AQUATIC  VEGETATION MANAGEMENT

C I T Y  O F  S U N R I S E  B E A C H  V I L L A G E 124 Sunrise Drive Sunrise Beach Village, Texas  78643-9283 Phone 325 388-6438 / FAX 325 388-6973 E-mail: srbv@cityofsunrisebeach.org Contacts: Pat Frain, Mayor; Hans Schneider, Secretary

 VEGETATION

MANAGEMENT

March 2, 2007

A “LAKE ADVISORY PANEL” was constituted by LCRA some years ago for the purpose of communicating better with owners of property along the waterways and lakes under LCRA jurisdiction. This panel meets once most months and Hans Schneider is currently representing Sunrise Beach Village on this panel.

Various citizens have expressed their concern over aquatic vegetation choking their access to boat docks/slips, etc. These concerns were relayed to the Lake Advisory Panel and LCRA organized 2 sessions to educate us in all matters related to these issues. Offered here is a synopsis that is deemed useful to waterfront property owners that plan to address these problems.

It is important to understand that this information is disseminated solely as a service to the public, as a guide based on the understanding gleaned from these session and is in no way to be construed as a recommendation nor as a guarantee of performance, nor as an endorsement of certain products and/or their respective manufacturers.

To start, anyone wishing to learn more about aquatic vegetation in Texas can avail himself of the very useful information offered on-line by the INLAND FISHERIES section of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department: click on the link below http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_pl_t3200_1066.pdf

A little background helps the understanding of actions (or no actions) those of us might be observing in our daily lives around the lakes:

1. LCRA employs chemists and biologists to stay on top of the issues that arise from its mission to “manage” the water resources under its jurisdiction:

a.             a healthy environment;

b.             a safe source of drinking water;

c.              safe and healthy recreational opportunities and

d.             conservation of these resources.

2. In these matters LCRA works hand-in-hand with the TPWD and TCEQ (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality).

3. Since LCRA also uses the flow of water in the lower Colorado River basin to generate electricity, its water management efforts must also be aimed at maximizing generation at minimum cost. Certain aquatic vegetation chokes water flows at the generating stations and LCRA implements programs to exterminate these types of vegetation.

4. LCRA also serves residents in its jurisdiction with the delivery of potable water and, in this role, must be concerned about maintaining healthy water by virtue of
   1. cautious application of chemistry to the control of nuisance aquatic vegetation and
   2. the assessment/abatement of other water-polluting inflows.
5. The increasing aquatic vegetation stems from a variety of sources including
   1. Introduction/distribution by waterfowl, boats, etc.;
   2. discarded plants from water-gardens, etc.
   3. disturbing/distributing existing vegetation by recreational boating;
   4. planting to encourage fish habitat;
   5. development/agriculture/animal-ranching related nutrients entering the water through run-off;
   6. etc.

6. The preferred method of small-scale control of nuisance aquatic vegetation (by individual property owners) is mechanical removal by uprooting, raking, etc. (but remember that fragments left afloat may well aid the spreading).

7. Control with the addition of chemicals must be considered the last resort and is subject to a permit process administered by the TPWD.

More specifically,

1. LCRA makes every effort to control Hydrilla and Waterhyacinth that are most problematic for all of the bodies of water. LCRA will, at their own expense, treat these two non-native plants.

2. In some instances (i.e. Horseshoe Bay), were nuisance aquatic vegetation threatens access and enjoyment to/of the water, LCRA is in the process of reviewing the ability for LCRA to enter into interlocal agreements allowing partnering in the control efforts of groups of property owners and/or communities.  The approval process has not been completed at this time, but should be determined by the end of March.

3. Natural control, by means of introducing grass carp, for example, is not considered a wise choice since dispersion and other control of these fish has proven impossible.

4. All chemical control programs carried out by anyone (including LCRA) are subject to administration by the TPWD:
   1. The link to the TPWD website provided above takes you to a very informative publication titled “Aquatic Vegetation Management In Texas: A Guidance Document” that includes page 39 representing the “Aquatic Vegetation Treatment Proposal”. This is the proposal/application every individual who intends to apply chemical control must file with this department.
   2. TPWD is organized to respond to any such applications within a 2-week period.
   3. Granting of such permits for the control of aquatic vegetation that is NOT considered a nuisance in the eyes of the department is unlikely.
   4. Chemical treatment of ALGAE IS EXCEMPTED FROM THIS PERMITTING PROCESS !
   5. It goes without saying that anyone applying chemical treatments MUST

·                  Strictly comply with manufacturer’s instructions for use;

·                  Use common sense to not inflict harm onto himself and others;

·                  Bear in mind that the water treated also serves the wellbeing of humans, animals, pets and fish!

FINALLY, the chemical of preference by LCRA (although there are others of comparable composition) is CUTRINE PLUS in crystalline form. It is also available in liquid form but the dispersion of this is not controllable due to water current, wind, etc.

This product has been available in the past at ACE Hardware in Kingsland and at Crownover Feed, 202 Ave. G in Marble Falls (830 693-4458). 

Approximate prices are

$28.25 for 10 lbs in crystalline form and

$26.25 for 12 lbs (~1 gal) in liquid form.

This product, a copper compound, is safe for fish and swimmers after following the manufacturer’s application instructions.

The recommended time for application is in spring or early summer when plants are beginning to show new life following winter (after the water begins to warm). Crystals are sprinkled onto the water’s surface with the aim of allowing them to settle to the bottom, where they are most effective.

This material is also suitable for the treatment of algae blooms but, for this purpose, the liquid, form applied by herbicide sprayer, is better suited.

At City Hall, we have printed materials referred to above. In addition, should you have specific questions not addressed here or in the reference materials, please ask us. If we do not have the answers we will try to get them for you to our best ability.

_hjs070302

Hans,

I have made some very slight revisions to the community release.   It is a wonderful document, but I wanted to clarify that we have not been approved to work with entities yet - it is being reviewed by our Legal Department, and should be determined by the end of March.

Horseshoe Bay has asked for our assistance through an interlocal; however, we have not been able to commit at this time.

Please feel free to use or not use my suggestions. 

I wish all of the communities would share information with the communities as you have done for Sunrise Beach residents.  That is exactly what we are hoping our panel members will do.

Thank you, Catherine, (LCRA)