Letter to the Hon. Jim Kurth, Acting Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service - In Support of a $249,992 Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Grant Application Being Submitted by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

Letter

I am pleased to write in support of a $249,992 Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) grant application being submitted by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife to combat invasive aquatic specifies, including Hydrilla, in the Finger Lakes and Great Lakes watershed.

This funding is needed to implement the goals and objectives outlined in New York's Statewide "Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Comprehensive Management Plan" within the Great Lakes watershed. Namely, this funding will be will be administered through the Finger Lakes-Lake Ontario Watershed Protection Alliance for control and management of aquatic invasive species. The funding will be used to conduct on-water surveys for high propriety species of concern and to fund herbicide applications or removal of invasive species like Hydrilla, Water Chestnut and Asian Clam. The funding will also support the Watercraft Steward Program which hires and stations stewards at municipal boat launches and related areas in the Finger Lakes. These stewards will visually inspect watercraft, as well as conduct surveys and provide education based best practices to limit the spread, transmission, and presence of aquatic invasive species within the Finger Lakes and Great Lakes watershed.

This funding is critical to stop and prevent the further spread of Hydrilla particularly in Cayuga Lake. Late last year an outbreak of Hydrilla was discovered across nearly 30 acres along the mid-eastern shore of Cayuga Lake. Hydrilla is the world's most successful aquatic invasive plant, spreads rapidly, and causes severe impact to water quality, native plant and fish communities, recreation, irrigation, and water treatment facilities. As such, it is imperative to control its spread, particularly since the shallow Northern shelf of Cayuga Lake (5,800 acres) is prime habitat for the fast-growing, highly competitive Hydrilla to flourish and overrun the ecosystem. I applaud the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for its foresight and success and hope its application for funding meets with your approval.

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