I�m John Findeisen, team leader of the TPWD Inland Fisheries Division�s Aquatic Habitat Enhancement team. My team has been installing floating booms on lakes Fork, Palestine, Martin Creek, Caddo, and Naconiche. These booms are not intended to prevent anglers from fishing within the enclosed area, rather, they were installed to contain as much of a giant salvinia infestation as possible, assisting with the management of this aggressive, non-native plant. Concentrating giant salvinia in an area helps prevent the further spread of this unwanted plant to other areas of the reservoir, increases efficiency and effectiveness of herbicide treatment(s), decreases the overall amount of herbicide used, and serves as a potential production area for giant salvinia weevils (as is the case on Caddo Lake).

If you want to fish on the other side of a boom, we recommend that you idle over the boom until the outboard motor gets close, then kill and raise the motor and ease over the boom with your trolling motor/paddle/push pole/etc. We also ask that you cross the boom (going in and coming out) in spots where no giant salvinia is along the boom. This will help keep the salvinia contained in the boomed-off area. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated and helps TPWD continue to make fishing better in Texas.

Thanks,

John Findeisen
Natural Resources Specialist V
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Inland Fisheries Division - Aquatic Habitat Enhancement

John.Findeisen@tpwd.texas.gov

Thank you sir, appreciate the information.

Jim

Very good info, never knew what that intent of the booms was. Knew they were to keep salvania contained but did not know we could cross the booms.

We appreciate y'all posting that sir.

This is great to know! Thanks

I have a question, If the area within the booms are being treated with herbicide. How safe is it to fish in and around that area?

Great question! The area is safe to fish in and around. We are conducting foliar herbicide applications (spraying directly on the plant). The herbicides we are using (flumioxazin, penoxsulam, diquat, and glyphosate) are all EPA approved for aquatic use and entry into the treated area is allowed once the herbicide has dried on the plant (typically less than 20-30 minutes after being treated). Hope this helps.

John I like the way you got the word out to the public thanks.

I saw the boom on Palestine and figure that was the case. Thanks for the info.

BTW, John welcome aboard.

Good information, will pass it on to the folks I fish with .

Thanks John. I have a cabin on Chaney Creek in Fork and wished I had known this info when the boom was up across it. Would have crossed it if I knew it was OK. I didn't so I didn't.

There is no way that I would go into the area contained by the boom if the area has been sprayed with that toxic group of chemicals. These chemicals have been banned in some countries that are not under the control of companies like Monsanto.
John, I don't see how you can justify putting those chemicals into our water supplies. There are numerous studies showing the detrimental effects on humans and other animals.
John, I suggest that if you think these are so safe, that you collect several gallons of water from the sprayed areas, take the water home, and have you and your family drink it regularly. Report back in six months.
Salvinia is a nuisance; glyphosate is a poison.
If you need links to the studies, I will dig them out and post.
HHH

Not this makes it OK but people in Texas have been boating and even swimming in waters sprayed by the state for hydrilla. Ever see a "Lake Closed" sign when this spraying was going on or recently completed? HMMMM