An aerial black fly suppression operation has been scheduled for Thursday, May 28 on the Youghiogheny River, Kiskiminetas River, Conemaugh River, and Loyalhanna Creek. This operation will begin at 1500, weather permitting, in Fayette County, move towards Armstrong County and end in Blairsville. Flights will be conducted in Fayette, Westmoreland, Armstrong, and Indiana Counties. The helicopter conducting the treatment will be a Hiller UH-12ET with the tail numbers 3324F and is white with a brown stripe.
A hand-treatment has also been scheduled for today on the Upper Loyalhanna Creek. Work will involve application of Vectobac 12AS from bridges crossing the creek from Ligonier to Latrobe. A Blue DEP vehicle labeled BU6464 will be nearby the applications. The work will be conducted starting after 1000 today.
Summit Helicopters will be dispersing Vectobac 12AS, which is a Bti product manufactured by Valent Biosciences. Bti is short for Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis, which is a bacterial larvicide, not a chemical, and is the only product used in Pennsylvania's waterways for black fly suppression. Vectobac 12AS is a thick brown liquid resembling chocolate milk. The helicopter will fly low near tree top level and release the Vectobac 12AS at various predetermined positions on each stream.
If you have any questions regarding this operation or the Program in general, please contact me at 412-442-4138 or email me at [email protected]
Stacey Greenwald | Water Quality Specialist Supervisor
Department of Environmental Protection | Clean Water Program
400 Waterfront Drive | Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Phone: 412.442.4138 | Fax: 412.442.4328