Bill to Fight Aquatic Weed Invasion in Louisiana Passes

BATON ROUGE, La. – According to the LSU AgCenter, the Louisiana House Ways & Means Committee unanimously passed a bill on May 22 that proposes to assist in the state’s fight against aquatic weeds invading the state’s rivers and lakes.

The bill proposes an increase in certain trailer registration fees to establish an aquatic weed fund that would support efforts of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and others in combating aquatic weed problems in the state’s rivers and lakes.

The bill now moves to the full House.

Submitted by Rep. Dan Morrish, D-Jennings, House Bill 244 would impose an additional $3.25 per year – or $13 every four years – for registering light trailers primarily used for boats and personal watercraft.

Morrish said funds would be "dedicated to the aquatic weed control program." Currently, state Wildlife and Fisheries officials don’t have enough funding to keep up with problem weeds in the state’s waterways, according to Charlie Dugas with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

LSU AgCenter weed scientist Dearl Sanders, who works in the battle against invasive aquatic weeds, cited long-standing problems such as water hyacinth blocking bayous. And he said other noteworthy problems are newer foreign invaders such as hydrilla in Henderson Lake, Toledo Bend and Spring Bayou and giant salvinia in Cameron Parish.

Sanders said such plants cause significant problems for boaters and other outdoor enthusiasts as well as for rice farmers and other growers who draw irrigation water from infested bayous and canals.

"The bottom line is to protect and improve the state’s waters by removing offensive weed pests – most of which are non-native species that have no natural enemies," Sanders told the committee.

Sanders said the cost to control imported weeds can range from $100 to $300 or more per acre.

"It’s a statewide problem," he said of invasive aquatic weeds. "They’re a direct threat to eco-tourism in Louisiana."

Sanders cited giant salvinia, which originated in Brazil and was first discovered in Louisiana in Toledo Bend Lake in 1998, as a significant new problem – particularly because the plants double in volume every 14 days.

Dugas said Wildlife and Fisheries treats about 35,000 acres of water hyacinth each year at a cost of $10-$11 per acre. Other invasive plants, he added, would cost from $100-$400 per acre to control. "We’re not funded for that," he said.

Dugas said the state Wildlife and Fisheries Department received a special grant from the legislature to spray herbicides on giant salvinia on Toledo Bend. "Toledo Bend shows the effectiveness of a good spray program," he said, adding, "It shows we can stay on top of it."