LAKE OKEECHOBEE ---The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District will conduct treatments of floating aquatic plants (water hyacinth & water lettuce) in July and August. The Corps area of responsibility includes the south end of the lake from Pelican Bay to Uncle Joe’s Cut including Route 2 from Port Mayaca to Moore Haven and the rim canal from Moore Haven to Old Sportsman’s.  Treatment of vegetation will be conducted by a contractor. 

Starting July 19, USACE contractors will be treating invasive vegetation in lake from the Clewiston channel to Uncle Joes Cut including west wall and the rim canal to continue maintenance control efforts. This area has some of the worst infestation of hyacinth on the lake due to the inability to properly treat during snail kite nesting season. Now that nesting season has slowed, treatment in this area will remove invasive vegetation and allow for native vegetation to grow and produce a healthier habitat for wildlife, explained Jessica M. Fair, USACE biologist.

Herbicides to be used to conduct treatment of vegetation are Flumioxazin -ProcellaCOR, Diquat and 2,4-D.