Applications will be conducted between July 29-Aug. 7, Fish and Wildlife Service officials said. Application dates are tentative and may be changed based upon local weather or stream conditions near the time of treatment.

Sea lamprey larvae live in hundreds of Great Lakes tributaries and transform into parasites that migrate to the Great Lakes and kill fish by feeding on their blood and body fluids. Failure to kill sea lamprey larvae in streams will result in significant damage to the Great Lakes fishery. Infested tributaries must be treated on a regular basis with lampricides to control sea lamprey populations.

Extensive preparations and precautions are required to deliver a safe and effective stream treatment. Prior to treatment, trained personnel collect data on stream water chemistry and discharge. In addition, they may conduct on-site toxicity tests and stream flow studies with non-harmful dyes that cause stream water to appear red or green.

Lampricides are carefully added into the stream for approximately 12 hours and continually analyzed at predetermined sites to ensure proper concentrations are maintained as they move downstream. Applicators are trained and certified by regulatory agencies for aquatic applications of pesticides.

This is what a fully-grown sea lamprey looks like. (Journal file photo)

The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency and Health Canada Pest Management Regulatory Agency have reviewed human health and environmental safety data for lampricides and in 2003 concluded that the lampricides (Lampricide and Bayluscide) pose no unreasonable risk to the general population and the environment when applied at concentrations necessary to control larval sea lampreys.

However, as with any pesticide, the public is advised to use discretion and minimize unnecessary exposure. Lampricides are selectively toxic to sea lampreys, but a few fish, insect, and broadleaf plants are sensitive. Persons confining bait fish or other organisms in stream water are advised to use an alternate water source because lampricides may cause mortality among aquatic organisms stressed by crowding and handling. Agricultural irrigation must be suspended for 24 hours, during and following treatment.

For additional information in Canada call 800-553-9091. To reach the Marquette Biological Station call 906-226-2657 or to reach the Ludington Biological Station call 231-843-7300.

Bud Sargent can be reached at 906-228-2500, extension 544. His email address is bsargent@miningjournal.net