The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has started aquatic plant control in portions of Lake Tohopekaliga this week. The FWC will treat invasive hydrilla in the Osceola County lake in areas where it is encroaching on beneficial native submersed aquatic plants and could impact access to navigation and flood protection.
The FWC manages hydrilla on a lake-by-lake basis using a collaborative approach. The FWC makes management decisions based on the impact this invasive plant can have on native plant communities, access and navigation, flood control, and management costs. This management is in support of the Habitat Management Plan for Lake Tohopekaliga, which was developed with stakeholder input to achieve the goal of 30% to 40% submersed vegetative cover. The FWC strives to create a more stable and sustainable habitat for the long-term well-being of our native fish and wildlife.
For more information about the treatment, contact Ed Harris, FWC invasive plant management biologist, at 407-204-3310.
