Converted
04-22-2005, 03:25 PM
Members, Your immediate help is needed!
As you know UW-F has been pressing the hydrilla control issue and it is starting to pay off. Now comes the hard part... The details!
UW-F has received a written request from the FWC to help them develop site specific hydrilla and tussock control decisions for consideration by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Specifically we have been asked to provide suggested locations to allow hydrilla to top out and be completely untreated. :icon_salu Also needed is site specific tussock (large rafts of floating aquatic vegation) control suggestions. This information is to be used for the '05/'06 season. Input is needed by Friday May 6, '05
For this stage of the battle FWC is working with DEP. ONLY LAKES MANAGED BY DEP ARE TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS LIST. For example, the St Johns river system roughly north of Lake Poinsett is managed by the Corp of Engineers. That area will be a seperate battle. Water Management District properties i.e. Stick Marsh are also a seperate issue. Additionally we've been told the areas must be public lakes or river systems with public boat ramps.
Obviously we cannot suggest leaving hydrilla near water control structures, boat ramps, main access points, channels or canals. Also portions of lakes with a large number of private docks are not appropriate areas for hydrilla to be left unchecked.
A good example of the types of areas we are talking about would be the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes (Kissimmee, West Lake Toho, Cypress, Hatchineha), Lake Walk-in-Water (a.k.a.L. Weohyakapka), Lake Istokpoga, Lake Sampson, and Lake Rowell.
What we need... Those who know these lakes need to get together and markup a map or chart of the lake with areas where the hydrilla should be left untreated. These maps will be forwarded to the FWC to assist them in making specific recommendations to DEP for spraying THIS YEAR. A copy of the FWC proposals will be made available for public comment.
Tussock control is also to be considered. We have learned that DEP likely will have an unusually large amount of funding available in FY 2005-06 to control tussocks (floating islands of vegetation, or thick vegetation that could become tussocks) in public water water bodies. Again, the eligible water bodies would be public lakes with a public boat ramp. This does not include Water Management District managed properties (for example, Stick Marsh, Emeralda Marsh Conservation Area) or Corps of Engineers-managed areas (like the lower St. Johns River system roughly north of Lake Poinsett). The FWC would like to see much of this money spent to benefit fish and wildlife habitat. They are looking for our specific suggestions of locations on public water bodies where excessive tussocs or extensive thick/rank vegetation is impeding access to duck hunters or is degrading waterfowl habitat.
Many duck hunters around the state have been complaining about aquatic weed control during the winter migration for years. Duck hunters are now being asked for input. If this has been an issue for you, please take the time over the next 2 weeks and help UW-f help you.
If you do not know who manages a particilur lake or river system, please contact me and I'll try to find out if it is eligible for consideration in this program.
As you know UW-F has been pressing the hydrilla control issue and it is starting to pay off. Now comes the hard part... The details!
UW-F has received a written request from the FWC to help them develop site specific hydrilla and tussock control decisions for consideration by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Specifically we have been asked to provide suggested locations to allow hydrilla to top out and be completely untreated. :icon_salu Also needed is site specific tussock (large rafts of floating aquatic vegation) control suggestions. This information is to be used for the '05/'06 season. Input is needed by Friday May 6, '05
For this stage of the battle FWC is working with DEP. ONLY LAKES MANAGED BY DEP ARE TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS LIST. For example, the St Johns river system roughly north of Lake Poinsett is managed by the Corp of Engineers. That area will be a seperate battle. Water Management District properties i.e. Stick Marsh are also a seperate issue. Additionally we've been told the areas must be public lakes or river systems with public boat ramps.
Obviously we cannot suggest leaving hydrilla near water control structures, boat ramps, main access points, channels or canals. Also portions of lakes with a large number of private docks are not appropriate areas for hydrilla to be left unchecked.
A good example of the types of areas we are talking about would be the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes (Kissimmee, West Lake Toho, Cypress, Hatchineha), Lake Walk-in-Water (a.k.a.L. Weohyakapka), Lake Istokpoga, Lake Sampson, and Lake Rowell.
What we need... Those who know these lakes need to get together and markup a map or chart of the lake with areas where the hydrilla should be left untreated. These maps will be forwarded to the FWC to assist them in making specific recommendations to DEP for spraying THIS YEAR. A copy of the FWC proposals will be made available for public comment.
Tussock control is also to be considered. We have learned that DEP likely will have an unusually large amount of funding available in FY 2005-06 to control tussocks (floating islands of vegetation, or thick vegetation that could become tussocks) in public water water bodies. Again, the eligible water bodies would be public lakes with a public boat ramp. This does not include Water Management District managed properties (for example, Stick Marsh, Emeralda Marsh Conservation Area) or Corps of Engineers-managed areas (like the lower St. Johns River system roughly north of Lake Poinsett). The FWC would like to see much of this money spent to benefit fish and wildlife habitat. They are looking for our specific suggestions of locations on public water bodies where excessive tussocs or extensive thick/rank vegetation is impeding access to duck hunters or is degrading waterfowl habitat.
Many duck hunters around the state have been complaining about aquatic weed control during the winter migration for years. Duck hunters are now being asked for input. If this has been an issue for you, please take the time over the next 2 weeks and help UW-f help you.
If you do not know who manages a particilur lake or river system, please contact me and I'll try to find out if it is eligible for consideration in this program.