DISCOVERY BAY − Assemblymember Jim Frazier, D-Oakley, accompanied a crew from the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) on Tuesday as it surveyed Discovery Bay and other Delta waterways, where DBW will begin herbicide treatment of aquatic weeds in coming days.
Frazier accompanied DBW’s environmental scientist Geoff Newman and aquatic specialist Edward Somera as they took samples, assessed areas where treatment will be done and observed mechanical harvesting already under way.
“After the challenges we faced last year, it was important for me to see that DBW was ready to treat Egeria densa in Discovery Bay as soon as possible,” Frazier said after his ride-along. “Today I saw that DBW has staff and equipment in place to begin treating next week.”
On Monday, herbicide treatment of Egeria densa and Curly Leaf pondweed is scheduled to begin and will include all of Discovery Bay’s western bays, such as Lido and Cabrillo. On Wednesday (March 4), DBW is expected to begin herbicide treatment of Water Hyacinth and Spongeplant – an approach that will continue through November.
“Seeing what is needed here and hearing from DBW staff reaffirms my commitment to fight for additional funding for aquatic weed control this year,” said Frazier. For more on the DBW treatment schedule, visit http://dbw.parks.ca.gov/PDF/FactSheets/Fact_Sheet_1_Controlled_Species.pdf. Sightings of aquatic weeds and infestations can be reported by calling 1-888-326-2822 or emailing [email protected].
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.
Photo Caption: Assemblymember Jim Frazier, D-Oakley, (left) and Edward Somera, an aquatic specialist for the State Park’s Division of Boating and Waterways, examine Egeria densa in Newport Bay.
Feb 18 Press Release: Herbicide Control of Water Hyacinth to Begin in the Delta in Early March
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) issued a public notice today to begin herbicide treatment of the aquatic invasive weeds Water Hyacinth and Spongeplant in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta region beginning on Wednesday, Mar. 4, 2015 and continue through the end of November.
The herbicide treatment will initially focus on the following areas: Middle River, Whiskey Slough, Old River, Coney Island, Indian Slough, Rock Slough, San Joaquin River and the Tuolumne River, with an expansion of treatment to other areas of the Delta beginning on June 1. Spongeplant will be concurrently treated with Water Hyacinth, since both aquatic weeds share common biology and distributions. DBW is permitted to treat 3,500 acres of Water Hyacinth in the Delta.
In addition to the herbicide treatment, DBW is continuing to conduct mechanical harvesting of Water Hyacinth in the South Delta (Old River) and around the Stockton area on an as-needed-basis.
The Division will also begin treatment of Egeria densa and curly leaf pondweed in early March. Treatment areas will be made public next week.
In the 2014 season, 2,617 acres of Water Hyacinth were treated with glyphosate and 2,4-D. There is no known eradication method for Water Hyacinth once it has been established. Therefore, DBW conducts a control program in the Delta as opposed to an eradication program. The program seeks to minimize negative impacts of the invasive plant on navigation, public safety, recreation, agricultural activities and ecosystem services in Delta waterways.
In 1982, California state legislation designated DBW as the lead state agency to cooperate with other state, local and federal agencies in controlling Water Hyacinth in the Delta, its tributaries and the Suisun Marsh. DBW works with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to obtain approval for conducting the Water Hyacinth Control Program from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service (part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). A third approval is also obtained from the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board. The approval process is in place to determine if the use of these herbicides may affect any threatened, endangered or sensitive species, and critical habitats.
Funding for Water Hyacinth treatment comes from the Harbors and Watercraft Revolving Fund, which receives revenues from boaters’ registration fees and gasoline taxes.
In addition to mechanical harvesting, DBW crews will provide assistance with other removal methods, such as herding and hand-picking, in an effort to continue providing an essential public service.
For Public Notice and treatment area maps, visit this link:
For more information on Water Hyacinth, see the 2015 Water Hyacinth Frequently Asked Questions: http://dbw.parks.ca.gov/PDF/WHCP/FAQ_Water_Hyacinth_2015_FINAL_02-17-15.pdf .
For more information on the Aquatic Invasive Weeds currently treated by DBW, see our Fact Sheet: http://dbw.parks.ca.gov/PDF/FactSheets/Fact_Sheet_1_Controlled_Species.pdf .
To report sightings or for more information regarding the control program, please see DBW’s website at www.dbw.parks.ca.gov , call 888-326-2822, or email at [email protected] .
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California State Parks Mission
To provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high quality outdoor recreation.
