12-07-2006, 06:10 PM
DIAMOND LAKE -Today, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife staff are applying rotenone to Diamond Lake , a high-mountain lake in southwestern Oregon , to kill the invasive tui chub that have drastically degraded water quality and destroyed one of the state's most popular fisheries.
The tui chub, a species of minnow, are native to the Klamath Basin but not to Diamond Lake . They were likely brought to the lake by anglers as live bait, which is illegal in Oregon 's freshwater fisheries. Since the fish were discovered in the lake in the 1990s, they have rapidly proliferated, impacting water quality and upsetting the lake's ecosystem.
"We are pleased to be actively working on restoring Diamond Lake's water quality," said Steve Denney , ODFW southwest regional manager. "It will take one or two days to get the rotenone into the lake. We have a well-trained crew on the ground and are confident the plan we have in place is 100 percent safe and effective."
Rotenone, a plant substance, has been approved as a fish toxicant by the Environmental Protection Agency. At the concentrations used to kill fish, rotenone is not toxic to humans, other mammals and birds. It completely breaks down in the environment and will not be detectable within weeks of treatment.
"This is an important day for Oregonians. The recovery of Diamond Lake is good news for the boaters, anglers and vacationers who come to the lake year after year to enjoy the beauty of the area," said State Representative Susan Morgan. "It is also critically important to the economy of Douglas County ."
ODFW, Umpqua National Forest , Douglas County and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality conducted extensive public meetings and an environmental impact study before the current course of action was decided upon. It is supported by the Oregon Wildlife Heritage Foundation and numerous clubs, organizations, businesses and individuals.
In spring 2007, ODFW will stock Diamond Lake with about 75,000 catchable trout and 75,000 fingerlings.
The tui chub, a species of minnow, are native to the Klamath Basin but not to Diamond Lake . They were likely brought to the lake by anglers as live bait, which is illegal in Oregon 's freshwater fisheries. Since the fish were discovered in the lake in the 1990s, they have rapidly proliferated, impacting water quality and upsetting the lake's ecosystem.
"We are pleased to be actively working on restoring Diamond Lake's water quality," said Steve Denney , ODFW southwest regional manager. "It will take one or two days to get the rotenone into the lake. We have a well-trained crew on the ground and are confident the plan we have in place is 100 percent safe and effective."
Rotenone, a plant substance, has been approved as a fish toxicant by the Environmental Protection Agency. At the concentrations used to kill fish, rotenone is not toxic to humans, other mammals and birds. It completely breaks down in the environment and will not be detectable within weeks of treatment.
"This is an important day for Oregonians. The recovery of Diamond Lake is good news for the boaters, anglers and vacationers who come to the lake year after year to enjoy the beauty of the area," said State Representative Susan Morgan. "It is also critically important to the economy of Douglas County ."
ODFW, Umpqua National Forest , Douglas County and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality conducted extensive public meetings and an environmental impact study before the current course of action was decided upon. It is supported by the Oregon Wildlife Heritage Foundation and numerous clubs, organizations, businesses and individuals.
In spring 2007, ODFW will stock Diamond Lake with about 75,000 catchable trout and 75,000 fingerlings.