Three emergent plants are almost always the target when emergent plant control is desired, primarily because their ability to take over a shallow water/wetland area. These plants are phragmites, or common reed, purple loosestrife and cattail. These plants often encroach on a boat launch area, and in the case of phragmites and purple loosestrife, invade and crowd out native plants in a wetland, which reduces the wetlands's value to animals using it. A Permit for Use of an Algicide, Herbicide or Fish Control Chemical in Waters of the Commonwealth is required if the control area contains water.

The person or group responsible for the lake or pond must complete a permit application and send it to:

Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
Division of Environmental Services
595 E. Rolling Ridge Dr.
Bellefonte, PA 16823

An application may be obtained from this address or online.

The Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) reviews the permit for completeness, correctness of chemical choice for the plant to be controlled, appropriateness of the dose and treatments proposed, potential non-target impacts in the water body and downstream, and potential impacts on recreational users of the water body.

The application is sent to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) - Bureau of Water Supply Management for review of chemical choice and dose, and potential impacts on drinking water supplies. When the applicant receives a permit signed by both PFBC and DEP, the approved treatment can occur.

The most commonly used chemical for emergent plants is Rodeo ®.