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Re: noxious weeds again (was Re: Eichhornia)
>>You have to remember that the noxious weed list is a REGULATORY tool,
based
on what the USDA and the folks who are working with them think (and
hopefully generally can support with scientific data) is a real problem, AND
that they can actually control, or have a chance of controlling. This is a
highly political process, where plants that should be listed are excluded
because of some agriculatural interest, <<
There is another political interest that few people will admit to..the
recreational boating industry is very active in supporting invasive plant
regulation, and quite often the justification written into proposed laws
cites invasive plants tangling in boat propellers as a safety hazard. Those
lakes where laws are most heavily enforced are where there is large boating
traffic. Often this is even enforced in man made lakes whos only naitive
plant speceis were previosly growing in dusty dirt, not water. I worked in
the parks department briefly here in Santa Clara County, California where we
regulary dredged the lake bottoms close to shore of any plant life...naitive
or not. The Delta water system in northern california is host to thousands
of boaters and fisherman every summer. If it wasnt, I doubt the government
would be paying much attention to the plant growth in these water systems. I
do a little bass, trout, and salmon fishing. I have fished in Maine,
Colorado, and California...and there are so many other eviornmental issues
going on in these lakes that prevent these fish from being suitable for
human consumption, (due in part to motor boating), I have a hard time being
concerned about Cabomba growing in a man made lake in New Hampshire, or
Ambulia growing wild in California. Even in Florida where there is the most
serious invasive plant problem, the boating industries pockets are still
deep.
Robert Paul H
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