Draft 2024 Aquatic Plant Management Plan available for public review until Feb. 27

January 25, 2024

The public is invited to review and provide comments on the Draft 2024 South Carolina Aquatic Plant Management Plan through the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR). Comments and suggestions should be submitted in writing or email and received by Tuesday, Feb. 27. No telephone comments will be considered.

The plan is available online at https://www.dnr.sc.gov/water/envaff/aquatic/plan.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 the 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 43 years of the program’s existence, more than 208,000 acres of invasive aquatic vegetation in public waters have been controlled to improve habitat, public access and use. Four waterbodies were added to this year's plan, as well as adjustments to a number of other waterbodies due to changes in the vegetation types and quantities in those systems.

All comments regarding the plan as drafted should be received in writing or via email 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.