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TP&WD Declares Emergency on Toledo Bend Giant Salvinia Stretching miles long and hundreds of yards wide, huge “rafts” of Giant Salvinia and water hyacinth were attempting to move south on Toledo Bend over the past few days. Recent rains have moved the noxious weed that previously resided in coves into the main lake, causing serious concern about its control. Under the right conditions, the weed can double in size every five to seven days.
"Runoff from the recent rains flushed the plants out of shallow areas on the upper portion of Toledo Bend Reservoir that normally act as nursery areas and are inaccessible to most conventional treatment, and they are moving south," said Howard Elder, aquatic vegetation biologist for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). "It’s what we feared would happen." Being located in the open reservoir actually makes the plants more accessible to spraying with herbicides, according to the biologist. Elder is moving as quickly as possible to survey the extent of the infestation and acquire sufficient herbicide to treat the area. "We use glyphosate, which is the safest herbicide we can use," he said. "However, we will not treat any location that is within two miles of an intake for a potable water supply." Elder is treating the situation as an emergency and will hire a contractor to apply the herbicide by helicopter as soon as possible. "It usually takes about two weeks for effects of treatment to become readily visible," he said. "We do want the public and all the water suppliers who take water from the lake to be aware of this action." Elder can be reached at (409) 384-9965. A spokesperson with the Toledo Bend Bi-State Alliance said they have been inundated with phone calls asking what can be done. Persons are being advised to contact the Texas SRA at 409/746-2192, the Louisiana SRA at 1-800-259-LAKE (5253) and Texas Parks and Wildlife, Lufkin office at (936) 632-1311.
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