HRM release:

In recent years, yellow floating heart, an invasive plant species, has spread throughout Little Albro Lake, significantly impacting its natural ecosystem. Following a pilot study on efforts to prevent the spread of this invasive plant in 2021, the Halifax Regional Municipality is working with the Province of Nova Scotia to apply an approved selective herbicide to prevent yellow floating heart from spreading to other lakes in the Halifax region.

Targeted herbicide application will take place in Little Albro Lake between September 10 – 30, 2024. Signage is posted at public access points to the lake. Signs will be updated with orange stickers while the herbicide application is in progress, and for at least seven days following the application. The herbicide will be applied beneath the water surface and will not be applied to the land surrounding the lake.

This work aligns with goals of the municipality’s Integrated Pest Management Strategy, which provides guidelines to identify when and how invasive pests are to be managed. As Little Albro Lake is the primary site affected by yellow floating heart, eradicating the plant from this lake will greatly reduce the risk of potential spread into other lakes and bodies of water.

When applied beneath the surface of the water, ProcellaCOR FX (PCP Registration #34732) targets the root systems of broad-leaved plants. While Health Canada has determined that risks to humans and other mammals associated with contacting ProcellaCOR FX are negligible, out of an abundance of caution, public access to the lake will be restricted during this period.

This work is being completed with approval from Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) pursuant to Section 19(3) of the Aquatic Invasive Species Regulations (file #23-IMAR-00001) and from Nova Scotia Environment & Climate Change pursuant to Part V of the Environment Act, SNS 1994-95, c.1 s.1 (approval #00062356).

More information on yellow floating heart is available here.