Weed council seeks property owners help on private treatment info

By Maurice Emery
Editor

It is that time of year again when Lake Gaston property owners are trying to figure out if they will be part of the Lake Gaston Weed Control Councils (LGWCC) annual weed treatment plan or if they will have to seek alternative treatment.  During last weeks quarterly meeting in response to a question from Vernon Wilson of the Lake Gaston Association aquatic vegetation committee,  Council President Dr. Elton Brown used the opportunity to discuss the problem of finding out who has done

private treatments. 

The original question dealt with the process or procedure that should be followed when private applicators are hired by property owners or Home Owners Associations.  According to the guidelines from Dominion private applicators are required to inform Dominion when and where they are treating the lake with chemicals. When they do this then the Weed Council knows what areas are being treated in addition to the public treatment. This will help them keep records of the success of treatment on the lake. 

At the weed meeting the question was raised regarding liability if a private applicator causes damage to the lake.  It was recommended that anyone who hires a private contractor make sure the contractor has notified Dominion.  It was recommended that the best way to do this would be to have the contractor provide a letter or some other proof that they have made the proper notification. 

There needs to be some proof that the applicator has done the stated requirements.  If private applicator goes out does something that causes a problem then they are responsible not the weed council. 

“Litigation being litigation I certainly would recommend the [homeowners] boards know they are covered,” stated Dr. Brown when talking about liability insurance for homeowners associations. 

It is apparent that the weed council is trying to find ways to insure that there is a record of anyone putting chemicals into the lake, for everyone’s protection.  Both North Carolina and Virginia have laws prohibiting anyone but licensed applicators to put chemicals into the lake.

The Dominion web site provides the following information regarding private treatment:  

Notification of intention to treat [aquatic weeds] shall be made to Dominion. Dominion may be contacted at (252) 535-6161. The following information is required:

a. Name of home / property owner

b. Phone number

c. Location to be treated

            1 Subdivision

            2 Address

            3 Lot number

d. Name of Contractor applying chemical control

e. Phone number of contractor

f. Type of herbicide to be used

g. Date of anticipated herbicide application.

g. Application area (ft2).

h. Plant species targeted.

i. Treatment chemical.

Once Dominion receives the information they are required to notify the weed council to insure that areas are not double treated.