest you. Additional notification will follow if the permit is issued, a treatment is planned and associated water use restrictions will affect your property.
Notification/Restriction Distances
Herbicide Product:
Notification/Restriction Distance:
ProcellaCOR
200 feet
2,4-D (Navigate, Clean Amine)
1200 feet
Sonar
1320 feet
Depth Charge
1200 feet
Clipper
200 feet
Note: If your proposed treatment herbicide is not listed here, please contact us using the contact information listed at the bottom of this page
If you have received a “Notice of Treatment”If you have received a certified “Notice of Treatment” then treatment of a nuisance plant within 1200 feet of your property has been scheduled (see Notification/Restriction Distances above). Specific dates of scheduled treatments and associated water uses restrictions for your waterbody can be found on the notice you received and on our Temporary Water Use Restrictions document.
Once a NH DPC permit is issued, legal ads are placed in a local newspaper notifying of the scheduled treatment date; certified letters are sent to affected shoreline abutters within 1200 feet of the finalized treatment area(s) only (see Notification/Restriction Distances above) and WARNING posters are hung within 200 feet of the treatment area on or before the day of treatment. I saw a “WARNING” posterYellow “WARNING” posters are hung within 200 feet of an area to be treated with an aquatic herbicide. The poster provides date and approximate time of application and any associated water use restrictions. Specific water uses restrictions for your waterbody can be found on our Temporary Water Use Restrictions document.I have a well within 50 feet of the shorelineORI have a direct intake within 1200 feet of the treatment areaCurrent rules in the State of NH require that use of private wells located within 50 feet of shore and intakes that draw water directly from the lake (see Notification/Restriction Distances above) must be restricted for a certain period of time following treatment or until the in-lake herbicide concentrations drop below approved thresholds (please refer to specific herbicide label for thresholds). Water use restrictions vary depending on which herbicide is being applied. There are usually restrictions on using treated lake water for drinking and irrigation purposes. Most other domestic uses of lake water are not restricted. If you are affected by this restriction, please contact us to arrange for bottled drinking water.For further information, contact:
Becky SnyderSOLitude Lake Management590 Lake StreetShrewsbury, MA 01545508-885-0101[email protected]
