Scottsboro, Alabama - May 7, 2018 Scottsboro City Council Work Session - Invasive Aquatic Plant Species and "The Conveyor Belt"

Scottsboro City Hall photo by G. Morgan

AGENDA

City Council Member Smith discusses the necessity of keeping Roseberry Creek free from invasive water plant species which may obstruct the waterways surrounding city park, county park and the entire embayment where businesses and residents are located. The county has not approved a budget amendment authorization to assist in control of invasive water plant species species. However, the county does not have general fund money for such a project. TVA is refusing to assist in any further  weed abatement projects although the environmental and economic impacts are very much part of TVA's concern.

Also, the Conveyor Belt Issue and Mr. Blizzard, discussed at 31:20 by Mr. Smith. Mr. Blizzard is currently on sick leave. 

VIDEO

Jackson County Commission, Roseberry Rescue Group Request - Invasive Water Weeds, April 24,2018

Is this what you want, an unmanageable waterway?

Milfoil, Hydrilla - invasive water weeds in Guntersville Lake impeding navigation and recreation activities. These invasive species, if not abated, will result in a loss of revenue for areas like Jackson County Park in Scottsboro, Alabama. Thus far the Jackson County Commission has refused to contribute to the abatement plan in the past 6 years, although they are the only revenue producing entity on Roseberry Creek. The Commission has approved expansion of the County Park area docks, camp grounds and cabins amounting to millions of dollars in expansion expense. (photo by TVA)

The problem with aquatic invasive species on Guntersville Lake, Aquatic Plant Management Plan: http://www.lakeguntersvillestakeholders.org/index.php/invasive_plants

Lowell Bivens, Roseberry Rescue Group, makes presentation regarding the importance of controlling the invasive species in the Roseberry Creek area.

The Roseberry Rescue Group, a 501c3 organization dedicated to controlling the invasive water species, made a presentation to the commission Tuesday afternoon requesting their support in abating the invasive water weeds species in the Roseberry Creek area surrounding the Jackson County Park.

AGENDA

(Click on image for an expanded view.)

VIDEO

Scottsboro City Council Work Session

Concerning the City Council Report I usually refrain from personal comment until after the report. The issue of Aquatic Weed Control in Guntersville Lake calls for an exception to my rule.
>
Some have a myopic view of aquatic flora on Guntersville Lake, such as the picture above demonstrates. "Kill all aquatic weeds" is the demand from Retired Judge Wallace Haralson, speaking concerning the formation of a not-for profit organization, Roseberry Rescue Group, for the abolishment of aquatic weeds in Roseberry and Dry Creek area of Guntersville Reservoir in Scottsboro. He stated there were 161 citizens signed up to support the elimination of aquatic weeds in the area. Judge Haralson requested the City of Scottsboro contribute to the removal of 1500+ acres of aquatic growth in the above mentioned creeks, a contribution of $90,000.
>
The above "myopic sea of green" is a summer picture at the mouth of North Sauty Creek at Goose Pond Colony. Will the City of Scottsboro finance the control the aquatic weeds in other areas? Or, will they only control Roseberry aquatic weeds. Aquatic flora is necessary for diverse aquatic life. Eliminate the "weeds" you eliminate the fishery for the area. However, if foreign aquatic weeds, such as the milfoil and hydrilla, become the predominent aquatic flora it results in the elimination of native aquatic flora. The TVA has stated they will maintain channels and public access areas free from aquatic weeds. Lakeside Boat Dock owners are up in arms about the "weed" situation around their private boat docks. The TVA has recently stated they will stop clearing aquatic weeds around private boat docks. Boat dock owners should maintain areas around their docks at their own expense. Those same owners have no business poisoning the aquatic growth in large areas of Guntersville Lake.
>
I do not believe my city tax money should be used for the destruction of the fishery in Roseberry and Dry Creek. Judge Haralson promised that the influential lake owners would be very appreciative of the City Council's efforts to give money for killing the weeds around their boat docks.
>
This link concerning the use of Fluridone is provided. http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/plants/management/FluridoneStrategies.html Note that the "weeds" will return but in the mean time the milfoil and hydrilla will be replaced by abundant green algae "slime" and the fish will travel to where there is cover.
>
This info is provided by the manufactorers of Fluridone: "Fluridone can only be used in very still water like the back end of coves and creeks, because — to be effective — it must remain in contact with the plant for a prolonged period. In addition, when Fluridone is used, the entire volume of water – shoreline to shoreline, surface to bottom – must be treated. Obviously, for this reason, Fluridone is not suitable for use along the shoreline of the main lake, or any body of water with significant current flow. ...A permit called a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit (NPDES) permit is needed to treat water bodies with aquatic herbicides."
>
The bigger problem. Elimination of the Hydrilla on Guntersville Lake is a grand problem, not only for the lakeside home owners and the City of Scottsboro but all the various government agencies involved in the Guntersville Lake ecosystem. A workable plan involving ADEM, Citizens, TVA, local government and professional biologists is required to resolve this problem. Hydrilla link: http://www.lakeouachita.org/hydrilla-impact-on-lake-ouachita.htm and http://www.anstaskforce.gov/spoc/hydrilla.php Half baked ideas, exagerations and independent, possible illegal action, is not the answer. A reasonable scientific approach to this large scale ecological problem executed by a leader is the answer. Are there any reasonable leaders out there interested in reaching a solution to the hydrilla problem?

In other business, Mayor Potter discussed changes to the First Monday Ordinance, fees will be eliminated begining in October 2009.
>>
Police Chief Dawe reported that the new Justice Center is 97% complete.

Weed Control on Lake Guntersville, Solutions vs. Problem vs. Political Pressure (part 2)

TVA debt in excess of $25 billion dollars and approaching the mandated $30 billion dollar Federally mandated congressional cap. How peculiar that TVA's lack of aquatic weed control gets our local political representatives upset over TVA mismanagement. It seems when the elite citizens of the community can't get to their boat docks all hades breaks loose. Are our political representatives placing the horse before the cart? It would seem that mismanagement of the TVA is not as important as some citizen's boat docks. Then, there are the threats of poisoning the waters by "agent orange, battery acid, anti-freeze." As if our representatives are not aware that the attempt to utilize these substances in our water are not only illegal but it seems they are threatening their usage if TVA doesn't control aquatic weeds. Where would "agent orange" come from, that is an insane comment! I wonder if Homeland Security will investigate where the Agent Orange will originate?
>
I wonder if our distinguished representatives have noticed the low lake level? The lowest continuous level in 2 years which is an attempt to control the aquatic weeds.

State Representative Jeff McLaughlan (seated right), Chairman of Tennessee River Valley Caucus, Alabama House of Representatives: "201 counties in TVA area...challenge to TVA is to manage resource effectively...problem with the way they announced the plan, 3 day notice...can't allow TVA to run from problem, must address the problem of aquatic weed control." His other comments, "TVA rates are increasing...now is not the time to pull out from responsibility...can't afford to have anti-freeze, battery acid or Round-up placed in water to control aquatic weeds."

U.S. House of Representative (elect) Parker Griffith (center standing) comments: "Dismayed over the handling of our river resource...unacceptable behavior of a public servant {Tom Kilgore, TVA CEO]" Judy Miller, Director Marshall County Legislative Delegation (seated on right): "Shirking responsibility, not the first time...1997 the TVA cancelled its aquatic weed control program...we strongly protested their actions...we developed plan in 1998 which resulted in TVA reversing its policy. The current aquatic weed control policy has been in effect for the last decade. The TVA needs to live up to expectations." (TVA's current Aquatic Weed Control Policy link, 2001, is listed in part 1 of this series.)

Rick Roden, CEO Jackson County Chamber of Commerce (seated on left): "We were blind sided by this policy. Our job at the Chamber is to grow the economy. Tourism is big business, a lack of aquatic weed control has a negative effect on our fishery. Tourism has resulted in 5000 jobs for the Guntersville Lake area...$207 million in tourist revenue for Jackson and Marshall County's...can not afford to go backwards." Scottsboro Mayor Melton Potter (seated right): "2 choices, lay down or address issue..."

State Representative Butch Taylor (seated left): "TVA wants to give responsibility to State of Alabama..." Alabama Senator Hinton Mitchum (seated right): "Poorly handled approach to aquatic weed control...poor stewardship."

State Representative John Robinson (seated left): "I've heard agent orange will be used to combat problem..." State Senator Lowell Barron (seated right): "This meeting is about solutions to our aquatic weed control problem...we have been supportive of TVA's nuclear construction...we do not want to bash TVA Board, but we will if necessary. This has a negative effect on our fishery...the current proposal for Jackson County appears to only control 57acres...if we have to match funds we will." Senator Barron recommended a letter writing campaign to the TVA. A handout was passed out containing the TVA Board members and the TVA's address in Knoxville. TVA contact link: http://www.tva.gov/abouttva/contact.htm

>>

Senator Barron appointed a committee of representatives from Jackson and Marshall County to develop solutions and input to the TVA concerning the aquatic weed control problem.

Weed Control on Lake Guntersville, Solutions vs. Problem vs. Political Pressure (part 1)

Notice of Aquatic Weed Control posted at Goose Pond Colony.

Aquatic weeds offshore from the above notice at Goose Pond Colony. The aquatic weeds pictured are less than 50 ft. from the sign.

Clogged waterway northeast of County Park at Randall's Chapel. Weed Control vs. Wildlife habitat. Professional management must be undertaken concerning this problem to prevent destruction of our aquatic resources. Elected representative comments will be listed in separate article.

Press Conference panel seated left to right: Chamber of Commerce CEO Rick Roden, U.S. Congressman elect Parker Griffith, Scottsboro Mayor Melton Potter.

Press Conference Panel Members, seated left to right: Rep. Butch Taylor, Sen. Hinton Mitchum, County Commission Chairwoman Sadie Bias, Rep. John Robinson, Sen. Lowell Barron, Marshall County Legislative Delegation Director Judy Miller, Chamber of Commerce CEO Rick Roden.

>

This morning at the Scottsboro City Hall Council Chambers a press conference was held. Leading the conference and providing introductions was Senator Lowell Barron. Senator Barron stated, "this meeting is about solutions to the problem of weed control on Guntersville Lake."

>>

Attending the meeting were Senator Lowell Barron, Representative John Robinson, Representative Butch Taylor, Senator Hinton Mitchum, Representative Jeff McLaughlin, Congressman elect Parker Griffith, Jackson County Commission Chairperson Sadie Bias, Mayor Melton Potter, Ms. Judy Miller-Director Marshall County Legislative Office, Mr. Rick Roden-CEO Jackson County Chamber of Commerce. The council chamber was full, standing room only, many other political representatives were present from other areas around Lake Guntersville. Many citizens were present. Local TV media was present as well as most local and area printed media were present.

>>>

Articles on subject: http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/local.ssf?/base/news/1226052965276640.xml&coll=1

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2008/nov/10/tva-reduce-weed-control-guntersville-nickajack/?breakingnews

TVA policy on Aquatic Vegetation Control: http://www.tva.gov/rrsc/readingroom/aquaplantrec.htm It is interesting to note that the the TVA has not issued a press release over this issue, at least it is not posted on TVA's web site. Panel members comments concerning the TVA's lack of communication skills are correct. http://www.tva.gov/news/releases/index.htm (On a personal note: You would think a Pharmacist, Mr. Barron, and an Oncologist, Dr. Parker, would want to know the reason why the river is supporting this exotic weed growth, there is a reason. But reasoning seems to be lacking once the politician gains power. Ego, greed and a unquenchable thirst for more power seems to make reason take a seat on a fleshy posterior area of their body.)