Aquatic Plant Management Plan available for public review until Feb. 15

January 13, 2023

The public is invited to review and provide comments on the Draft 2023 South Carolina Aquatic Plant Management Plan through the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR). Comments and suggestions should be submitted in writing or e-mail and received by Feb. 15. No telephone comments will be considered.

The plan is available online at https://www.dnr.sc.gov/water/envaff/aquatic/draftplan.html. The SCDNR, in conjunction with the S.C. Aquatic Plant Management Council, is responsible for the management of nuisance aquatic plants in the state's public waters. Each year SCDNR and the Council prepare an Aquatic Plant Management plan that identifies aquatic weed problem areas, prescribes management strategies and determines funding requirements. In the 42 years of the program’s existence, more than 207,000 acres of invasive aquatic vegetation in public waters have been controlled to improve habitat, public access and use. There were only minor changes in this year's plan.

All comments regarding the plan as drafted should be received in writing or via e-mail by the closing date to ensure that they are given proper consideration in the final plan. No telephone messages will be considered. Anyone interested in providing input should send comments to:

SCDNR, Attention: Julie Holling PO Box 167 Columbia, SC 29202 Or via e-mail to invasiveweeds@dnr.sc.gov

Comments regarding additional areas of problematic aquatic vegetation on the state's public lakes and waterways can also be sent using those addresses.