01/05/2010: Conservation Update

Lake Conroe - Quick interaction with the governing agencies seems to have brought a halt to the removal of native plant species that were growing naturally on the lake.  Within one day, Assistant State Conservation Director Ron Gunter’s intercession with the San Jacinto River Authority; with the backing of TPWD, resulted in a ‘cease and desist’ of native plant removal from spawning grounds on the already denuded Lake Conroe.  The prompt results of Ron’s communication prove that as anglers, we are a powerful force in keeping our fishing habitats healthy. 

From TPWD (Howard Elder, Aquatic Habitat Biologist)
Toledo Bend - The 2000 acre mat treated in early November broke up and scattered small concentrations of both water hyacinth and salvinia to new areas in the southern portion of the reservoir.  For many areas it is the first time hyacinth and salvinia has ever been seen.  We feel the high water level on Toledo Bend in 2009 combined with heavy rainfall contributed to the amount of vegetation forced into the main reservoir in November.  Conditions permitting, the situation may have been avoided with a 4-6 foot fall drawdown.
As far as we can tell the herbicide treatment was effective.  Keep in mind however; the treatments were followed closely by freezing temperatures which can have similar effects. I still receive occasional reports from homeowners requesting we do something, but effectiveness of herbicides is questionable in colder temperatures and treated plants do not decompose quickly. Even treated plants remain an eyesore and only move if the wind pushes them somewhere else. We will be requesting bids for herbicide applications for 2010 on Toledo Bend in the very near future. We hope to begin treatments of access points and heavily infested areas by late April or early May.

Sam Rayburn- The upper reaches of the Angelina arm of Sam Rayburn remains a concern. Reports indicate giant salvinia has spread to other smaller creeks on both sides of the Angelina in spite of a containment boom set in place by the USACE.   A small infestation (5 acres) independent of the major problem in the Angelina was discovered near Monterrey Park boat ramp in Pophers Creek near SH147.  Other areas of interest include Stanley Creek, Harvey Creek, and isolated reports from the Bear Creek arm. It is possible that some reports are common salvinia. Each instance must be investigated and the plants positively identified. Extensive surveys will begin as soon as conditions permit.
            A formal management plan for the treatment of giant salvinia on Sam Rayburn is currently under development.  The Lower Neches Valley Authority (LNVA) has agreed to commit additional funds to an existing contract with the USACE to support herbicide applications on Sam Rayburn in 2010. The USACE will supply necessary herbicides for control efforts on Rayburn. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between USACE, LNVA, and TPWD to address control efforts in 2010 is presently under review and will outline specific obligations of each agency in control efforts. Focused treatments will begin as soon as water temperatures are favorable

Caddo- High water events this fall helped flush a lot of salvinia out of Caddo and into the Red River.  The floods also helped strand many plants above the waterline, or in trees where it will hopefully wither and die. Cold temperatures promise additional stress on remaining plants.  A contract is in place for herbicide applications on Caddo during the 2010 growing season.  
We have been conducting site visits to establish giant salvinia weevil rearing facilities on the Caddo National Wildlife Refuge.  Cooperators in the effort include the TPWD, USFWS, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, LSU, the Caddo Lake Institute and others. We are currently in the process of arranging electricity and water for the site and hope to have two rearing ponds built by the end of January.

Leslie McGaha
SE Texas Bass Federation Nation
Conservation Co-Director
832-266-6242
Mcgaha78@yahoo.com

10/21/09: Conservation News!

Greetings;

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but I'm sure you're already aware that there has been a new and large Giant Salvinia outbreak on the Angelina River just upstream of Sam Rayburn Reservoir.

The implications for our fishery and water quality are significant but - Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is aware of it and we, the SE TX BASS Federation Nation Conservation team, are in coordination with TPWD to try and stave off the worst of the damage.  Please see this article in the Houston Chronicle that summarizes the issue: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/outdoors/tompkins/6679793.html

TPWD has not published a formal plan of action yet however I am confident that with your support we can prevent this menace from taking over this valuable - both ecologically and monetarily - waterway. 

At this time I am asking for your help to please spread the news of this latest outbreak.  Action to prevent catastrophe will only happen if enough people are involved and I'd like you to please help increase awareness. 

Thank you very much,

Leslie McGaha
Conservation Director
SE TX BASS Federation Nation
832-266-6242

Click on the image below to read more about this invasive species of plant, where it came from and the effect it is having on the fish population in our lakes. You can also report sitings of Giant Salvinia that will be verified by a State Biologist. This will help in the erradication process.

10/21/09: Latest Aquatic Vegitation News

Click here to read an article in the Houston Chronicle Outdoors section about a 400 acre Giant Salvinia infestation in the Angelina River, just upstream of Lake Sam Rayburn.

Leslie McGaha
Conservation Director
TBFN Southeast Region

Giant Salvinia Roundup on Sam Rayburn: July 18, 2009

Hi everyone;

First off I want to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who made this effort a success.  Bill Watts and his club from Beaumont - the Houston Bass Bandits plus a friend from Dallas; members of the Magnolia Tomball Bass Club; a very nice local couple and even some friends and family from Louisiana helped scour the lake.  Mr. Jimmie Lee who is the North Central Texas Bass Federation Nation Conservation Director came all the way down and really helped make this successful.  Two local Boy Scout troops came and pitched in by passing out information to everyone who launched at Jackson Hill that day and also by picking up litter from around the area.  The boys collected about 30 pounds of trash as a part of Keep Texas Beautiful. 

We had amazing success with our sponsors; Jackson Hill Marina, Sealy Outdoors, Pineywoods Sanitation; Boatlanes; TPWD, BASS ACT, Keep Texas Beautiful and of course, the South East Texas Bass Federation. 

We had three goals going in: 1 - remove any giant salvinia we found, 2 - increase public awareness and 3 - map locations of any populations found. 

In an odd twist of irony we actually found ZERO giant salvinia.  As I told my husband, of all the things I was afraid would be a no-show, the salvinia wasn't it!  Over a dozen people on six boats covered at least one third of the shoreline and found only common salvinia; no giant salvinia at all!  About 20 pounds of common salvinia was collected from Harvey Creek by the Ledet family. 

So the first goal ended up being a happy dud, but we were also serving a greater goal to educate.  Mr. Watts had an excellent idea that we'll expand on - increasing awareness at every ramp the region uses during our regional tournaments.  Based of his very practical idea that will be a major focus during the 2010 fishing season. 

While we had a third goal, map populations of giant salvinia and we even had Boatlanes signed on to help with that, there won't be a map because there weren't any populations that we found. 

Hopefully; the links to the TV piece and newspaper article come through with this email.  Please note that any errors in the information are all my fault and no one else. 

Volunteers roundup Giant Salvinia in Lake Sam Rayburn

For anyone who puts out information on this event; please help further education by putting out three things that every person can do to help combat this type of problem:
1 - Buy a hunting and fishing license; even if you don't hunt or fish.  That money goes towards conservation.
2 - Be a responsible pet and aquarium owner.  Do not release any animal or plant into the wild; people who release fish, birds, snakes, plants, etc are not only being irresponsible they are probably breaking the law. 
3 - Clean off all aquatic equipment when you leave a body of water; be it dogs, waders, jet skis, bass boats or a canoe.  This simple, tiny and free thing can prevent the spread of nuisance hitchhikers. 

For the future it is hard to say if a Salvnia Roundup will occur on Sam Rayburn again in the next few years.  Obviously TPWD is doing an AMAZING job and we wish to continue to support their efforts.  A number of interested parties have suggested a more aggressive effort on Toledo Bend - please let me know your thoughts on that idea for a conservation project in 2010. 

Last but not least; the Magnolia Tomball Bass club and the bass fishing world lost a great friend and ally last week, Mr. George Cook.  He was a great person and a dear friend.  George had signed up to help with the roundup but was called away by his Lord to serve Him.  Please say a prayer for his family. 

God Bless and hug your loved ones and thank God that we live in the most amazing place in the world.  Thank you for helping to keep it one of the most amazing places in the world! 

Respectfully,

Leslie McGaha
Conservation Co-Director
Southease Region
Texas BASS Federation Nation

Bass care guidelines provided by Sure Life.

Article on invasive species in Houston area lakes.

8/5/06 - The following point system was voted on by the state board of directors in August of 2006. Conservation activities are part of those requirements. These requirements will have to be met in 2007 in order for a club to participate in the State Championship in 2008.

Club Point System - Passed by Unanimous Vote.

50 Club Points Required to send one or more Teams to the State Top Six Championship. Club must be affiliated with the Texas BASS Federation Nation and points accumulated between January 1st and December 31st of the previous year. Clubs that join the Federation Nation after September 30th must have their Qualifying Activity points approved by the State Board of Directors as submitted by their Region Director.

Qualifying Activities

20 Points for Each Event Sponsored by The Club
-Conservation Event
-Youth Event
-Jr Bassmaster Club
-Special Event Sponsorship
   -PVA Sponsor
   -Fishing For Freedom Sponsor
   -Etc.
-Discretionary Event Sponsor
10 Points for Event Participation by Club Members
-Special Event Participation
   -PVA Participation
   -Fishing For Freedom Participation
   -Etc.
-Club Event Participation
-Region Trail Participation
-Minn Kota and/or B.A.S.S. Club of The Year Submittal
-Sanctioned Region Event Participation
-State Meeting Attendance
-Conservation Event Participation
-Youth Event Participation
   -Jr Bassmaster
   -Casting Kids
-Discretionary Event Participation