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State aquatic-control team outlines multi-pronged plan for Saline Lake; recommends drawdown July 7–Oct 1
Summary
State aquatic-plant officials told the Jury they have treated about 500–600 acres of salvinia this year, deploy weevils for biological control, use mechanical booms at ramps, and recommend opening Saline Lake gates July 7 through October 1 to restore water levels for duck hunting.
Kane Finkbeiner, Aquatic Plant Control Biologist Manager, and supervisor Wesley Maddox described ongoing efforts to control salvinia at Saline Lake, combining chemical spraying, biological controls (stocked weevils), mechanical booms and periodic drawdowns. Finkbeiner said crews "have treated about 500 to 600 acres so far this year" and that biological weevil programs have been used for about 10 years with measurable impact.
Finkbeiner told the Jury that mechanical thinning of thousands of acres was assessed but found to be economically infeasible, and he recommended opening the lake gates July 7 through October 1 so water could return for duck hunting. He also said helicopter spraying is less effective in heavily treed areas due to canopy interception.
