2008 Weed treatment proposal approved by council

Skip Wiegersma of Skip’s Aquatic Solutions, LLC presented his proposal for the 2008 weed treatment in Lake Gaston.  The PowerPoint presentation was made during the quarterly Lake Gaston Weed Control Council meeting in Gasburg, VA last week.

The proposal calls for treating 1,919 acres of weeds.   The proposal breaks down the areas to be treated as (number after areas is the proposed acres to be treated):  Sledge Creek,   24; Kings Branch, 45; Beechwood Estates, 180; Gaston Heights, 25; Peahill A, 142; Peahill B, 28;  Peahill C, 25; Peahill D, 30; Peahill E, 25; Woodland Hurst, 45; Great Creek  & coves behind bridge, 119; Jimmies Creek, 115; Big Stonehouse Creek, 110; Big Stonehouse Creek 2, 58; Six Pound Creek, 42; Jordan Creek, 25; Songbird Creek, 35; Pigeon Roost, 68; Mill Creek, 49; Eagle Cove (branch SE of Pigeon Roost), 28; Triton Point (off Little Stonehouse), 25; Little Stonehouse, 62; Lyons, 59; Hubquarter, 150; Smith Creek, 150; and The Flats, 255. 

In total the proposed plan calls for 971 areas to be treated in Virginia and 948 acres in North Carolina. They will be monitoring all treatment sites with fast test.  They will perform two fast test per site on four occasions. 

The cost ot this years treatment plan is in line with the monies available. When Skip made the presentation he had old figures from the weed council that showed more money as a carry over from last year.  Thus his proposed figure was slightly higher than the money available.  He made it perfectly clear that they would not be spending money the council did not have so if necessary the treatment will be adjusted to insure this. 

There is no indication at this time when treatment will start.  This all depends on the growth of the plant.  According to law you cannot treat plants you cannot see and trying to figure out when the plants will be at that stage is difficult.   Skip did reveal tht he has seen some growth in plants already. 

Dr. Brown explained the difference in growth from the lower (eastern) end of the lake and the upper end of the lake is caused from the cooler water being released into the lake from Kerr Lake.  So it would be natural to expect the growth cycle to follow since hydrilla likes the warmer water and warmer air. 

One factor that will help in treatment is the use of pellets for the chemicals.  In the old days the chemicals could be washed away from the treated easily so rains and winds played heavily in treatment decisions.  With pellets they are not as concerned about the rains. 

It was also note that in more chemicals were need per acre in the past.  In the 1990’s they used 40 pounds of chemicals per acre now they use approximately 27 pounds per acre.  

There was a brief discussion on how to receive the federal funds from U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).  Although there was $330,000 approved, only $265,000 will be available to the weed council.  The council decided to receive the funds at one time.  Then upon Pete Deuchenes, president of the Technical Advisory Group suggestion they decided to have the TAG make recommendations as to how to best use the funds.

The Lake Gaston Weed Control web site is at lgwcc.org/

You can keep up with this years treatment at Littleton Observer web site at www.littletonobserver.com or Skip’s Aquatic Solutions web site skipsaquatic.com/home.