ONONDAGA COUNTY — Swimmers, fishers and boaters of the waterways in northern Onondaga County are familiar with the invasive species Trapa natans— commonly known as the water chestnut — which choke out native aquatic plants and pose obstacles to boats.
In years past, New York State provided some funding to the Onondaga County Health Department to spray the Seneca River with herbicide to keep water chestnuts at bay. While the state withdrew funding earlier this year, Onondaga County has committed $50,000 toward removing water chestnuts and their seeds, which have a life cycle of 12 years.
County Executive Ryan McMahon announced the investment Aug. 12 at Eno Point on Cross Lake in Jordan.
“This is also pushing into the Seneca River all the way through Baldwinsville into the town of Clay, and so it really prohibits free-flowing use of the waterways,” McMahon said, according to WAER.
McMahon also commended the efforts of volunteers who hand-pulled 30,000 pounds of water chestnuts from the Seneca River and Cross Lake.
First District County Legislator Brian May, whose district includes the town of Lysander and the western portion of the town of Clay, worked with fellow Legislator Ken Bush Jr. to secure funding for water chestnut remediation in the county budget. Bush represents the 13th District, which includes Van Buren, Camillus and Jordan-Elbridge.
“We were successful in procuring an additional $50,000 toward the problem this year. We also announced new efforts to make funding remediation more sustainable in the future,” May wrote in an email to the Messenger. “It appears the state has determined this will be a local responsibility going forward, which is sad when you think about it.”
Water chestnuts grow into large mats rooted to the bottom of shallow lakes, ponds and river. Each rosette produces as many as 20 spiny nuts that can injure swimmers. When water chestnuts decompose, they can reduce oxygen and kill aquatic life.
The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation encourages boaters and fishers to properly drain, dry and decontaminate their equipment, trailers and boats to reduce the spread of aquatic invasive species. To learn more, visit dec.ny.gov/docs/lands_forests_pdf/aiswatercfs.pdf.
