Please be advised that the Town will begin its annual aquatic weed spraying in the harbour basin for the control of Eurasian Milfoil on Tuesday, July 23, 2024. Please refer to the highlighted areas in the enclosed map for the affected area.
Weed growth has become a significant issue for boat propellors and shafts rendering the vessels powerless and drifting, causing a safety hazard. The Town has explored alternative weed control methods, such as harvesting, but these are labour intensive and cost prohibitive.
The aquatic weed spraying of reward herbicide is completed by a licenced applicator. The concentrated herbicide is diluted in a spray tank in the boat, then applied to the surface of the water at label rate, only in ministry approved treatment areas. The herbicide is ionically charged, which attracts the herbicide to organic material as soon as it is sprayed on the water surface and absorbed by target plants within minutes, quickly becoming inactive in the water, making the spread of herbicide out of target areas next to zero and posing no danger to individuals who swim at the pier. The spread of the herbicide is dependent on environmental factors such as currents, and movement of the water. However, licenced applicators are trained to spray during optimal conditions and keep movement within the treatment areas.
All recreational groups at the Collingwood Harbour have been notified and advised to stay out of the water for 24 hours following spraying. Public notices have also been posted in several locations at the harbour.
All pesticides are regulated by Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA). Should you have any further questions regarding the herbicide being used in this application, please contact the Pest Management Information Service.