Chemical Control Considerations
These considerations are not meant to replace or contradict the EPA approved label. Always read and follow the pesticide label for each product used.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) determine which herbicides are registered for use in Florida's waters. This section addresses the many parameters considered by FWC biologists when issuing permits for aquatic plant control using herbicides, and when developing management plans for public lakes and rivers for which FWC is responsible. Management objectives are influenced by public uses and the ecological functions of water bodies and watersheds. Expectations and outcomes are influenced by the interactions among herbicides and environmental factors for each control event.
These considerations reflect nearly forty years of research and operational experience in managing aquatic plants in Florida waters. The importance of each parameter varies for different herbicides.