What does plant management have to do with boating? The necessary steps to correct or slow invasive plant growth may affect channel depths (see Lake Depths) as well as limit anchoring availability in treated areas. 

FWC implementing enhancements to Aquatic Plant Management Program

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is moving forward with implementing a variety of enhancements to the agency’s Aquatic Plant Management Program. FWC staff recently completed a series of listening sessions that provided the public with an opportunity to provide feedback about management activities on Florida waterbodies with a focus on invasive plant management. Based on the input provided at these meetings, the FWC will begin implementing a number of improvements including:  

• Accelerating the development of habitat management plans for individual lakes.
• Forming a Technical Assistance Group consisting of staff, partners and stakeholders.
• Improving the timing of herbicide-based invasive aquatic plant treatments.
• Exploring ways to better integrate and increase the strategic use of mechanical aquatic plant harvesting.
• Exploring new methods and technologies to oversee and increase accountability of aquatic plant control contractors.
• Developing pilot projects to explore better integrated plant management tools.
• Improving agency communication regarding plant management activities.

As discussed at the FWC Commission meeting on Feb. 21, in Gainesville, it was worthwhile to temporarily pause aquatic herbicide treatments while the public meetings were in progress. Now the meetings have concluded, it is essential for the FWC to resume its aquatic plant management program and to implement enhancements identified by the public. The FWC uses an integrated plant management approach that includes chemical, mechanical, biological and physical methods to control invasive plant species.

Research and decades of experience show that chemical control, using herbicides approved for use in aquatic systems, achieves the best results for addressing many of Florida’s toughest invasive plant infestations such as water hyacinths and hydrilla. However, many participants in the meetings encouraged the FWC to manage waterbodies in ways that would reduce the use of herbicides. Therefore, the FWC is re-committing to employing methods that minimize the quantity of herbicides needed to achieve the desired level of control.

“During the listening sessions we heard a diversity of concerns and opinions. Waterfront property owners, boaters and community officials stressed how important it is for the FWC to quickly resume control of the worst plants such as hydrilla before they grow to a point that makes lakes virtually unusable,” said Kipp Frohlich, Director of the FWC’s Division of Habitat and Species Conservation.

“We also heard from anglers and waterfowl hunters that some hydrilla can be beneficial. Finding the balance, that manages a system in a way that pleases all the diverse user groups of Florida’s lakes, is very difficult. Nevertheless, we are committed to continue our work with stakeholders to better understand their needs and strive to manage our aquatic resources in ways that benefit the greatest number of people,” said Frohlich.

While the listening tour has ended, the FWC continues to welcome suggestions from stakeholders. People can provide comments by emailing InvasivePlants@MyFWC.com.

For more details on aquatic plant management visit MyFWC.com/AquaticPlants.

The battle with Florida legislators over anchoring privileges has been going on for years and the restrictions on anchoring appear to be raising their ugly heads…AGAIN! For earlier discussions, see Right to Anchor, Restrictive Anchoring, Continued Discussion. Please donate if you can.

We want to thank each of you who has made contributions to help keep Florida anchorages open to cruisers. While contributions from our members and members of SSCA, DeFever Cruisers and MTOA are appreciated, presently, the total contributions are running short of our expectations.

This year, SEVERAL FLORIDA CITIES ARE ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN A HOST OF ANTI-ANCHORING, ANTI-CRUISING BILLS including but not limited to the Cities of Melbourne and Hollywood. These bills can result in the elimination of specific anchorages that you currently enjoy.

Our coalition and the lobbying firm representing us in Tallahassee are working closely with BoatUS lobbyists to stop local governments from passing legislation which would allow them to regulate anchoring in their jurisdictions, but we need your help. Please do not assume that our lobbying efforts can proceed without your help. We can win but it takes resources and commitment throughout the upcoming Legislative Session.

We know that a law passed in Florida will set the precedent for the same maritime treatment in other states along the I95/AICW corridor.

WHETHER YOU CRUISE IN FLORIDA OR NOT, WE NEED YOUR HELP TO STOP THIS ASSAULT ON OUR RIGHTS TO CRUISE AND ANCHOR IN FLORIDA AND BEYOND.

Please contribute today!

Thanks to all of you for your support!

-Kim
Kimberly Russo
Director
America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association
krusso@greatloop.org
843.879.5030

With the menace of red tide and hurricanes, 2018 has not been a good year for water health in Florida. See Federal Lawsuits and Latest Red Tide Reports.

Water troubles still surfacing
KeysNews.com

If you have a car and are cruising around Florida in December, here are suggestions for extra special seasonal destinations!

The 20 Best Christmas Towns in Florida
Coastal Living