Lampricide Treatment – Baraga County

 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service personnel will apply lampricides to the Ravine River (BaragaCounty) to kill sea lamprey larvae burrowed in the stream bottom. Applications will be conducted between July 30 – August 8, 2024, in accordance with State of Michigan permits.Application dates are tentative and may be changed based upon local weather or stream conditions near the time of treatment. 
Sea lamprey larvae live in certain Great Lakes tributaries and transform to parasitic juveniles that migrate to the Great Lakes and kill fish. Failure to kill sea lamprey larvae in streams would result in significant damage to the Great Lakes fishery. Infested tributaries must be treated every three to five years with lampricides to control sea lamprey populations.Extensive preparations are required for a safe and effective stream treatment. Prior to treatment, trained personnel collect data on stream water chemistry and discharge. In addition, they mayconduct on-site toxicity tests and stream flow studies with dyes that cause stream water to appear red or green.Lampricides are carefully metered into the stream for approximately 12 hours, and continuallyanalyzed at predetermined sites to ensure proper concentrations are maintained as thelampricides are carried downstream. Applicators are trained and are certified by regulatoryagencies for aquatic applications of pesticides. 
The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency and Health Canada Pest Management RegulatoryAgency have reviewed human health and environmental safety data for lampricides, and in2003 concluded that the lampricides (Lampricide and Bayluscide) pose no unreasonable risk tothe general population and the environment when applied at concentrations necessary to control larval sea lampreys. However, as with any pesticide, the public is advised to use discretion and minimize unnecessary exposure. 
Lampricides are selectively toxic to sea lampreys, but a few fish, insect, and broadleaf plants are sensitive. Persons confining bait fish or other organisms in stream water are advised to use an alternate water source because lampricides may cause mortality among aquatic organisms stressed by crowding and handling. Agricultural irrigation must be suspended for 24 hours, during and following treatment. 
The program is contracted through the Great Lakes Fishery Commission to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The Commission initiated chemical controlof sea lampreys in 1958. Since that time, the highly successful program has contributed significantly to the maintenance of the $7 billion Great Lakes sport and commercial fisheries. 
For additional information in the U.S. call 1-800-472-9212 and in Canada call 1-800-553-9091. TTY users may reach the Marquette or Ludington Biological Stations through the Michigan State Relay Service at 1-800-649-3777.—