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Aquatic weed fight may face cutbacks
By JENNIFER FARRELL
© St. Petersburg Times, When Hernando County approved spending a half-million dollars in 1999 to control weeds that cropped up in lakes, rivers and canals after heavy rains from El Nino, few cheered louder than people living around Hunter's Lake. Tired of dense growth clogging boat propellers, members of the Hunter's Lake Association stocked up on heavy-duty weed killer and later upgraded the machine used to spread the chemicals, hoping to get faster results by piggybacking the county's efforts. "We figured with the combination of both that we could really get this under control," association president Doug DeRespiris said Friday. And, for the most part, he added, the plan worked: "Now they're not growing nearly as fast. When the lake fills back up, our canals will be free of weeds because we just kept on top of it." But after nearly three years, the county plans to suspend the aquatic weed control program. It will trim the budget for herbicides and harvesting and leave in place once-a-year mowing around the perimeter of lakes and canals. "The drought dried up all those areas and enabled us to get in there and mow them," said County Administrator Paul McIntosh. "We didn't see the need to put a bunch of money into aquatic weed control next year." McIntosh stressed that the county would still keep track of the weeds, and an agreement with the Southwest Florida Water Management District will continue exotic-plant treatments at Hunter's Lake, Lake Lindsey, Mountain Lake and the Weeki Wachee and Withlacoochee rivers and surrounding canals. But for DeRespiris, the plan is underwhelming. "Mowing once a year? That's crazy," he said. "These weeds grow so fast." McIntosh said drought conditions combined with a tight budget year to shift spending priorities away from weed control. "We're going to continue to fight it," he said. "The drought has enabled us to make a heck of a lot more progress." When the program was approved in January 1999, plans called for controlling weeds with herbicides and with a mechanical harvester. The goal was to eliminate half the weeds in the county's public lakes, rivers and canals. Officials warned then that residents should have realistic expectations about the success of the program. They cautioned that it would not create Disney World conditions. Dr. Guangye Hu, who heads the program, said weed levels have been significantly reduced. Starting in November, county workers will begin the four-month mowing project. They will cut swaths about 150 feet wide on the perimeters of the county's 20 lakes and waterways, he said. "We couldn't do entire lakes," he said. "That would destroy habitat." County commissioners have approved suspending the program in concept; final budget hearings will be in September. Commissioner Betty Whitehouse said the county needs to pay attention to the weeds, especially in light of recent spending commitments for mosquito control and eradicating Brazilian pepper plants. Weather, she said, is also a factor. "We are getting a considerable amount of rain. I certainly think it's something that we are going to . . . look at." - Staff writer Jennifer Farrell covers Spring Hill and can be reached at 848-1432. Send e-mail to farrell@sptimes.com.
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