New York, federal officials to conduct lampricide treatment

PERU, N.Y. (WCAX) - Wildlife officials are planning to apply lampricide on the lower Ausable River in Peru, New York. on June 6th.

Officials say sea lamprey larvae live submerged in the sediment of rivers and deltas for years before transforming to their parasitic phase, and moving into Lake Champlain, where they take a toll on fish populations. A single lamprey can kill as much as 40 pounds of fish in a year.

Temporary water-use advisories will take effect to minimize human exposure. Advisories usually last between two and six days depending on the local conditions. Health officials say that water within the advisory zone should not be used for drinking, swimming, fishing, or livestock watering while these advisories are in effect.

Treatment dates rely on the weather and may change with short notice.

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