Taking it seriously. Planning is required before DEP permits are issued

State-issued permits for aquatic plant management may or may not be required, depending on a number of variables. When they are required, homeowners, private management companies and public agencies alike all must follow the plant management rules, and the first rule is that they all must contact the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Bureau of Invasive Plant Management (BIPM) before acting.

When plant management permits are required, DEP biologists want to know

that you have thought about the task at hand and that you have a plan;

that you know and can identify the plants you want to control;

that your efforts will not adversely affect non-target areas, plants and wildlife;

that you understand the plant management options available;

that the tools you propose to use, the machines, or herbicides, or biocontrols, are the best for the job;

that weather and other environmental conditions will be appropriate at job time;

etc.

Courageous landowners sometimes decide to take a pro-active role in the fight to control invasive plant populations on private waterways and attempt to take matters into their own hands. Although their motivations are commendable, correct plant management is a complex science. What's more, plant management activities in one "private" area may directly or indirectly affect nearby waters.

In addition, the aquatic vegetation targeted by the private landowner or his contract plant manager may not be "invasive non-native plants" at all, and may actually be native plants that play essential ecologic roles such as controlling erosion, helping maintain water quality, and providing habitats and nursery areas for fish and wildlife.

Therefore, it is essential that private landowners, as well as management companies and local and regional eco-agencies solicit the help of plant management experts and, where necessary, obtain the appropriate state permits prior to employing plant control methods.

In Florida, regional biologists associated with one of the eight DEP/BIPM field offices or the University of Florida extension agents are available to provide plant management services such as consultation and guidance, to private and public landowners and managers. These services are free of charge.

The DEP/BIPM biologists conduct a site inspection in order to assess the invasive plant population and make the most appropriate plant management recommendations. These experts also issue the proper permits when required that enable landowners to legally manage vegetation in and along their waterways.

In addition, Florida statutes (section 369.20, 369.25, 369.251) require permits for any activity that involves the control, removal, collection, sale, or possession of aquatic plants for business purposes. These permits are made available free of charge by the DEP Bureau of Invasive Plant Management Field Operations Section.

Under certain circumstances, exemptions from permitting apply (Chapters 62C-20, 62C-52). Plant management on certain water bodies does not require a state permit if:

The water body is owned by one person

The water body is not connected to another water body of special concern

The water body was artificially created and is used exclusively for agricultural purposes

The water body is associated with an electrical power plant and is not connected to or associated with water bodies designated as manatee aggregation sites

The water body is ten surface acres or less in size and is not associated with waters of special concern

Permits are also not required for waterside owners seeking to remove non-woody vegetation and shrub species from fresh water bodies by mechanical means along 50 feet or 50% of the shoreline (whichever is less) in order to allow open water access to a boat or for swimmers, according to Florida statute 369.20(8). This exemption applies where the water bodies are not classified as Florida DEP aquatic preserves or Florida DEP Outstanding Florida Waters.

However, for plant control that employs the use of herbicides, permits are required depending on the:

Type of water body

Ownership of the water body

Aquatic species in the water body

Proximity and hydrologic connection to other water bodies

Amount of herbicides to be used

Other variables

Most importantly, the services and expertise made available free of charge by BIPM plant management experts and University extension agents are invaluable assets for Florida residents, companies and agencies who want to manage invasive plants on their property.

Field Operations Activities for Fiscal Year 2004-2005:

• Permit Applications Received: 2,236
• Site Inspections Conducted: 3,271
• Final Agency Actions Taken on Permits: 2,205
• Active Permits: 7,202
• Violations Observed: 435
• Compliance/Enforcement Actions Taken: 306
• Permit Compliance Inspections Performed: 1,009
• Total Acres Surveyed: 4,258,424
• Hours Spent Coordinating & Monitoring Funded Plant Control Activities: 4,030
• Hours Spent Providing Extension/Education Services: 4,749