DEC-permitted 2018 herbicide treatments targeting the invasive/non-native Eurasian Water Milfoil and Curly Leaf Pondweed in Chautauqua Lake were completed on Monday, June 11. A total of 83 acres was treated in five areas along the shoreline at Sunset/Warner Bay and Bemus Bay in the town of Ellery, the town of Busti and shorelines of Bly Bay and Sunrise Cove in the town of North Harmony.

Herbicide treatments were supervised by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) with support from the Chautauqua County Sheriff and Emergency Services Department and the Department of Health and the New York State Police.

Letters of Notification including temporary water use restrictions were mailed to more than 2,000 lake, river and creek-side property owners. Ten key lake-related organizations and 36 television, radio and print media outlets received a notice describing the restrictions and water use restriction signs were placed at 192 lake access locations. Swimming, fishing, livestock watering and animal consumption water use restrictions ended Tuesday night.

Potable, domestic and irrigation water use restrictions will continue until water sampling indicates they can be removed. Detailed information on treatment areas and water use restrictions and contact information can be found on the town of Ellery, North Harmony and Busti websites.