Commission staff say DEP’s planned chemical treatment would eliminate fish; residents seek details on impacts and restocking

Commission staff told the Pinelands Commission that a DEP application to chemically treat three lakes for invasive northern snakehead would likely eliminate all fish present in the treated ponds, and commissioners and residents pressed staff for follow-up information on restocking and potential residual effects.

April Beal (speaker 13) described a 1991 memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Department of Environmental Protection that streamlines aquatic pesticide applications: DEP accepts applications directly and notifies the commission, which then comments on rule consistency. The current DEP application covers three lakes in Waterford Township (one lake described as 1.44 acres; two others described as 6.91 acres each). Commission staff issued a March 2 memo saying the treatment did not raise CMP-rule issues but indicated DEP is investigating whether an upstream area might also qualify as a lake, which could change the permitting pathway.

When asked whether the chemical would affect only the invasive species or all fish, a staff member responding on behalf of management said, "the chemical that's being applied will essentially eliminate all fish that are in that pond. Any gill-breathing animal species fish will be eliminated," and acknowledged DEP’s position that drastic action may be needed to prevent spread. Commissioners and a caller asked whether the ponds would be restocked and whether residue would prevent restocking; staff said they would provide detailed follow-up information.

Members of the public from Monroe Township called later in the meeting about related concerns (and redevelopment/data-center-related questions), and staff offered to follow up by email with more detailed, case-specific answers.

What happens next: staff will provide more details to commissioners and the public on the chemical to be used, expected ecological effects, and whether restocking or residue issues are expected. DEP’s permitting and any additional upstream site determinations could alter the permitting pathway under the MOA.