Bathymetric Lake Mapping

News & Notes

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May, 2010: Allied Biological returns to Connecticut
After a 10-year hiatus, Allied Biological is once again offering our lake and wetland management services in the state of Connecticut. We are listed as a registered pesticide applicator business, and also represent Cabela’s Trophy Properties as a Habitat Services Provider.

April, 2010: Allied Biological registers to work in Vermont
This Spring, Allied Biological registered to conduct our lake and wetland management programs in the state of Vermont. We are registered as a Pesticide Application business, and are also registered with the state as a provider of hydro-raking services. Vermont clients will be serviced by biologist Steve Wilson out of his upstate NY office.

July 2009: NPDES Permits for aquatic pesticides? Not till April 2011!- Many of our clients using aquatic herbicides as management tools have been keeping a close eye on the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals this Spring. The 6th Circuit has heard the appeal of an earlier decision by the 9th Circuit Court that allowed EPA to rule that a Clean Water Act permit is not required to apply aquatic herbicides or algaecides.

This past January, the 6th Circuit declared that the EPA’s decision was not a reasonable interpretation of the Clean Water Act, and vacated the rule, effectively requiring National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for all aquatic pesticide applications. Specifically, the three-judge panel said that EPA must require an NPDES permit for any application of pesticides made to, over or near any bodies of water. Although the original suit was brought to tighten restrictions on farmers, the language incorporates all aquatic pesticide applications.

Before this took affect, two things occurred. The EPA asked the Court to “stay the mandate”, allowing time for states and the EPA to develop general NPDES permits for aquatic products. Also, industry groups filed for the Court to rehear the case with new information that was provided.

On June 8th 2009, the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals denied the request for rehearing, but has issued a stay of the mandate, to vacate the 2006 EPA Final Pesticide Rule, until April 9, 2011. This means that at this time and until April, 2011, no NPDES permits are needed to perform aquatic pesticide applications. This delay will allow the EPA to work with states to come up with a streamlined process of NPDES permitting. It is expected that states like New Jersey and New York, that have permit programs for aquatic pesticides may already come close to meeting NPDES requirements.

March 2009: 2006 USEPA Final Rule on Aquatic Pesticides Vacated- On January 19, 2006, EPA received petitions for review of their Aquatic Pesticides Final Rule from both environmental and industry groups. The Final Rule exempted those who apply pesticides directly on or near water sources from Clean Water Act (CWA) permitting requirements, as long as the pesticides were applied in accordance with the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). On January 7, 2009 the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals held that the Final Rule was not a reasonable interpretation of the Clean Water Act and vacated the Rule.

The court's decision, which applies nationally, is effective when the mandate takes effect. The mandate takes effect seven days after the deadline for rehearing expires or seven days after a denial of any petition for rehearing. Parties have until April 9, 2009 to seek rehearing. The EPA, working with Department of Justice, is reviewing the opinion and considering next steps.

Pending the effective date of the court's decision, the current Aquatic Pesticides Final Rule remains in effect and CWA- National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits are not required for pesticide products that are applied in accordance with the product's FIFRA label.

While EPA is evaluating the complete implications of the Court's decision, it is clear that if the mandate takes effect, NPDES permits will be required for pesticides applied directly to water to control pests and/or applied to control pests that are present in, over or near waters.

What does this mean? For the time being New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey are issuing aquatic pesticide permits in anticipation that the Courts will continue to review this finding. If it is determined that NPDES permits are needed, statewide or national permits are likely to be developed, possibly eliminating the need for individual, site-specific permits.

Since our three states of operation already have permit programs in place, these programs may be adapted to include the necessary NPDES approval. While we hope that the transition to this process would be seamless, if it does occur, there is the possibility that there may be some disruption in the aquatic pesticide approval process in the next 12-18 months. Stay tuned. (Allied Biological)

January 2009: Allied Biological Among Nation's Elite Aquatic Environmental Stewards, Hackettstown, NJ – Throughout the 12-year history of SePRO Corporation’s Preferred Aquatic Applicator program, only the top companies in the aquatic plant management industry from around the country have gained and maintained membership in the distinguished organization. Companies who are invited to become SePRO Preferred Applicators receive specialized training and access to product and service information directly from SePRO and are required to complete several annual industry building and training activities in order to become and remain a part of this exclusive association.

Allied Biological, a Preferred Applicator company since 1996 recently attended SePRO’s 2008 Advanced Seminar on Aquatic Plant Management, which focused on the latest advances in sustainable practices and technical solutions for aquatic ecosystem restoration. The seminar, “Advancing Our Sustainable Future,” featured techniques through which a Preferred Applicator company can maintain long-term success both as a business and as a cutting-edge, technologically-advanced aquatic plant management enterprise.

Allied Biological was honored with additional recognition at the seminar as a recipient of the 2008 “Sustainable Leadership” Award. The two winners of this award were recognized for overall excellence in programs and management solutions that work in conjunction with government agencies, lake associations and private property owners to protect and restore aquatic ecosystems. Allied Biological was lauded for its continued leadership in sustainable management practices which protect aquatic environments and advance a sustainable future for its business and employees as well as the entire aquatics industry.

All SePRO Preferred Applicators are committed to protecting, restoring and enhancing valuable water resources, an essential element of a sustainable global future. Their dedication to serving the aquatics industry and the environment is reflected by a shared interest in utilizing the latest advances in training, technology and sustainable solutions. Allied Biological is proud to be part of a select group of professionals throughout the United States whom SePRO has recognized as the very best in the industry.

November 2008: Chris Doyle Receives CLM Honor - This fall, Allied Biological’s Christopher Doyle, was awarded the North American Lake Management Society’s “Certified Lake Manager” designation. Chris is ABI’s Water Quality Program Supervisor and Senior Aquatic Biologist. Through extensive educational and field experiences, Certified Lake Managers like Chris, have proven an exceptional knowledge of all facets of lake management, including water resource and watershed science, business management and regulatory affairs. Few professionals hold this certification in New Jersey; Chris is only one of four. He joins Glenn Sullivan as Allied Biological’s second NALMS Certified Lake Manager.

October 2008: Controlling Invasives in NY

NYSDEC Announces Invasive Species Funding for 2009- NYSDEC Terrestrial Invasive Species Eradication Grant Program is now accepting grant applications. Click here to view an application and instructions.

New Invasive Species Finding in NY- The first infestation of hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) in New York was confirmed in Creamery Pond in Orange County late this summer. More than 50% of the 5-acre pond is occupied by this exotic species. Shortly after its documentation in Creamery Pond, hydrilla was discovered in 2 of the 11 ponds within the Sans Souci Lake Nature Preserve in Suffolk County, NY. NYSDEC is requesting immediate action be taken at Creamery Pond by conducting a fall 2008 herbicide treatment followed by an additional treatment in the spring of 2009 with subsequent grass carp stocking. Similar priority is being given to the Nature Preserve with management methodologies to be implemented in 2009 now being discussed.

September 2008: Stephen Wilson Ties the Knot- On September 13, 2008, Allied Biological’s Stephen Wilson married fiancé Ericka Sommers. Stephen and Ericka took their vows at Penn State University, Ericka’s alma matar and where the couple met in 2001. They’re starting their married life together in Maryland, NY, where Stephen operates the Allied Biological satellite office and Ericka is employed as an operating room scheduler at a local hospital. Congratulations and best wishes to the happy couple!

August 2008: Lack of Rain & Your Lake - The 2008 growing season has seen little rainfall when compared to the 2006 and 2007 seasons. Allied Biological field crews as well as lake residents have reported lower lake levels, which in some cases may be resulting in additional plant and algae growth as light reaches the bottom more easily and water temperatures increase. Precipitation data for the 2006-2008 recreational/growing seasons is offered below for some selected areas. Precipitation is shown in inches.

*Rainfall data as of 8/27/08.
To view your county’s current drought status, please visit these websites:
For New Jersey click here
For New York click here
For Pennsylvania click here

(Source of data: Office of NJ State Climatologist Rutgers University and The Weather Channel Interactive Inc.)

May 2008: Water Quality Charts on the Web – A quick assessment of your lake’s health can be determined by monitoring two things: water clarity and dissolved oxygen. We have posted on our website graphs charting these two key parameters measured at 100 of our lakes during the 2007 growing season. These charts and valuable information on how to interpret water clarity and dissolved oxygen results can be found under the Water Quality Assessment & Monitoring section of our website.

March 2008: Allied Biological awarded 250+ acre Renovate OTF application in New York - Allied Biological was recently awarded a bid by Schuyler County to eradicate the invasive plant Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) in 639-acre Lamoka and 813-acre Waneta Lake using Renovate 3 and Renovate OTF. These lakes, located within the Finger Lakes region of New York west of Watkins Glen, will be the first ever to receive applications of Renovate OTF in the state. Renovate has a proven track record of controlling watermilfoil in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and other states throughout the country. Excited about the opportunity to provide a new technology management alternative for this ever-growing problem in New York, Allied is slated to begin work in late April or early May 2008.

February, 2008: Allied Biological to exhibit at Regional Shows – Allied Biological will be exhibiting at two regional shows this Spring. Allied will be at booth #724 at The World Fishing & Outdoor Exposition at Rockland Community College in Suffern, NY from Feb. 28- March 2, 2008. Later in March, Allied will exhibit at the Syracuse Home and Garden Show in Syracuse, NY. Both exhibits will feature mapping services and the Cabela’s Lake Mapping Program, and mapping discounts will be available.

January, 2008: New Office Opens in Milford, New York – We are happy to announce that Allied Biological has put down roots in upstate New York. In order to better serve our New York customers, Allied Biological has opened a satellite office in Milford, New York, just south of Cooperstown. Field services for NYS DEC regions 4-8 will be run out of this location. Most of Allied Biological’s services will be available through this office, including water quality assessment, aquatic herbicide application, hydro-raking, Fisheries assessment and stocking, aquatic plant mapping and Cabela’s Lake Mapping Services. The office will be run by Steve Wilson, an Aquatic Biologist with a degree in Fisheries Science from Tennessee Technological University. Steve can be emailed directly at steve@alliedbiological.com.

January, 2008: Sullivan passes President’s gavel – At the January, 2008 Northeast Aquatic Plant Management Society conference in Mount Snow, VT., ABI President Glenn Sullivan passed on his NEAPMS Presidential role to ACT’s Marc Bellaud. Glenn will continue to be an active Board member as Current Past President and Chair of Local Arrangements, as well as a member of the Liason and Membership Commmittees.

November, 2007: New Jersey’s Highlands Council Addresses Lakes – The Highlands Council has prepared a draft RMP Program: Lake Management Area. This document focuses on shoreline protections for lakes in the Highlands area. The November 7, 2007 version can be viewed by clicking here.

October, 2007: Allied Biological partners with Cabelas Lake Mapping Program – Allied Biological has joined the Cabela’s Trophy Properties team as a Lake Mapping Partner. Allied’s exclusive territory covers northern New Jersey and all of Eastern and Central New York. Using Cabela’s technology, Allied Biological can now produce extremely accurate lake bottom contour maps at an affordable price.

June 2007 : Glenmere Lake and the Northern Cricket Frog
Glenmere Lake, which supplies water to the Village of Florida (NY), suffers from eutrophication and the infestation of the invasive weed Eurasian Watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum). The lake also serves as recreation for Florida and two neighboring towns. Eurasian watermilfoil impedes recreation in the lake and presents a long-term risk to water quality and capacity. In 2007, Allied Biological was tasked with assessing the various plant management options for the lake, which is also reported to support a population of the Northern Cricket Frog (Acris crepitans), a rare species in New York. As part of the assessment Allied Biological surveyed the lake to determine if the Northern Cricket Frog was still present since it was last documented in the lake in 1993.

By conducting an auditory survey in the overnight hours in mid-June , Allied Biological confirmed that the Northern Cricket Frog still inhabited Glenmere Lake, primarily in the southwest and south basins. No frogs were heard in the seven sample points in the main basin of the lake. Their absence in the main basin was expected since this part of the lake supports considerably less emergent aquatic vegetation and Northern Cricket Frogs generally chorus from mats of floating vegetation. The northern Cricket Frog is carnivorous, feeding mainly on terrestrial insects.

The next task facing the Village of Florida and the NYSDEC is to determine how to protect the frog, the native plant community of the lake and the Village’s water supply capability.