When applying a chemical for fish control, what responsibility does the applicant have?

When applying a chemical for fish control, the applicant has the critical responsibility to prevent downstream contamination. This is vital because chemicals used for controlling fish populations can be harmful to aquatic ecosystems if they enter areas where non-target species live. Protecting downstream waters from contamination helps preserve biodiversity and maintains the health of other aquatic organisms and habitats.

The applicant must take necessary precautions to ensure that the chemical remains within the targeted area and does not disperse into surrounding waters. This might involve using barriers, managing water flows, and monitoring the application process to limit the extent of chemical exposure.

While monitoring fish populations, ensuring a complete kill, and reducing water temperature may be relevant actions in certain contexts, they do not address the overarching environmental responsibility to minimize harm to ecosystems beyond the targeted area, which is the primary duty of the applicant during such applications.