Eurasian water milfoil has infested Cazenovia Lake and created a dense mat over the majority of the waterfront where everyone swims, fishes, and boats. After more than 20 years of harvesting, the weeds have taken over. We urgently need a different approach to weed management.

Based on the available evidence and the experience of other communities, the Lake Watershed Council concluded that a phased application of the herbicide Renovate (Triclopyr) in conjunction with other preventive and corrective measures is the most appropriate solution for Cazenovia Lake. The Cazenovia Village Board of Trustees, Cazenovia Town Council and Cazenovia Lake Association Board of Directors endorsed this proposal at their December meetings and have begun the process of applying to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation for a permit.

If approved, the goal is to start treatment in the early spring, the first step in eradicating the weeds that are strangling our lake. The bulk of the treatment will target approximately 400 acres over two years, about a third of the lake, but all of the infested area.

Following is information on Eurasian Milfoil, the chemical Renovate, studies of lakes which have used variouse types of Weed Control, the Town of Cazenovia DEC Application Process and other related information.