It has come to the attention of a group of nonprofit and Connecticut state partners who have been working for years to address the spread of hydrilla, an aquatic invasive species, that a video and petition were released that offers an inaccurate representation of the project objectives and efficacy. While the hydrilla demonstration project is led and coordinated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New England, this statement is offered by the regional partners who have supported this work and are responding to address some of the comments.
Understanding Hydrilla
This aquatic invasive plant is documented in waterbodies including rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, and even reservoirs throughout the state of Connecticut, as far south as Essex CT and as far north as Agawam, MA. We have a genetically distinct strain of hydrilla—first discovered in the Connecticut River watershed in 2016 in Glastonbury—that reproduces aggressively through fragmentation, forming dense mats that degrade water quality and habitats by outcompeting native plants, reducing light infiltration, and altering pH, temperature, and oxygen concentration. Dense infestations can also create stagnant conditions that support mosquito breeding, potentially increasing public health risks associated with vector-borne transmission.
Hydrilla has already significantly impacted local biodiversity and fish populations, and previous efforts to manage the species through mechanical or non-herbicidal methods have not been effective as the plant continues to spread north in the Connecticut River as well as to lakes and ponds across the state. Boating in infested waters is one of the ways it spreads, as even very small fragments of the plant that remain on boats, kayaks, or canoes can be transferred to new bodies of water. This is why a “Clean, Drain, Dry” campaign was developed to inform boaters to ensure their boats are fully cleaned between uses.
The Herbicidal Demonstration Project
In partnership with the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station – Office of Aquatic Invasive Species (CAES-OAIS), and the Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments (RiverCOG), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and its Engineer Research and Development Center’s (ERDC) Aquatic Plant Control Research Program, are leading a demonstration project to determine the effectiveness of herbicides registered for aquatic use by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to safely reduce and control the spread of the Connecticut River hydrilla. The demonstration project, research, and extensive lab testing began in 2023 to guide operational scale field demonstrations of herbicide efficacy in 2024, with additional field demonstrations happening in 2025.
Nonprofit organizations including the Connecticut River Conservancy and Rivers Alliance, who have documented the ecologically harmful effects of hydrilla, support these efforts through research, outreach, education, advocacy, and volunteer engagement where appropriate.
A series of public meetings were held in 2023 and 2024 to inform and engage the public, all of which are outlined with documentation links, fact sheets, and other resources on the USACE website.
The 2025 public notice outlines plans for the field demonstrations, which are currently underway at a time of year when the plants are young and have not yet emerged with the density that typically arises in late summer. Any herbicides used will be limited, targeted treatments that are safe for the environment, native plants and wildlife, and human health. All projects must be permitted and go through a rigorous process to ensure as little harm as possible is done while addressing the highly detrimental issue of invasive species.
Environmental organizations do not typically endorse herbicidal use as a solution except in rare circumstances where all other efforts fail and a thoughtful, research-based approach can be gradually implemented with transparency, public awareness, and appropriate risk management.
Statement from scientists at Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station’s Office of Aquatic Invasive Species
“Scientists from the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station’s Office of Aquatic Invasive Species, want to address some of the misleading and inaccurate claims circulating about the herbicide treatment efforts in the Connecticut River. These efforts are not reckless, profit driven, or environmentally destructive. Rather, they are grounded in years of rigorous research, planning, and coordination across local, state, and federal levels, with oversight from agencies like the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the EPA. Portraying this as mass poisoning or chemical dumping reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of both the scale and methodology of what is actually happening.
One major misconception is that herbicides like diquat are being broadcast indiscriminately, killing all plant and animal life in the water. This is false. The herbicide application is precisely timed and spatially limited, guided by dye tracing and hydrological models that help us understand how water and herbicide move through the river system. The goal is to apply it in areas where hydrilla is most concentrated and vulnerable, while protecting native plants and sensitive species. In fact, both historical studies and our ongoing monitoring consistently show that native plant communities remain largely intact following treatment and often begin to rebound once hydrilla is suppressed.
Another misleading claim is that this effort is designed to enrich scientists or agencies. This is simply not true. None of the researchers or agency staff involved in this project receive personal profit from these activities. The funding, which comes primarily from federal sources secured with bipartisan support, is used for contract work, long-term scientific studies, public education efforts, and regulatory compliance. The suggestion that scientists are manipulating data or colluding for personal financial gain is not only unfounded but deeply disrespectful to the many public servants working in good faith to solve a real environmental crisis.
Some narratives rely heavily on anecdotal evidence and emotionally charged language, while disregarding peer-reviewed research, field data, and the ecological realities of invasive species management. This is a classic example of the appeal to fear fallacy, where complex environmental problems are simplified into conspiracies and worst-case hypothetical scenarios. It also makes a false dilemma argument, suggesting that we must choose between chemical treatment or doing nothing at all, when in reality, this work is part of an integrated management strategy that includes prevention, early detection, biological control, mechanical removal where feasible, and extensive public education.
Finally, there is an implied argument that natural is always better and that any human intervention in aquatic ecosystems is inherently harmful. While this view may be emotionally appealing, it ignores the fact that hydrilla is not natural to this ecosystem. It is a highly aggressive, non-native species that threatens to displace native vegetation, degrade water quality, impair recreation, and alter food webs that support fish, birds, and other wildlife.
Public involvement and open dialogue are vital to successful environmental management. But that dialogue must be grounded in facts, not fear, speculation, or misinformation. Selective herbicide use, when applied responsibly and evaluated through science, is one of the most effective tools we currently have to slow the spread of this destructive plant and protect the long-term health and use of Connecticut’s rivers and lakes.”
Statement from Former Legislator, advocate for hydrilla management, and Connecticut River Conservancy Trustee
“This is a time when legitimate scientists are being ignored and defunded. While social media has its advantages, we need to trust people who have spent years objectively and painstakingly studying an issue, and not believe conspiracy theorists whose tendency is to assume the worst in human nature. I have seen firsthand, and am deeply grateful for, the work of our environmental researchers. We need to let them lead the way. “
Statement from Rivers Alliance of Connecticut
“Invasive plants are much like cancer. Some cancers can be treated and cured with relatively minor interventions, such as laser treatments or small surgeries. Others spread so rapidly and aggressively that they require chemotherapy or radiation. These are harsh measures that are toxic to the human body that are not undertaken lightly; they follow extensive testing and plans to minimize harm to healthy tissue.
The Connecticut River strain of hydrilla is comparable to the most aggressive forms of cancer. Left unmanaged, it threatens to destroy the places we cherish and transform vibrant waterways into ecological dead zones. Contrary to the claims put forward recently on social media, this issue has been the subject of extensive research. Scientists and resource managers have spent years studying this unique strain of hydrilla and evaluating all possible management approaches. It is true that diquat is considered the “nuclear option,” but this was not a decision made impulsively or behind closed doors. It came only after thorough analysis and considerable public engagement.
Putting aside the misinformation and conspiracy theories circulating on this topic, I do want to thank Mr. Webby for drawing attention to the serious problem of aquatic invasive plants. The many individuals who signed the petition show just how deeply people care about our lakes, ponds, and rivers. I hope that Mr. Webby and all those moved by his message will continue their engagement by learning more about the complexities of managing aquatic invasives and pollution in our waters.
I encourage everyone concerned about our water bodies to channel their passion into volunteering or providing financial support for local organizations that are working on the ground to combat aquatic invasives—funding for this critical work is always in short supply.”
Statement from the Connecticut River Conservancy
“The Connecticut River Conservancy has been on the front lines of the hydrilla issue since it was first discovered in the watershed nearly 10 years ago. We’ve advocated for funding, supported research, and educated boaters to help prevent its spread.
As the infestation has grown, marina owners and municipalities have turned to us asking what can be done. We’ve urged patience and reliance on comprehensive, science-based research to ensure that any response minimizes harm to native plants, wildlife, and human health. This particular strain of hydrilla is unique, and our watershed is complex. The research led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been vital in identifying best practices rooted in science.
We’ve already learned a lot in the past two years and are encouraged by progress. Early findings show that targeted, limited herbicide treatments can be effective, and a key part of the research is ensuring these treatments cause no lasting harm to native species or ecosystems.
As environmentalists, using herbicides in waterways is the last thing we want. Our top priorities are preventing the spread of invasive species via boats or trailers, detecting infestations early, and responding quickly—before they reach the scale we’re seeing now. Herbicides are just one tool in a broader integrated management plan.
We’re grateful that public awareness is growing and encourage everyone to attend public meetings and stay informed about the health of our waterways. Addressing aquatic invasive species is a significant challenge and requires deep collaboration and trust across government agencies, nonprofits, community leaders, and the public. When research-based projects like this move forward, they are taken seriously by the scientific community and undergo careful review. While herbicide use is a rare, last-resort strategy, there is a broad range of prevention and management approaches the public can learn about and support.”
Additional Resources
USACE Field Demonstration website
USACE Fact Sheet on Herbicides
More information about hydrilla
Video from 2021 documenting hydrilla: