The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Buffalo District will host a public information meeting regarding the treatment of hydrilla present in Tonawanda Creek/Erie Canal, June 3, 2015 at 6:30p.m. at the North Tonawanda Public Library, 505 Meadow Dr, North Tonawanda, NY 14120.
The purpose of the meeting will be to describe what is hydrilla, present the results of last year’s treatment, provide a schedule, and identify treatment areas for the 2015 season.
“Hydrilla is a highly invasive aquatic plant species that was first introduced to the southern United States in the 1960s from Asia,” said Mike Greer, USACE project manager. “More recently there have been a noticeable number of infestations in the glacial lakes of the Northeast and Midwest. Hydrilla infestations have potential to cause significant ecological and economic losses.”
The USACE has been working with the New York State Canal Corporation, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Ecology and Environment, Inc., and others to address and manage the excessive growth of this invasive plant.
Any questions or further information about the treatment or the project can be obtained from Andrew Kornacki, USACE Buffalo District, (716) 879-4349, andrew.a.kornacki@usace.army.mil. To learn more about the project and hydrilla, please visit http://www.stophydrillawny.org. For more pictures, please visit http://bit.ly/V2Usql.
Release no. 15-011