Board okays $3,500 contract to remove cattails; aquatic herbicide proposal tabled until dredging is finished

The Vermillion County Drainage Board approved a $3,500 contract for Eric Smith to remove cattails and haul plant material from county ponds, and postponed a separate aquatic herbicide program until the board can reassess treatment needs after the mechanical cleanup.

Eric Smith’s quote — to drag cattails out of ponds and haul the material off site — was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote during the meeting. Board members said mechanical removal first would increase the likelihood that a follow-up herbicide treatment would be effective and hoped to inspect results before committing additional funds.

A separate proposal from an aquatic-control vendor called for two herbicide treatments during the 2025 season, separated by about four to five weeks, with a minimum 90% kill guarantee in the treatment areas; the vendor’s quote was $963 (plus state sales tax noted in the packet). The vendor’s proposal excluded removal of dead plant material, which the board planned to address with the mechanical removal contract already approved.

Board members discussed timing and the appropriate sequence of operations: several preferred dredging and mechanical removal first, followed by targeted herbicide application once shoots emerged and were reachable. One member suggested waiting to see how much of the cattail biomass Eric can remove in the coming weeks and to decide on herbicide treatment at or before the June meeting.

The board tabled the aquatic herbicide contract pending Eric’s dredging work and additional information about what remains to be sprayed. Staff was directed to monitor the cleanup and to present a recommendation at the next meeting or earlier if conditions warrant.