Environmental leaders get ready for another round of lampricide treatments

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - Not today, lamprey. That’s the message from Vermont and New York environmental leaders as they bring in their latest round of lampricide treatments.

The interstate initiative will treat six tributaries to Lake Champlain across both states with lampricide to help control the sea lamprey population.

The invasive eels are parasitic and kill native fish species in the lake.

Last year marked the first time the organizations met their benchmark to decrease the number of lamprey wounds on lake trout and Atlantic salmon since the program began in 1990.

Officials ask people to avoid fishing, swimming, drinking or irrigating with treated waters for two to eight days after lampricide treatment, which is running from now through October.

Waterways scheduled to be treated include Putnam Creek, Mill Brook, Mount Hope Brook, the north mouth of the Ausable River, Poultney River and Lewis Creek.

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