Kodiak conservation district seeks permit to spray glyphosate in Buskin watershed

The Kodiak Soil and Water Conservation District has applied to the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation for a permit to apply aquatic herbicide in the Lower Buskin and Lake Orbin watersheds to control invasive Reed Canarygrass. The Buskin River is one of Kodiak's most heavily used sport and subsistence fisheries.

ADEC describes Reed Canarygrass as an invasive plant that can grow abundantly, displace native plants, affect streamflow, and degrade habitat for various species. According to ADEC, "Physical or mechanical controls have been found to be ineffective with this grass, as the thick root mat allows for repopulation."

If ADEC approves the permit, applications of Roundup Custom, whose active ingredient is glyphosate, could occur between May 15 and October 30. The application falls under ADEC's Pesticide General Permit framework, which authorizes point-source discharges of pesticides to waters of the United States in Alaska.