Aquatic weed control changes up for review at public meetings

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) invites interested persons to attend public meetings this month on proposals to change regulations regarding physical and mechanical methods of control for aquatic noxious weeds and other aquatic plants.

The proposals are changes to the state Hydraulics Code on removal of aquatic weeds, as directed by the 1995 Washington State Legislature. Excepted is control of spartina by any methods, and control of purple loosestrife using hand held or hand carried equipment. In addition, the proposals include the development of an informational pamphlet that also serves as a Hydraulic Permit Approval (HPA).

Copies of the proposals will be available and comments on them can be made at the scheduled public hearings listed below, or by writing WDFW's Legislative Office at 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091 (attention Evan Jacoby). Final regulations are scheduled to be adopted May 5.(No public testimony will be taken at the adoption meeting.)

All three of the following public hearings will start at 7 p.m.

• Olympia -- April 22 -- Natural Resources Building, Room 172, 1111 Washington Street

• Edmonds -- April 24 -- Edmonds Community College, Room 202-B, 20000 68th Avenue West

• Ephrata -- April 28 -- Grant County Public Utility District Auditorium, 312 West 3rd Avenue