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State of North Carolina | Environmental Quality | Water Resources <br />1611 Mail service Center | Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1611 <br />919 707 9000 <br /> <br /> <br /> PAT MCCRORY <br /> <br />Governor <br /> <br />DONALD R. VAN DER VAART <br /> <br />Secretary <br />S. JAY ZIMMERMAN <br /> <br />Director <br />April 26, 2016 <br /> <br />Kevin Lindley <br />Staff Engineer <br />Orange County Planning and Inspections <br />PO Box 8181 <br />Hillsborough, NC 27278 <br /> <br />RE: Aquatic Weed Control Program- Proposal for 2016 <br /> <br />Mr. Lindley, <br /> <br />Since 2015 Orange County and the Division of Water Resources’ Aquatic Weed Control <br />Program (AWCP) have worked together to control Hydrilla in Lake Orange. This letter provides <br />recommendations and the costs associated with the various actions described. <br /> <br />In the autumn of 1994, personnel from the AWCP performed a site assessment and found <br />that Lake Orange was severely infested with Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata), a particularly <br />noxious aquatic weed. In 1994 and 1998 the AWCP stocked triploid grass carp and performed <br />herbicide applications to control the growth of Hydrilla in the lake. Hydrilla was thought to be <br />extirpated from the system but in 2009 a resident of the lake reported a sighting of the plant to <br />the AWCP. A site assessment conducted that same year confirmed that it was Hydrilla. <br />Subsequent surveys have found Hydrilla is still present in the system. A survey in 2015 found an <br />estimated 15 acres of Hydrilla, a significant increase from the 2 acres in 2014. The AWCP staff <br />has much experience managing Hydrilla in reservoirs throughout North Carolina. The two <br />methods which are most effective for managing Hydrilla are the use of herbicide(s) and stocking <br />grass carp. The AWCP is recommending stocking grass carp this year as a response to the <br />increased acreage observed from 2014 to 2015. <br /> <br />In the summer of 2015 the AWCP, responding to a complaint from a resident, performed <br />a site assessment on Compton’s Pond and found the pond is severely infested with Hydrilla. The <br />AWCP is recommending spot treatments with herbicide during the Summer and a Fall survey to <br />determine acreage of Hydrilla which will guide future management decisions. <br /> <br />A table has been prepared which outlines the weed control activities proposed for this <br />year. A permit will be required to stock the grass carp in Lake Orange; the AWCP has already <br />submitted the application to the Wildlife Resource Commission. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />DocuSign Envelope ID: C45DFA6C-92F3-4B39-B706-86E6F192C696