The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has initiated a project to manage aquatic plants on Lake Okeechobee starting the week of October 28. The management will cover a total of 1,015 acres, including a dense cattail marsh in southern Moore Haven and an area of phragmites on Kings Bar.
The project aims to improve habitats for various species such as the endangered Everglade snail kite, wading birds, waterfowl, and other marsh species. By reducing dense vegetation, it will also enhance lake access for anglers and hunters.
The FWC will use helicopters to manage the large-scale project. Cattails will be treated with imazamox, a selective herbicide that spares beneficial native plants like sawgrass and bulrush. Phragmites will be managed using imazapyr; since the area is exclusively phragmites, other species won't be affected.
Both herbicides are approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. There are no restrictions on fishing or swimming in treated areas.
The proposed management areas have been approved by the Lake Okeechobee Aquatic Plant Management Interagency Task Force. About two to six months after applying herbicides, prescribed fire will be used to further open these areas for wildlife and reduce organic material decay on the lakebed.
This integrated management approach combines techniques like herbicides and prescribed burning with occasional drying events during low water periods, which is commonly used by FWC across Florida's lakes and wetlands.
For more information about water bodies or this specific project, visit MyFWC.com/Lake or contact FWC biologist Alyssa Jordan at 863-697-2181.