Agenda - 05-02-1994 - V-C - Laserfiche WebLink

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ti ' 1 O R A N G E C O U N T Y BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: May 2, 1994 Action Agenda Item SUBJECT: Weed Control Resolution for Lake Orange hydrilla infestation/grass carp program cost-share with the NC Division of Water Resources DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC HEARING: Yes X No County Manager ATTACHMENT(S) : INFORMATION CONTACT: Resolution County Engineer - Ext. 2303 TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough - 732-8181 Durham - 688-7331 Mebane - 227-2031 Chapel Hill - 967-9251/968-4501 PURPOSE: To present to the BOCC for its approval an aquatic weed control resolution which is an agreement between the NC Division of Water Resources (DWR) and Orange County whereby the County agrees to assume fifty percent of the costs of stocking Lake Orange with the grass carp necessary to control the lake's hydrilla infestation BACKGROUND: Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) is a submersed aquatic plant that forms a very dense and nearly impenetrable mat of stems and leaves at and below the water surface of its habitat. Hydrilla is not native to North America, but it is now found throughout temperate and tropic areas of the United States. It was imported into North America for use as an aquarium plant in the 1950 ' s and may have been have been introduced into the environment when aquaria media were released into surface waters. Hydrilla is considered to be the most noxious fresh water aquatic weed in the southeastern United States. It is extremely hardy and prolific; it is readily spread between water bodies that are not contiguous; and it degrades the quality of aquatic wildlife habitat as well as the recreational and aesthetic attributes of an infested water body. Aquatic weed specialists theorize that hydrilla usually spreads to unifested lakes and ponds by adhering to boats, trailers, etc. or aquatic animals. Hydrilla may also be purposely introduced into a water body in a