Town of Stafford - Horseshoe Lake

Negative Declaration

Genesee County - The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC), as lead agency, has determined that the proposed Horseshoe Lake will not have a significant adverse environmental impact. The action involves the a proposal by the applicant for an annual aquatic herbicide treatment on approximately 10.0 acres of Horseshoe Lake to manage invasive aquatic vegetation. The three primary species the treatment will target is curly-leaf pondweed (Potamogeton crispus), variable-leaf milfoil (Myriophyllum heterophyllum), and macro-algae. In an attempt to eliminate these invasive species and limit the probability of herbicide resistance, a five-year plan was developed to use one or more of the following active ingredients: Endothall within the product Aquathol K, Florpyrauxifen-Benzyl within the product ProcellaCOR EC, and Copper Ethanolamine Complex within the product Captain XTR. The very southern portion of Horseshoe Lake is considered a New York State Regulated Freshwater Wetland. Therefore, an Article 24 Freshwater Wetland Permit is required for water level drawdown and control at the Horseshoe Lake dam during the herbicide application. A water level management plan has been reviewed and approved, which includes a partial hold for 7-days following a sampling plan of the treated waters of days 3, 5, 7, and 14 post treatment with immediate Lab analysis. The water level drawdown is used to contain the herbicide within the Lake while concentrations are highest. In addition to the Article 24 Permit, the applicant will also need to obtain an annual Article 15 Pesticides Permit from the NYS DEC for the proposed herbicide application. The project is located Horseshoe Lake Road in the Town of Stafford, New York.