Wow! Not sure how this thread turned so political-philosophical but, I'm interested in the science and practical application stuff as a rank amateur trying to get rid of some bad plants.
I won't do anything that I think might harm my water and my fish 'cause that's what I'm doing all of the work for.
So, we've been using the "cut-and-paint" method with good results. We just make sure that it's not likely to rain for a couple of days and the wind is not blowing towards the water. The cut-and-paint is really hardly any extra trouble because you're going to have to cut it down after it dies anyway. Saves on chemicals and gives immediate aesthetic results too. Also feels a lot safer around my water.
