Scottsboro City Council Meeting - Aquatic Nuisance Species Issue - Roseberry Rescue Group

At last nights City of Scottsboro's City Council Meeting there were 46 citizens in attendance. Six citizens spoke concerning the elimination of nuisance weeds in Roseberry Creek. The agenda is listed:

The City of Scottsboro's City Council approved item 12 on the agenda by a majority vote.

SCOTTSBORO CITY COUNCIL APPROVES $50K DISBURSAL TO ROSEBERRY RESCUE GROUP SPRAYING. FAILS TO REQUIRE LONG TERM CONTROL PLAN OR TVA/ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION BIOLOGIST INPUT. Provided either the County Commission or the Legislative Delegation contributes another $50K. 3 out of 4 was the requirement approved by the majority of the council. The 4 possible contributing groups are the Roseberry Rescue Group, the State Legislative Delegation, the Jackson County Commission and the City of Scottsboro. 

 Roseberry and Dry Creek area from the City Park.

Council Member Carol McCrary voted no on the issue. Ms. McCrary stated, "we need TVA's input on this matter...I cannot in good conscience vote for the approval of this issue."

It was very disturbing to see the Scottsboro City Council not recognize the necessity of acquiring the professional input of a biologist or fisheries expert to examine the Roseberry/Dry Creek nuisance species problem. The City Council did not establish a requirement to develop a long term control plan involving the input of an Alabama Department of Conservation or TVA Biologist for this project.

By all appearances, the Scottsboro City Council is catering to the request of influential special interest groups while ignoring good sense, legal requirements and explicit responsibilities of other government agencies.

The council ignored what the fisherman present were telling them was occuring to the fishery. They also ignored the request to develop a long term plan and acquiring the advice of a professional biologist in addressing this problem.

There is a TVA meeting in Chattanooga Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012. A public listening session by the TVA Board will begin at 9AM Eastern time, 8AM our time.

Our regional environmental group supports responsible aquatic nuisance species control, not decimation of the fishery via improper application of herbicide treatment to sensitive riparian areas of Dry Creek and Roseberry Creek area.

Our group request was plainly stated to the City Council, the Roseberry Rescue Group, the City's Attorney and the Mayor. The press also received a copy of our environmental groups request and suggestions for the proper management of this problem.

It was plainly stated by the Roseberry Rescue Group their only concern was for themselves and not for the preservation of the fishery or the environment. The group spokesperson stated, paraphrased: "Go somewhere else to fish, you have 98% of Guntersville Reservoir to fish."

If the project is to be accomplished, it must be done in accordance with sound practices of environmental-watershed management and the law for the benefit of the fishery, the wildlife, while allowing proper usage and navigation to and from the area for the public. 

Since the application of the aquatic herbicide begining 3 years ago algae has become a problem. This problem was demonstrated to the City Council last night but had no effect on the city council. 

Profuse Algae growth may be seen in shallow and up to 6 foot depths in the area. 

A sample of the algae was collected and taken to the city council meeting. when a body of water has excessive phosphate, nitrates or other effluent or runoff problems algae will become excessive. There are 2 sewage treatment plants in this area.  Plus considerable farm land drainage. The large area removal and destruction of aquatic species by the methodology applied results in a high risk environmental scenario of which the Roseberry Rescue Group nor the City of Scottsboro seem to grasp.

More information on the TVA meeting Thursday, Feb 16, 2012 at 8AM Central time in Chattanooga, Tn.: http://www.tva.com/abouttva/board/index.htm Sign up page to address the TVA Board: http://www.tva.com/abouttva/board/speak.htm

It is TVA's explicit responsibility as stated in the TVA's policy to manage this problem. TVA policy link: http://www.tva.gov/rrsc/readingroom/aquaplantrec.htm

A biologists perspective: http://www.chattanoogan.com/2011/2/4/193833/TWRA-Expert-Weighs-in-on-Milfoil.aspx

Previous articles on my blog about this issue: http://arklite.blogspot.com/search/label/Roseberry%20Rescue%20Group

Toxicity studies of Fluridone: U.S Bureau of Land Management, Fluridone Ecological Risk Assessment, November 2005, Bureau of Land Management Contract No. NAD010156ENSR Document Number 09090-020-650;  Section 3.1.3.1- "...fluridone is considered to be moderately toxic to fish species. Most studies reviewed, and all studies selected, for TRV derivation for fish were based on products containing at least 97% fluridone." 3.1.3.3- "The toxicity of fluridone was evaluated with several freshwater aquatic invertebrates, including water fleas (e.g., Daphnia magna), scuds (Hyallela spp.), crayfish (e.g. Astacidae), and chironomids. Acute toxicity was observed in aquatic invertebrates exposure to fluridone..." Fluridone Ecological Risk Assessment, Final Report The report goes on to state that larger animals and wildlife, including birds, are not effected if the application of the herbicide is performed properly. However, there is a risk to native aquatic species in the treatment area.

Conclusion: there is a moderate to high risk to the fishery and the the fishery food chain. This may account for the poor fishing within the area of Roseberry and Dry Creek area as reported by members of the Bass Anglers Clubs and fisherman speaking at last nights city council meeting.

We do not want what the picture to the left demonstrates. What probably will be acheived in the Dry and Roseberry Creek area will be what the Bass Club members described in last nights Scottsboro City Council meeting," no cover, no fish, the fish left the area." And so have the fisherman and their money.