Aquatic Plant Control Treatment Disrupts Migratory Birds

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Aquatic Plant Control Treatment Disrupts Migratory Birds

It’s not likely to be a principal topic at Lake Istokpoga Management Committee meeting, but apparently the topic of spraying hydrilla during duck migration will come up at 9 a.m. today in the Bert J. Harris Agricultural Center. The public is invited to attend.

The latest controversy started when Kelle Sullivan, regional biologist with Florida Fish and Wildlife’s invasive plant management section, emailed residents on Tuesday: “The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will conduct aquatic plant control treatments via helicopter on portions of Lake Istokpoga during the first and second weeks of December, weather permitting. Plant species targeted for treatment are hydrilla, water primrose, cattail, and pickerelweed.”

That drew a same-day response from Newton Jones, president of United Waterfowlers of Florida: “We understand the need to treat the public waters in Florida for invasive species, and support it. But the timing of this treatment is extremely disappointing and lacks consideration for waterfowl hunters and the migratory birds that use hydrilla as a carrier of important food sources.”

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