Hydrilla treatment scheduled Orange County at Lake Lawne

The hydrilla treatment by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and Orange County for Lake Lawne, which was postponed due to cold weather in February, has been rescheduled for March 10-11.

Hydrilla is an invasive, exotic aquatic plant spread easily by boats throughout the state's lakes and rivers. It clogs waterways, making recreational activities difficult or impossible and chokes out beneficial native plants. Managing and treating it is necessary for the health of Florida's waters and to enable continued recreational boating and other aquatic activities.

The FWC will treat the hydrilla with Aquathol™, which has no restrictions for fishing or swimming; however, there is a 14-day irrigation restriction. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approves Aquathol™ for use in lakes.

The FWC's Invasive Plant Management Section will post notification at the lake's public boat ramp on the day of treatment and will remove the notification once the 14-day irrigation restriction expires. The FWC and Orange County will close the public boat ramp the morning of the 10th and possibly the 11th, should weather conditions postpone the treatment on the 10th.

For questions about this treatment, contact Alicia Knecht, FWC invasive plant management regional biologist, at 407-275-4004.

Media Contact
Alicia Knecht, 407-275-4004