The Washington Department of Ecology has revised a permit that protects people and the environment when herbicides are used to curb the spread of noxious weeds growing in wet areas.
The Aquatic Noxious Weed Control General Permit requires that specific actions be taken to protect lakes, rivers, wetlands and marine waters when treating noxious weeds with herbicides around or near water.
The weed treatments help state and local governments manage noxious plants such as spartina and purple loosestrife.
Noxious, invasive weeds overtake native plants, often forming single-species stands, reducing habitat for fish, waterfowl, aquatic mammals and invertebrates.  Read more here:
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/plants/weeds/exotic.html
The permit's new requirements include increased signage to inform people to stay out of areas where weeds have been treated.  Certain chemicals have been removed from the list of those allowed.
Also, the new revised permit no longer allows in-water weed treatment.
Only weeds near waters may be treated. A different permit, the Aquatic Plant and Algae Management Permit, covers in-water treatments for plants such as Eurasian watermilfoil.
You can find a copy of the permit here:
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/pesticides/final_pesticide_permits/noxious/noxious_index.html
The revised permit goes into effect Feb. 17.
If you have questions about the permit, email Kathy Hamel or call her at 360-407-6562.