Sacramento, CA – State officials today announced more treatment plans to deal with aquatic weeds choking waterways in and around Discovery Bay.
“Our voices were heard,” Assemblymember Jim Frazier, D-Oakley, said upon learning that the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) will begin its 2015 Egeria densa Control Program on March 9 and will simultaneously treat curly-leaf pond weed .
“Bringing aid to the residents of Discovery Bay, who were deeply affected by these weeds, which prohibited boating and other recreational opportunities and harmed marina operations and Delta business owners, has been my top priority. We never let up on this effort and repeatedly brought DBW staff, scientists and other stakeholders together to champion our dire need. Now DBW is responding.”
Among the Contra Costa County waterways where 12 weekly cycles of herbicide treatments are scheduled to begin are Discovery Bay, Sandmound Slough, Dutch Slough, Taylor Slough, Piper Slough, Italian Slough, Holland/Riverside area and Kings Island.
On Tuesday, DBW announced that, starting March 4, it would begin treating Water Hyacinth and Spongeplant throughout the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, including waterways in Contra Costa County.
In today’s announcement, DBW noted that reports of infestations played a role in determining which sites would be treated – underscoring Frazier’s advice that residents keep reporting them.
“I thank my constituents for their partnership in our effort to highlight the challenges we face,” Frazier said. “Together, we can keep the Division of Boating and Waterways abreast of current challenges by reporting what we see on the water. I am hopeful that with this new treatment and the additional $4 million I’m championing for DBW operations in this year’s budget, we’ll restore the quality of life for Delta residents and improve the well-being of the Delta.”
Sightings of aquatic weeds and infestations can be reported by calling 1-888-326-2822 or emailing [email protected].
For more on the DBW treatment, visit http://dbw.parks.ca.gov/PDF/FactSheets/Fact_Sheet_1_Controlled_Species.pdf.
To contact Assemblymember Jim Frazier please visit his website at http://www.asmdc.org/members/a11/ or call his District Offices at 707-399-3011 or 925-778-5790.
