Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission s Response. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Dennis J. Renfro

Transcription

1 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission s Response Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Dennis J. Renfro

2 Mission Statement The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission s mission is to manage fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and for the benefit of people.

3 Harris Chain of Lakes

4 Issue 1: North Shore Restoration Area (NSRA) Reconnection The Council strongly recommends a study for reconnecting Lake Apopka to the North Shore Restoration Area (NSRA). The Florida Legislature appointed the SJRWMD as the agency responsible for implementing the farm buy-out program. The plan for restoration after the buy-out focused on reflooding the farm fields and elimination or breaching of the levees that separated the fields from the main body of the lake, allowing Lake Apopka to return to its historic size. (See p. 2 from the report entitled "Final Lake Apopka Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration Plan," dated 6/2004). SJRWMD now seems intent on creating a bird sanctuary by placing infrastructure on former farmlands, which may prevent reconnection. Request: Council requests SJRWMD and pertinent Council technical advisory group (TAG) agencies (FWCC, FDEP, LCWA) to provide scientific data in a presentation to the Council that allows the NSRA to be connected or not connected to Lake Apopka. The presentation should include required steps, cost, and time line to reconnect. Response: FWC supports the SJRWMD s response and defer to their analysis on reconnection

5 Issue 2: Dredging SJRWMD is essentially building a flat sawgrass marsh to try to restore the marsh to its original condition. Alternatively, soil could be mounded to provide wind breaks, small islands of sawgrass, and deep holes, much like a marsh that would be developed by Ducks Unlimited. Deeper channels will allow boats to migrate through the NSRA for bird watching and fishing. Dredging could be used to provide soil for the NSRA. Request: Council requests pertinent TAG agencies to provide a plan to accomplish the above statements. Response: FWC supports the SJRWMD s response and defers to their expertise in this area.

6 Issue 3: Aquatic Vegetation While SJRWMD has made reductions in phosphorus and chlorophyll (algae) and improved water clarity slightly, fisheries habitat (i.e., aquatic plants) have not increased significantly. Request: Provide to the Council a proposal for establishing more aquatic plants, e.g. continued plantings, use of geotubes, or other types of barriers to facilitate aquatic vegetation establishment. These barriers will reduce wave action along the shore and form a substrate for rooting or the use of geotubes could create islands to protect shore lines with newly planted vegetation. Agencies should consider an approach similar to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to create islands similar to Fox Lake in Illinois.

7 Response FWC Response: FWC agrees that aquatic plants are an essential component in lake management. Throughout the state we are faced with the challenging task of managing for the appropriate balance of emergent, floating, and submerged vegetation in our state s public water bodies. As the Council is aware, aquatic plants serve many purposes from providing habitat for a multitude of species, reducing wave action and turbidity, and improving water quality through using dissolved nitrogen and phosphorus. When identifying areas that are appropriate for planting, we look for suitable substrate for the roots to take hold, appropriate levels of dissolved oxygen, and sufficient sunlight to thrive. This effort is continually underway in the Harris Chain of Lakes. FWC has also initiated a new process of using side scan technology to identify Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) in Florida Long Term Monitoring lakes. Lake Griffin and Lake Harris are included in this program. As we continue to improve the technique, this program should allow for a detailed analysis of the vegetation coverage of numerous aquatic plants and help us to identify areas that may benefit from additional planting. FWC will continue to work with our partner agencies and the Council as we work to improve in-lake habitat. Through the combined efforts of FWC and our partner agencies, the submerged aquatic vegetation in Lake Apopka has shown a measurable increase; continued expansion of aquatic plants would be beneficial. The FWC is currently under contract with Dr. Michael Allen, with the University of Florida, to conduct a habitat quality assessment to compare areas where restoration efforts have been conducted in comparison with unrestored shoreline habitats. The analysis will assess whether aquatic macrophyte plantings have expanded and improved aquatic habitat, with a comparison to high-quality habitat, and areas that lack substantial vegetation. This project should help inform future management efforts in the Harris Chain of Lakes. As mentioned previously, our planning efforts are predicated on a transparent process that includes the needs of the habitat and species but also strives to meet the expectation of all stakeholders. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with our partner agencies, the Council and the public as we all work to enhance the native vegetation throughout the Chain. In regards to the Council s statement on geotubes, the FWC concurs with the SJRWMD. The use of geotubes in the lake may not be the most efficient or cost effective approach to expanding vegetation in the lake. FWC will continue to work with our partner agencies on exploring ways to improve in-lake conditions to allow for colonization and growth of native vegetation.

8 Issue 4: Water Quality Water quality improvements have stagnated due to the lack of rainfall and flushing of the lake. Request: Determine the best practice the agencies would use to remove fluid flocculent on the bottom of Lake Apopka in order to allow plant growth on the bottom of the lake to survive. Include a possibility of strategic dredging in certain parts of the lake. Response: FWC supports the SJRWMD s response and continues to collaborate with the SJRWMD on the development of projects to improve water quality in Lake Apopka.

9 Issue 5: Gizzard Shad The Council does not support gizzard shad harvesting by SJRWMD. Request: Council requests SJRWMD to review gizzard shad harvesting as to benefits and costs. The review should also include an assessment of whether shad harvesting should be done in the rest of the Harris Chain. FWC Response: FWC supports the SJWMD s response and defers to their lead on harvesting gizzard shad.

10 Issue 6: Attract Anglers Aquatic vegetation will improve the establishment of sportfish populations. The Council recommends stocking adult bass when vegetation is limited. FWCC prefers advanced fingerlings, but have had limited success. Request: Council requests recommendations by the TAG agencies on methods to attract anglers to Lake Apopka.

11 FWC Response: FWC is working closely with the Lake County Director of Tourism to promote fishing on the Harris Chain of Lakes including attracting major tournaments and major fishing shows. During 2017 three major tournaments will be held on the Harris Chain of Lakes: B.A.S.S. Southern Open in January, Big Bass Tour in February and Walmart FLW Tour in March. We are also working with the Lake Apopka Ecotourism Committee to promote fishing and related outdoor activities to encourage more people to enjoy the recreational opportunities that Lake Apopka offers. Routine long term monitoring and sampling are conducted to evaluate the population status of sportfish in the lakes. Based on this ongoing evaluation, the majority of the lakes in the Harris Chain have good recruitment of Florida largemouth bass and therefore are not candidates for stocking. There is a research project that is in the initial stages that is intended to evaluate the potential benefits of out of season stocking in Lake Apopka.

12 FWC Response continued: Out of season stocking is a new, innovative technique where largemouth bass are spawned during September and stocked in late fall, several months ahead of what typically occurs naturally. In highly eutrophic lakes with ample forage, such as Lake Apopka, there may be benefit to stocking out of season to allow Phase I fingerlings to establish and acclimate to conditions outside of a hatchery. Based on the findings, this may be an approach that the FWC considers in other Central and South Florida lakes. The Council will be updated at the regularly scheduled meetings as the project progresses. Beyond the Florida largemouth bass, another popular fishery in the Harris Chain of Lakes is the Sunshine bass that are routinely stocked by FWC. Last year, approximately 310,000 Sunshine bass were stocked in Lakes Harris, Eustis, and Apopka. These fish provide an alternative to the other sportfish that are found in the lakes and are highly targeted by many anglers.

13 Issue 7: Hydrilla As vegetation enters the lake, hydrilla will colonize. Request: Council requests information on approaches for managing this plant, as it could have benefits for the largemouth bass fishery. Response:Improving water quality conditions in the Harris Chain of Lakes has resulted in greater light penetration into the water column. This positive shift has stimulated the production of hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) in the Harris Chain of Lakes. This plant can very quickly grow and colonize the entire water column, excluding native submerged aquatic vegetation species. The treatment of this plant is very expensive and best managed when populations are first detected. Over the past few years we are now faced with excessive growth of hydrilla in Lake Harris, Lake Eustis and Lake Griffin. Lakes Harris and Eustis have exhibited a rapid growth of greater than 1,000 acres of hydrilla which has resulted in expenditures of more than one million dollars in each lake. FWC recognizes that hydrilla does provide some beneficial habitat for many species and is actively working to find a balance between allowing it to remain in some areas while not letting it get out of control and negatively impacting native vegetation and navigation.

14 Hydrilla Treatment Lake Griffin Lake Griffin Acres Treated Cost FY 16/17 (to date) $174,327 FY 15/16 1,189.5 $712,069 FY 14/ $189,793 FY 13/ $68,169 Total 1,991.7 $1,144,358

15 Hydrilla Treatment Lake Harris Lake Harris Acres Treated Cost FY 16/17 (to date) $251,841 FY 15/16 1,149.8 $903,314 FY 14/15 1,163.7 $1,133,173 FY 13/ $43,122 Total 2,758.0 $2,331,450

16 Hydrilla Treatment Lake Eustis Lake Eustis Acres Treated Cost FY 16/17 (to date) $434,644 FY 15/ $72,597 FY 14/ $3,375 FY 13/ $797 Total $511,413

17 Issue 8: Phosphorus The Council recommends deemphasizing the importance of phosphate levels as science has shown that phosphate is not the major cause of the lake problems. Aquatic vegetation is the primary problem (too much or too little). Agencies need to collaborate on how vegetation should be managed and include MFL s in the study. Request: SJRWMD and LCWA to report to the Council the need for the NuRF facility to continue to treat water coming from Lake Apopka and discharging to the Harris Chain. Should SJRWMD prioritize water for the marsh or downstream users if the marsh is not reconnected. Response: FWC supports the LCWA s and the SJRWMD s response. FWC routinely provides comments to the SJRWMD during the process of developing and updating MFLs; and will continue to collaborate with the District on this effort.

18 Issue 9: Toxicology The Council is not certain organochlorines are responsible for the bird deaths at the NSRA. The Florida Department of Health (DOH) needs to provide threshold action levels for the organochlorines (bans and health advisories). Request: Council requests DOH initiate toxicology studies on ducks and fish collected on the NSRA to determine if they are edible to remove the prohibition from hunting and fishing if the NSRA is reconnected to Lake Apopka. SJRWMD must not make this determination. Response: FWC supports the SJRWMD s response and defers to their lead on the toxicology analysis. We continue to support in the collection and analysis of fish and waterfowl on the NSRA.

19 Issue 10: Aquatic Vegetation in Downstream Lakes Aquatic vegetation is important for fish and other aquatic life. Request 1: Council requests TAG agencies to determine present existing vegetation in Harris Chain and make recommendations as to how much vegetation is best for the health of the lakes. Include recommendations as to most efficient and cost effective way to improve aquatic vegetation in the lakes. Request 2: Council requests TAG agencies to make recommendations as to the best way to keep canals and narrow boat passage ways where homes exist open.

20 Response Request 1 : As mentioned in the response to Issue 3 above, FWC has begun using side scan technology to identify SAV in lakes that are included in the Long Term Monitoring program. As FWC continues to improve the technique, this program should allow for a detailed analysis of the vegetation coverage and help to identify areas that would benefit from either an increase or diversity of submerged vegetation. FWC strives to manage vegetation in manner which provides quality habitat and improves the overall health of the system.

21 Response Request 2 : Through the aquatic plant management program, FWC coordinates invasive aquatic plant control efforts in the state s 1.25 million acres of public waters. Public water bodies are sovereignty waters accessible by public boat ramps. Active management occurs statewide to ensure that public water bodies are navigable while continuing to provide the necessary habitat for a multitude of freshwater species, migratory birds, wading birds and waterfowl. FWC issues no-cost permits for individuals to manage their own privately owned docks, shorelines, and dead end canals utilizing chemical or mechanical treatment methods to ensure safe ingress and egress from private upland properties. FWC will utilize state funds to treat Category 1 floating invasive plants, such as water hyacinth and water lettuce, in canals that connect to public waters in order to maintain the lowest feasible level of these plants and decrease long-term costs.

22 Issue 11: Fisheries in Downstream Lakes The fisheries success rate has gone up and down over the last few decades. Request: Council requests a determination as to when fish stocking is advantageous and an estimate of the economic costs for doing nothing. Response: Like many things, the success of fisheries can fluctuate over time. The majority of the lakes in the Harris Chain have good recruitment of Florida largemouth bass and therefore are not stocked on a regular basis. FWC will continue to monitor population levels to ensure a sustainable fishery is available to meet the recreational expectations of the public. Should there be a need to enhance the sportfish population through stocking efforts then FWC will ensure that native fish are stocked at appropriate levels.

23 Issue 12: Dredging in Downstream Lakes Dredging is needed in the downstream lakes to remove mud. Request: Council requests agency plans, if any, on downstream dredging Response:FWC currently has no plans for dredging projects in the Harris Chain of Lakes. We will continue to work with our partner agencies

24 FWC Response: FWC has not developed a long term management plan for the Harris Chain of Lakes; instead follows an adaptive management approach in collaboration with our partner agencies, local governments, and the public. Collectively, all agencies manage the lakes to allow for optimum use of fish and wildlife. The Council has requested an audit of expenditures related to the Harris Chain of Lakes. While staff hours are not tracked by project location, FWC can provide an estimate of certain expenditures over the last three years. Please note that, with the exception of Legislative appropriations for Lake Apopka, the management of the Harris Chain of Lakes occurs within FWC s normal operating budget.

25 Additional Request:

26 Annual Management Operations: Annual Management Operations: FY 13/14 FY14/15 FY15/16 FY 16/17 Planned / Expended to Date Fish Attractors $40,000 $40,000 $40,000 $40,000 Emeralda Conservation Area 3 Reconnection Project with SJRWMD $ - $ - $215,650 $400,000 Stocking $24,800 $37,600 $77,500 $200,000 Long Term $65,000 $65,000 $65,000 $70,000 Monitoring Invasive Plant Treatment (Lakes Harris, Griffin, Eustis, and Apopka) $112,088 $1,326,3 41 $1,687,980 $860,812 (to date)

27 FWC Legislative Appropriations: The projects that were supported by the legislative appropriations to FWC were conducted in collaboration with the FDEP and the SJRWMD. Together, the three agencies have worked to identify innovative approaches to the management and restoration of Lake Apopka. The following provides an update on those projects.

28 FWC Appropriation FY : $4,800, V-Clear: Initial pilot project is completed. FDEP was lead on this project, results are under review by SJRWMD and FDEP. 2. Innovative Water Quality Team: This project is designed to reduce nutrients by filtering lake water and chemically binding phosphorous to remove it from the system. Laboratory testing has been completed and a proposal for a full scale pilot project was submitted to SJRWMD for review. (SJRWMD lead) 3. Cavitation: This project is currently in the 2nd phase of a pilot demonstration to evaluate the feasibility of the technology to improve water quality by capturing the nutrients from the water column and utilizing nutrient rich slurry for agricultural purposes. (SJRWMD lead)

29 FWC Appropriation FY Continued 4. Dredging and Near Shore Habitat Restoration: A dredging project has been selected and the SJRWMD is working with the contractor to complete permitting work. Delays have been encountered due to contaminants in the sediments exceeding background levels; alternative approaches are being evaluated. SJRWMD is working with the contractor to develop a scope of work to improve near-shore habitat along the northern area of the lake. The project is designed to improve lake bottom to allow for the natural expansion of the submerged vegetation and remove excess nutrients at the same time. (SJRWMD lead) 5. Near-Shore Habitat Improvement: This project is completed. Funds were utilized for habitat management of the north shore to improve inlake vegetation and install fish attractors in the near shore areas. (FWC lead)

30 FWC Appropriation FY : $2,000, Dredging and Near Shore Habitat Restoration: This is a continuation of the FY 12/13 project. FWC is coordinating with SJRWMD to develop task assignments for the dredging and water treatment in the northern area of the lake. (SJRWMD lead) 2. Univ. of FL Contract: Design of the rapid dewatering system was completed but due to site conditions it was deemed inappropriate to continue with project evaluation.

31 FWC Appropriation FY : $3,000, Allied Group, USA: FWC contracted with Allied Group to develop an innovative in-situ approach to reducing organic sediments and nutrients in Lake Apopka. The pilot project has been completed. Continued operation and maintenance of the system is being funded through FDEP. (FWC lead) 2. Univ. of FL: This project is underway. FWC contracted with the University of Florida to evaluate the effectiveness of the Allied Group s innovative technology project and determine scalability to larger areas. The University of Florida is also completing an assessment of other habitat improvement efforts in Lake Apopka. The project will be completed by the spring of (FWC lead) 3. Dredging and Near Shore Habitat Restoration: This is a continuation of the FY 12/13 project. FWC is coordinating with SJRWMD to develop task assignments for the dredging and water treatment in the northern area of the lake. (SJRWMD lead)

32 Questions Go To MyFWC.com