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About private weed treatments... 

Private Treatment Applicators / Companies are listed below.

Guidelines: 

For full guidance, please refer to Dominion Power's Appendix E to their Shoreline Management Plan, which offers guidelines as to how to obtain private treatment. To visit Dominion's site and view Appendix E (pdf file), click HERE.

In addition to these warnings and guidelines, Dominion Power points out the hazards of “moonlight” treatment with chemicals such as Copper Sulfate.  Over-treatment can result in fishkills and other visual evidence leading to financial liability and prosecution.

Copper Sulfate, in particular, is very corrosive to pontoon boats with aluminum floats and can cause expensive damage in a short amount of time.

APPENDIX E:  AQUATIC WEED CONTROL (March 2005)

1.0    Overview

The accidental introduction of exotic vegetation has resulted in the proliferation of several nuisance aquatic weeds in Lake Gaston and Roanoke Rapids Lake. Though there are some ancillary aquatic habitat benefits to these species, over-abundance of the weeds can result in significant reduction in the recreational quality of some portions of the lakes. Of greatest concern are the areas in and around public and private swimming areas, docks, boat landings and channels that provide ingress and egress to these structures.

2.0    State Regulation

Since portions of Lake Gaston fall within the boundaries of both North Carolina and Virginia, the regulations of both states for application of aquatic herbicides have been reviewed. The following are conclusions of the regulations:  1. In both states, the water in the lakes is considered to be “state property” by the state. As a result, the states are responsible for ensuring water quality and co managing the fishery. 2. The bottom of the lake and the shoreline within the project boundary are owned by Dominion. Dominion is responsible to FERC to ensure proper management of the land within the project boundary. 3. Neither state allows for herbicide treatment in its waters unless the treatment is performed by a licensed applicator. 4. If an individual applies a weed control chemical in state waters and on Dominion land, they open themselves to potential prosecution. Penalties may be assessed including state fines, costs of mitigation for environmental damage and possible loss of construction and use permits from Dominion.

3.0    Lake Gaston Weed Control Council

In 1985 the Lake Gaston Weed Control Council was formed for the primary purposes of research, education, control and/or eradication of undesirable aquatic weeds in Lake Gaston . The Council is comprised of 3 persons from each of the 5 counties surrounding the lake. Funding for the council comes from both the public and private sectors. The Weed Control Council is responsible for contracting and overseeing aquatic weed herbicide applications in the Lake. Currently, [March 2006] Professional Lake Management (PLM) is the applicator contracted by the Weed Council to treat nuisance aquatic vegetation.

4.0   Guidelines for Private Weed Control Application

1. No unlicensed or unregistered individual or group may apply aquatic weed control chemicals within the Lake Gaston or Roanoke Rapids Lake Project boundaries.

2. If an individual or group (i. e. homeowners association) desires to apply chemical weed control in the area between their extended side property lines or within a subdivision cove(s) by a registered applicator other than PLM or Dominion must be notified at least 5 working days prior to application.

3. Notification of intention to treat shall be to either PLM at (866) 776-5253 or www.prolakemgmt.com.  Dominion may be contacted at (252) 535-6161.

   The following information is required:

   1. Name of home / property owner

   2. Phone number

   3. Location to be treated (c1. Subdivision, c2. Address, c3. Lot Number)

4. Name of Contractor applying chemical control

5. Phone number of contractor

6. Type of herbicide to be used

7. Date of anticipated herbicide application.

8. Application area (ft2).

9. Plant species targeted.

10. Treatment chemical.

4. If Dominion is contacted, Dominion shall relay information to PLM to ensure the area treated by the private contractor is not “double treated” by PLM.

5. No native aquatic vegetation (e.g., water willow, cattails, reeds, etc.) may be removed from the lake or shoreline by either mechanical or chemical methods without a Construction and Use Permit from Dominion. (See Construction and Use Permit guidelines for clearing and re-vegetation requirements).

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The LGWCC has awarded the 2007 Treatment Contract to:
Professional Lake Management, 866-PRO-LAKE / 866-776-5253 www.prolakemgmt.com

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• What firms are available to do private treatment?  The LGA knows of the following firms that service Lake Gaston and are actively seeking this business. 

 

Aquatic Nuisance Plant Control (ANPC)	Littleton, NC	(252) 586-2900	Website
Aquatic Resource Management (A.R.M.)	Virginia Beach, VA	(866) 201-5066	Website
NatureChem	Greenville, NC	(800) 547-6125	Website
Professional Lake Management	SE Region	(866) 776-5253	Website

• These companies are provided as a service to Lake Gaston residents and are in no way endorsed by or affiliated with the LGA.  It is important to ensure that any applicator you hire be properly licensed and insured against potential damage to the environment. The individual who hires the work to be done can be held liable for any damage caused by improper treatment.