2014 QTR 1

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President’s Message

Officers and Board Members - 2014

What Friends Are For! Water management continues to

Officers 2014 Mark Weinrub: President……………..

Joel Wolf: Past President …………….

Linda Wolonick: Secretary …………...

T: 954.972.8126 T: 954.382.9766 T: 954.370.0041

Board Members 2014 James Boggs ………………………….

Adam Gardner ………………………...

Dr. Lyn Gettys ………………………....

John Lepage …………………………..

John Lynch …………………………….

John Raymundo ……………………….

Jason Rivera …………………………...

Samantha Sardes ……………………..

Craig Smith …………………………….

Steve Weinsier …………………………

T: 863.557.0076 T: 954.831.0754 T: 954.577.6331 T: 954.654.1150 T: 561.633.7226 T: 561.965.4159 T: 954.572.2388 T: 954.770.3159 T: 561.301.8326 T: 954.382.9766

be a controversial issue in south Florida that is critical to the stability and strength of our state. As water and aquatic plant managers, our tasks are important to ensure

adequate

flow

patterns,

timing,

and

distribution of water, our most valuable asset.

Our society and the forum for the exchange of information provide an important arena for solving many riddles that have an effect on long-term sustainability.

Join us!

Mark Weinrub, President South Florida Aquatic Plant Management Society

Cover Photo: Natalie Nowicki, Florida Atlantic University

The Francis E. “Chil” Rossbach Scholarship Fund Funds from the scholarship are used to help defray costs for students taking classes related to the study of aquatic environmental sciences or related areas. The scholarship is open to anyone, and all are encouraged to apply.

Applications will be accepted throughout the year and the scholarship awarded when a suitable candidate is found. Money raised by the Society during the year partially goes to fund this scholarship, the intent of which is to promote the study of aquatics. For an application, please go to www.sfapms.org.

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Plant of the Month Sea Oats Uniola paniculata At first glance, the Uniola paniculata, most commonly known as the Sea Oat, may just appear to be another grass or shrub growing along the shores of our beaches. What most common beachgoers don’t realize is how this seemingly unimportant rhizomatous plant plays a vital role in protecting the shorelines.

Sea Oats are usually found topping sand dunes along semi-tropical beaches. They are a native coastal plant that is indigenous to beaches from Virginia to Florida. They can also be found along the shores of the Gulf States, Mexico and areas in the Caribbean.

This rhizomatous plant is very important to the coastal ecosystem. They are responsible for creating and retaining sand dunes. Like most rhizomatous plants, Sea Oats have an extensive root system to hold themselves in place along shifting sandy shorelines. These roots are responsible for catching windblown sand and dropping it on the beach to build up sand dunes. Sand dunes are vital in protecting and restoring our beaches. Beaches can be completely destroyed due to erosion from storms, regular wave action, and not having enough sand to rebuild them. Sand dunes replenish the material that is taken away by big storms and storm surges. Without this perennial plant, our Florida beaches would potentially be washed and blown away after being ravaged by our lengthy hurricane season.

Culms of the sea oat grow upwards to a height of six feet with leaf blades that grow as long as two feet. It produces green oat-like panicles that turn a straw color at maturity. Sea oats are a perennial type of plant, which means their life cycle lasts two or more years. They are perfectly suitable to shoreline ecosystems because of their resistance to salt spray and their tolerance to drought. Sea Oats are often harvested for their panicles to be used in floral arrangement, but due to the vital role they play are serving in maintaining our beaches it is illegal to harvest them in Florida and Georgia.

The Youth Environmental Alliance is working locally to restore our local beaches with multitudes of Sea Oat planting days. The non-profit organization has dedicated much time and energy in saving the beaches in south Florida for future generations.

Credit: United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, University of Florida IFAS

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Florida’s Invasive Species Rotala rotundifolia Roundleaf Toothcup

Roundleaf toothcup, Rotala rotundifolia, is one of Florida’s newer aquatic ecosystem invaders first seen here in 1996 coming to us from the international aquarium industry. Rotala is a native of India, but is commonly found here in America in hobbyist’s fresh water aquariums. This plant is an emergent species with different appearances both above and below the waterline. Growing above the water, Rotala has opposite round leaves with a pink stem and a pretty pink spike of flowers. The submerged portion of the plant has leaves that are opposite whorled (like hygrophila) and awl shaped. This plant reproduces both vegetatively through fragmentation and sexually via viable seed production.

Management of this nuisance invasive presents us with a challenge in waters that are used for irrigation.

According to Dr. Bill Haller of University of Florida the two herbicides that are effective for control of Rotala are 2, 4 D and Triclopyr. Both of these herbicides are auxin based with strict irrigation warnings. Diquat was also shown to be effective, but is not as effective as the auxins. Based on field reports to Dr. Lyn Gettys of the University of Florida, Flumioxacin is also effective. Plans are underway for greenhouse testing of this herbicide at the University of Florida. However, Haller’s research is contradictory to those field reports.

Hopefully, we will soon have more tools for this invasive aquatic weed in the near future.

Credit: C.C. Jacono, V.V Vandiver, B. Haller, and L. Gettys of University of Florida IFAS

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Wildlife Corner Lepisosteus platyrhincus Florida Gar This issue of the Hydrophyte features the Florida Gar, the smallest of the Gars found in Florida. The Florida Gar can be found in the Savannah River Drainage region of Georgia, as well as the Ochlockonee River drainage of Florida and Georgia. At maturity, the Florida Gar measures anywhere from 13-34 inches. It has been known to grow upwards of 52 inches. The diet of young Florida Gar consists of small fish, insect larvae, and zooplankton. The adults will usually feed on crustaceans and smaller fish. One distinctive feature of the Florida Gar and other types of Gar is that, compared to other fish, the Gar has a feature called an air bladder.

The air bladder allows them to breathe air so they can survive in lakes, ponds, and rivers that are suffering from low dissolved oxygen. Florida Gar primarily spawns in April and May, but may spawn as late as October. When spawning, the female deposits her eggs in shallow, weedy pools where they are then fertilized by male gars. The female may lay upwards of 6,000 eggs in one mating season. The Florida Gar roe may be very plentiful, but humans are advised to remain their distance because they are highly toxic. Overall, the Florida gar is a unique specimen of Florida’s aquatic ecosystems.

Credit: City Fisher, 2012; Photo Credits: Stephen Montgomery, Allstate Resource Management

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Endangered Species Protection Program (ESPP) Could Spell Trouble for Some Pesticides The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) matters have been put in place with relatively little negative impact on our industry in Florida. However, new challenges have appeared on the horizon.

To quote Tom Delaney, Director of Government Affairs at the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET). “ESPP could spell trouble for some pesticides.”

Under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the government protects endangered and threatened plants and animals (listed species) and the habitats on which they depend. The Endangered Species Protection Program is designed to determine whether pesticide use in a certain geographic area may affect any listed species. If limitations on pesticide use are necessary to protect listed species in that area, the information is relayed through Endangered Species Protection Bulletins.

Bulletins identify the species of concern and the name of the active ingredient in the pesticide that may affect the listed species. They also contain a description of the measures necessary to protect the species , and a county-level map showing the geographic area(s) associated with the protection measures – depending on the susceptibility of the species to other factors, such as vandalism. Bulletins will be effective and enforceable as part of the product label enforceable under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).

If you do not follow the label or bulletin applicable to your pesticide, whether that failure results in harm to a listed species or not, you would be subject to enforcement under the misuse provisions of FIFRA (section 12 (a)(2)(G). Absent authorized incidental take, you could be liable under section 9 of the ESA for any take that occurs as a result of pesticide application, regardless of whether label provisions were followed. This aspect of listed species protection does not change under the ESPP. Enforcement actions under FIFRA are the responsibility of the EPA, but enforcement of the ESA is the responsibility of the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) (jointly referred to as the Services). Your state may have pesticide use limitations beyond those found in your bulletin.

Bulletins are not intended to replace or override any restrictions that your state may impose. You need to be aware of and follow pesticide use limitations by both the state and federal EPA requirements in your area.

PLANET will continue to keep our industry alerted to any further developments on this issue, but please read the labels of any pesticides for which you receive new shipments.

Credit: Tom Delaney is director of government affairs at the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET). If you have any questions about this tomdelaney@landcarenetwork.org.

topic,

you

may

contact

him

at

800-395-2522

or

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2013 Annual Photo Contest Entries We would like to thank all of our photo contest participants. This year’s winner is the cover photo entered by Natalie Nowicki of Florida Atlantic University.

Entry by Holly Sutter “Fountain”

Entry by Cat Noelle “Hibiscus”

Entry by Neal Ottoway “Question Mark Ibis”

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Entry by Justin McAllister “Snakehead Fish”

Entry by Angie Song “Waterscape”

Entry by Stephanie Farrell “Alligators”

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Featured Algae Live vs. Dead Algae Algae Problem or Resolved Issue If you live on a lake in South Florida, you’ve probably encountered scenes like the ones pictured (especially in summer months). “It’s unsightly. It’s a mess. I called about this before. Why hasn’t anyone done anything?” Although neither picture represents a desirable situation they are very different. The picture on the left represents a legitimate algae concern. The picture down below is actually what the previous picture would look like after it has been treated. Algae are very simple plants and by nature are able to reproduce and grow very quickly. This is why blooms can seemingly show up overnight. The misunderstanding of algae management often occurs AFTER it has been treated. Even though the accumulated mass of algae may have responded to treatment it still requires time to decompose and sink. The mats are naturally buoyant, and decomposition can create gas bubbles that become trapped under them, keeping them afloat. Once an applicator has treated an algal bloom it’s up to Mother Nature to finish the job. The only option for instant gratification is manual removal of the dead mats. While this is an option, it can be costly due to its time consuming nature and fees associated with disposal of collected material. This service is available from most companies, but not typically included in a standard contract. Dispatching applicators to treat material that is already dead keeps them from addressing other issues in your lakes. Your observations of the situation are extremely important in helping aquatic plant managers address your lake issues efficiently. Algae requiring treatment will typically be bright or vivid green in color, and float high on the water. Already treated algae will be dull brown or tan, similar in color to cardboard or a paper bag. Treated algae will also sit lower in the water and portions of the mat may even be sinking. Aquatic plant managers should always respond to your concerns and strive to help you better understand your lake and the manager’s role in its care.

Credit: Stephen Montgomery, Senior Biologist Allstate Resource Management

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Everglades Restoration a High Priority for FWC The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), at its meeting Nov. 20 in Weston, presented a position paper designed to help guide Everglades restoration.

The position paper provides guidance on how to resolve habitat and wildlife issues as the FWC and partners work together on Everglades-restoration efforts. This document is an important tool for managing the habitats and species in this complex ecosystem.

In the position paper, FWC biologists provide science-based information regarding the timing, distribution and flow of water throughout the Everglades ecosystem. It also provides data collected over the past 60 years demonstrating how fluctuating water levels impact the wildlife and habitats in this ecosystem.

“It’s all about the quality, quantity, timing and distribution of water,” said FWC Commissioner Ron Bergeron.

“Our approach is adaptive and based on six decades of in-the-field science.”

Extreme high and low water events negatively impact the ecosystem’s native wildlife and habitats. For example, extreme high water levels are detrimental for terrestrial species such as panthers, deer, bobcats and raccoons. High water conditions reduce the amount of available food sources and indirectly may lead to the spread of disease. Extremely low water levels can also have negative impacts such as peat fires that can cause long-lasting damage to tree islands and other plant communities. Returning the water flow back to a more natural state will have positive impacts for native plants and animals.

“We need flexibility in dealing with extreme high or low water events because either means sudden death for the Everglades ecosystem,” said Bergeron. “We need to have the tools and policies to manage emergency water events so that we can keep the Everglades alive during the largest restoration effort in the world.”

FWC staff will continue to protect fish and wildlife resources by participating in planning meetings and providing comments, review and input into future decisions about Everglades restoration.

To learn more about the FWC’s major wildlife management area in this ecosystem, the Everglades and Francis S. Taylor WMA, visit MyFWC.com/Viewing and select “Wildlife Management Areas” then “Explore by Name.”

Credit: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

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Calendar of Upcoming Events January 30 SFAPMS Board of Directors Meeting www.sfapms.org February 3-6, 2014 Weed Science Society of America 2014 Annual Meeting Vancouver, British Columbia www.wssa.net February 27 SFAPMS General Meeting www.sfapms.org June 16-19 Florida Lake Management Society 25th Annual Technical Symposium Stuart, FL www.flms.net October 13-16 Florida Aquatic Plant Management Society 38th Annual Training Conference Daytona Beach, FL www.fapms.org

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“TrophyCatch” by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission TrophyCatch is a new angler recognition program hosted by FWC. This program is free and provides valuable rewards to anglers who document and release largemouth bass that weigh in at over eight pounds. As long as the bass is caught legally in the state of Florida it is eligible.

Please remember that you must release these fish. The rewards range in value from $100-$1000. The program’s goals include identifying the best bass fish nurseries, decreasing mortality, and promoting ecological values.

For information: TrophyCatchFlorida.com

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Applicator Information

Approaching the end of winter means summer is right around the corner here in sunny south Florida.

Summer will bring with it all of its hot, humid, buggy glory. Speaking of bugs, Florida is chock full of parasites. One of which is Swimmer’s itch. While some people think of swimmer’s itch as what you get from larval jellyfish at the beach, there is a freshwater parasite also known by the same name.

Swimmer’s itch, schistosome cercarial dermatitis, is

Cercariae; Health & Safety Watch

caused by a parasitic flatworm called a fluke. This tiny worm is capable of causing an extreme amount of discomfort to plant managers.

Adult flukes live in the digestive tract of a few different species of aquatic birds. They lay their eggs in the digestive tract and the eggs are then transferred through the bird’s excrement into the water.

When the larva hatch out of the eggs they swim in the water looking for a specific species of snail which host the next stage of their life cycle. The snail is referred to as the vector. When the flukes emerge from the snails they are in their second larval stage called cercaria. At this point in their life cycle the cercaria will traditionally seek out another aquatic bird, its preferred host, to mature in and lay eggs. On occasion, people, like plant managers, are in the water and the cercaria find them instead. They burrow into the skin of the person and die shortly after leaving itchy, burning red spots that can last for over a week.

One of our board members, Dr. Lyn Gettys of the University of Florida here in south Florida had a personal experience with this in late spring of 2013.

She had drained her freshwater aquatic plant tanks to rake algae and after a few hours felt like she had been stung by some ants, but didn’t see any marks.

Several days later her lower legs that had been submerged in the water for hours were on fire with itchiness and burning and covered in small red Infected Plant Tank; Dr. Gettys 2013

spots. It took a few weeks for marks to go away but no major damage was done by the flukes.

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Dr. Gettys 3 days after exposure; 2013

One way to reduce your chances of contracting schistosome cercarial dermatitis is to limit the amount of time you spend unprotected in shallow freshwater systems. If you must spend extended periods in the water try a pair of waders. If you are not wearing protection

dry

immediately

off after

exiting the water. Do not

feed

aquatic

birds because this may encourage them to defecate in areas where people work and swim as well as making

the

birds

expectant of human food.

Dr. Gettys’ new protective equipment

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Industry Announcements LABELING CHANGES: US Department of Labor’s OSHA revises Hazard Communication Standard In an effort to make international shipping, manufacturing, transportation, and handling of hazardous materials more efficient and safe, the United States is changing the way we communicate about labeling and updating our system. The new hazardous communication system is the Globally Harmonized System (GHS). More information regarding the new system can be accessed through OSHA’s website: www.osha.gov. Employers as of December 1st of 2013 must have trained all their employees in the new system.

By June 1st of this year all manufacturers will be using the GHS for labeling. As of June 1st 2016 all changes will have been made to new system and the transition period will be complete. Some companies are already offering the new SDS sheets to replace your old chemical MSDS’s. Please keep in mind this not like the time the United States tried to change to the metric system from the English standard system. The hazardous communication system is definitely changing and the sooner we learn it and get accustomed to it, the smoother the transition will be. Pictured to the left is the new pictogram system for quick reference.

Join SFAPMS Today!

We can help you with continuing education units for your license.

Applicators seeking a license in the aquatic category must demonstrate practical knowledge of: • Pest organisms in aquatic environments • Control measures that pertain to the control of such pests • The equipment or methodologies required to safely and effectively implement such measures • Calculating the volume of water to be treated • Application rates • pH • Potential secondary effects • Various water use situations and the potential of downstream effects • Potential pesticide effects on non-target organisms; and • The principles of limited area application

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The Hydrophyte

South Florida Aquatic Plant Management Society proudly thanks New SILVER Sponsors:

And Bronze Sponsor:

South Florida APMS 6900 SW 21st Court Building 9 Davie, FL 33317

Place stamp here