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Flutterby

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Hi Paul

I hope you are still reading these forums. Last weekend I was in Franks Tract. I noticed that those pesky weeds are down significantly from a couple of years ago. That is great! However, compared to last winter, some weeds seem to be resprouting towards the west end of the tract.

Are there plans/budget to retreating Franks again this year or do we have to just keep our fingers crossed that the weeds do not take over again?

An update from DBW's perspective would be appreciated.

Thanks,
FB
 
Of course I still read these.....The Frank's Tract experiment has been very successful. The downside has been that the natives are returning. The palnt you are seeing on top of the water is Sago Pond weed and is a native. We will monitor Frank's and treat accordingly. The good news is that we are now looking at other locations to treat in the future. I will keep you posted
 
Try Mildred next. It could sure use it and many boaters would be appreciative of your efforts.
 
Thanks so much for the update! I hope that native weed doesn't take over like the other one did. A little bit is good for the lunker stripers to hide in!
 
The new august issue of BOATING magazine, has a very interesting article on page 70 that describes an Aquatic weed harvester. Why doesn't the state use one of these in the Delta, if only for the poplular anchoring areas like Mildred, etc. Gees, I would come out of retirement to run one of these in those areas. I wonder what excuse the state would come up with? My Dad always reminded me, "excuses are only good to those that make them". Just about all politicans and beaurcrats. I wonder if a private party could run one of these through the anchoring area without interference from the people we elect and pay to run the country?
 
Good Morning Sir,
I do admire you for being consistent in the anti-state/gov. frame of mind. I hope that one day I can change that, if just for the department I work for. Here are the "excuses."

1. Water quality-you start using a harvester to thresh these weeds and all the silt and etc that has collected over time are now reintroduced back into the water column. Not to mention the problem of getting these harvesters in and out of the shallow, as well as inaccesible parts of different sloughs. As you well know, the Delta is very unique and it has been interesting to see these companies try (It has bee tried here before, I can post the article for whomever wants to see it). There is also a study, done by an independent, that also has shown why it is ineffective here.

2. Endangered species issues- a harvester is non-selective. Which means any thing in it's path, gone.

3. Very expensive- as you want something done, but I am sure you don't want to be taxed for it. This is not going to happen

4. See 1 and 2. There are Federal and State laws which dictate what can be done whether you like it or not. You want a clean waterway, but don't want to follow the rules to try and make it so. So, the answer to the private owner doing it, is no. I could go on and on, but won't.

I check daily and if anyone has any questions, please feel free to ask. Thanks Dugsboat for the positive e-mail in my already lovely day.
 
Thanks for the information! And I appreciate your positive attitude, rather then feeling defensive and irritated by our questions and concerns.

Does DBW have any funds available to treat Mildred in a similar way that Franks was treated? Isn't the whole issue here funding? I'm quite sure DBW's budget will not be increased when our state's budget is finally made law, whenever that is! I guess the only way to come up with the necessary funds would be to form a special district, levy a fee to those in that district and use the funds collected to treat the waters of Mildred. Anyone up to starting the process?????
 
I have noticed that the weeds in the northwest corner of Mildred have died out dramatically. Only the north west corner though, the other other coves are choked worse than ever. Any reason for this?

Rod
 
I have also noticed that the weed problem is much worse at our marina than it was in the past. It is growing so fast that the weeds will choke the inside part of the marina within a couple weeks making it impossible for those boats facing the berm to leave their slips. I wonder if this is due to more water being pumped south to maintain the golf courses for the Hollywood elite?
 
There are plans to look at other areas for next year. Frank's was a huge test plot and the results have been positive. Anything I hear about possible sites I will pass along in the future. The area affected in Mildred may be part of other prior treatments. Upperdecker, a possibility. The few years I have been out here I have noticed once Egeria takes hold, it will spread extremely fast regardless. Thanks for the questions
 
pkjyan,
Is it possible for a marina, under your guidance and by the rules, to pay for materials and do their own places? It would not be unreasonable in some of the marinas that are choked up, that the berthers might help to pay for the treatment or pay an additional monthly fee.

Thank you for your information - it is really appreciated!

Jim
 
Paul, I am not picking on you. I worked for Uncle Sam for over 10 years. But, here is the truth.
'The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help.'
- Ronald Reagan
 
CN,
There are businesses that can do the weed removal, but you must have a permit to do this and this most of the battle. You can hire someone with the proper permits, but cannot do it on a massiv scale yourself. I think the added charge to a berth is a good idea, you just have to talk your patrons into it. Dugsboat, I understand. All I ask is that you give us a chance.
 
Paul,

I was at my boat this last weekend and the egeria has started behind my boat - and I was afraid of sucking it into my raw water so I am stuck! I think the marina is going to at least pull the 10 foot diameter plant behind me, but they said it has taken over the other end of the marina almost completely and is a real problem. Some of the homeowners have tried a spray and they say it is working and the marina might use that - they are still looking into it.

Do you have any good advice of them, or any good web sites to better understand how to battle the stuff?

I have a question - is the weed good for fertilizer or anything once it is pulled out?

Thanks,

Jim
 
My bet is what you have is pennywort. I do not enforce any laws or etc, but for what it is worth, it is absolutely a bad idea to apply any type of herbicide or etc into the water without a permit If they are caught, the fine and trouble that comes along with it is not something anyone wants to be a part of. Just some friendly advice.
 
Paul,

Thanks for the heads up. I am sure the marina knows the rules, and maybe the homeowners have permits, don't know. I can promise I won't be putting anything in our water - our poor Delta is in enough hurt without people experimenting. I will pass the info, and make sure the rules are followed. In the meantime, I will just rake the stuff behind my boat.

Thanks,

Jim
 
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