Winn’s Police Jurors received a report on efforts to control the invasive giant salvinia on Saline Lake, part of which included the news that the drawdown, one of the control measures, should be about a month shorter than usual. Dates for that were announced for July 7 through October 1 due to current conditions.
Kane Funkbeiner, aquatic plant control biologist manager, advised that the Department of Wildlife & Fisheries is using “all tools available” to control this unwelcome intruder. They spray chemical controls as often as possible and have used contract applicators at times. They also employ biological control, having introduced giant salvinia weevils about 10 years ago. “They are not the ‘silver bullet’ but are providing some control and seem to have some impact.”
The department is also using mechanical control by placing control booms in some areas most prone to salvinia congestion such as boat ramp sites. The booms help redirect the plants’ growth that would otherwise clog access for boats. The final plan is the drawdown that attempts to disrupt the growth cycle. Because of sportsmen, this option, while effective, is “the most contentious,” the biologist admits.
The aggressive plant is difficult to control, ranging over 1,500 to 2,000 acres of lake’s 8,400 acres. Part of the problem is difficult access in reaching isolated areas that need treatment. Juror Stanley Garrett asked if boat lanes couldn’t be cut through the cypress to gain that access. Funkbeiner replied that unlike clearing trees from land which could actually generate revenue, clearing from lakes is completely different and too costly to be feasible.
Juror Author Robinson asked about chemical control sprayed from helicopters. He heard, too, that this is ineffective because most of the spray ends up in treetops or dispersed, with only a small percentage reaching the salvinia.
In other action, District Attorney Chris Nevils supplied jurors with his 18th annual audit report and was happy to announce maintaining a perfect record of “zero financial findings.” He added “the Jury has always worked well with my office.” He noted that while his Eighth Judicial District Office has lost some 99% of the monies that were available through the COVID years, “we have built back up to being in the black, mostly by cost cutbacks. We appreciate your efforts to fund our needs. I know that every penny you don’t have to spend on the DA’s Office you can spend on roads.”
Lawmakers also agreed to renew a five-year agreement to support and administer the Louisiana Cooperative Units off-campus. “They do a good job down there,” observed president Frank McLaren.