"
To
rbocrb2@gr5trboc.org
RBOC CALL-TO-ARMS
RBOC Urging Boaters to Contact their Federal and State Representatives
Delta Hyacinth Infestation
January 14, 2013
RBOC is encouraging boaters to contact their federal and state representatives, urging them to apply the appropriate pressure on the federal permitting agencies and bureaucracies to approve the new California permit requests and enable action to be taken to abate the unprecedented infestation of water hyacinth in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
Click Here: http://www.rboc.org/documents/RBOC-WaterHyacinthSampleLetter1-14-13.pdf
for the sample letter boaters can send to their representatives in the US Senate, US House of Representatives, and State Legislature.
The waterways of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, and the rivers and streams that feed The Delta, have experienced unprecedented infestation of water hyacinth, an aquatic plant that reproduces very quickly as air and water temperatures increase. The infestation the past two years has grown out of control resulting in clogged waterways that interfere with commerce on The Delta and negatively impact recreational boating, fishing, and tourism.
The California Department of Boating and Waterways (DBW) has had the statutory responsibility to control this invasive species for many years. DBW is required to obtain federal permits in order to apply the pesticides that will combat the infestation.
Significant permit requirements imposed by the National Marine Fisheries Services (NMFS) and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) have exacerbated the situation. These permit requirements have:
Limited the window of time during which pesticide spraying is allowed.
Restricted starting dates for spraying to dates that are several months after the air and water temperatures have exceeded the level at which the rapid hyacinth growth is triggered.
Constrained the number of acres that could be treated.
These limitations have led to an infestation of historical proportions.
Studies have demonstrated that: [a] the primary factors contributing to the growth of hyacinth are the air and water temperatures; and the pesticides the department is using have no negative impact on the fisheries.
The US Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, DBW's federal partner for the water hyacinth control program, has submitted new permit applications to NMFS and USFWS requesting that: [a] start and stop dates be determined by water and air temperatures rather than designated calendar dates; and the number of applications be based on need. It is critical that these applications be expedited.
Boater contacts with their elected officials should urge their representatives to take a personal interest in this critical matter and apply the appropriate pressure on the federal permitting agencies."
www.rboc.org
To
rbocrb2@gr5trboc.org
RBOC CALL-TO-ARMS
RBOC Urging Boaters to Contact their Federal and State Representatives
Delta Hyacinth Infestation
January 14, 2013
RBOC is encouraging boaters to contact their federal and state representatives, urging them to apply the appropriate pressure on the federal permitting agencies and bureaucracies to approve the new California permit requests and enable action to be taken to abate the unprecedented infestation of water hyacinth in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
Click Here: http://www.rboc.org/documents/RBOC-WaterHyacinthSampleLetter1-14-13.pdf
for the sample letter boaters can send to their representatives in the US Senate, US House of Representatives, and State Legislature.
The waterways of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, and the rivers and streams that feed The Delta, have experienced unprecedented infestation of water hyacinth, an aquatic plant that reproduces very quickly as air and water temperatures increase. The infestation the past two years has grown out of control resulting in clogged waterways that interfere with commerce on The Delta and negatively impact recreational boating, fishing, and tourism.
The California Department of Boating and Waterways (DBW) has had the statutory responsibility to control this invasive species for many years. DBW is required to obtain federal permits in order to apply the pesticides that will combat the infestation.
Significant permit requirements imposed by the National Marine Fisheries Services (NMFS) and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) have exacerbated the situation. These permit requirements have:
Limited the window of time during which pesticide spraying is allowed.
Restricted starting dates for spraying to dates that are several months after the air and water temperatures have exceeded the level at which the rapid hyacinth growth is triggered.
Constrained the number of acres that could be treated.
These limitations have led to an infestation of historical proportions.
Studies have demonstrated that: [a] the primary factors contributing to the growth of hyacinth are the air and water temperatures; and the pesticides the department is using have no negative impact on the fisheries.
The US Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, DBW's federal partner for the water hyacinth control program, has submitted new permit applications to NMFS and USFWS requesting that: [a] start and stop dates be determined by water and air temperatures rather than designated calendar dates; and the number of applications be based on need. It is critical that these applications be expedited.
Boater contacts with their elected officials should urge their representatives to take a personal interest in this critical matter and apply the appropriate pressure on the federal permitting agencies."
www.rboc.org