NEWS RELEASE

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

June 17, 1998

CONTACT: Mike Hulon (407) 846-5300

HERBICIDE TREATMENTS SHOW PROMISING RESULTS

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is testing a new and more selective herbicide on Lake Jackson in Osceola County, where 14 acres of test plots were treated recently with Renovate (Garlon 3A) to control pickerelweed, an aquatic plant also known as flags.

"So far the results are promising," said Mike Hulon biological administrator with the FWC's Kissimmee fisheries field office. "This selective treatment is designed to control dense pickerelweed while leaving the more desirable grasses and bulrush unharmed. We will continue to monitor the test plots to evaluate its effectiveness."

In the meantime about 820 other acres in lakes Cypress, Jackson, Kissimmee and Tohopekaliga were treated with Rodeo and 2,4-D to control pickerelweed, cattails, American lotus (flat pods), water lilies, spatterdock, smartweed and soda apple.

"These plants are problematic because their excessive density contributes to the muck buildup in the lakes. The more desirable plants, such as bulrush, can't develop a root system in the muck and are eventually crowded out by the other, less desirable, plants," said Hulon.

If you have any concerns or questions about the FWC's herbicide treatments, please call the Kissimmee fisheries field office at (407) 846-5300.