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Kissimmee Chain of Lakes invasive plant management meeting Feb. 23

Source: Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission News Release

Managing aquatic plants in the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes is the topic of a Feb. 23 public meeting hosted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). The meeting in Kissimmee is from 6-8 p.m. in the fourth-floor County Commission Chambers, Osceola County Administration Building, 1 Courthouse Square.

"We want to know what business owners, property owners, anglers, hunters, bird watchers, airboaters and others who have a vested interest in the chain of lakes think,” said Ed Harris, FWC invasive plant management biologist. “Now is the time to get and stay involved."

The goal of this meeting is to provide updates, answer questions and receive public input on current hydrilla management, herbicide monitoring reports, emergent habitat management status, snail kite nesting, submerged vegetation mapping and pondweed management on East Lake Tohopekaliga (called Toho for short). Public input from the wide variety of user groups on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, which includes lakes Kissimmee, Hatchineha, Cypress, Jackson, Toho and East Lake Toho, is critical to create a well-balanced approach to managing hydrilla and other invasive aquatic plants.

"This is part of our ongoing process that will maintain a regular dialogue with stakeholders about aquatic plant management on the Kissimmee Chain. We hope everyone interested in aquatic plant management efforts will attend this meeting and provide input,” Harris said.

For more details about the meeting, contact Ed Harris at 407-858-6170.