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| Conservation
Issues |
Aquatic Vegetation Establishment Project UPDATE
[March 20, 2003] by Jim Matuga
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| Mike Knuckles, West Virginia DNR Wildlife Manager, utilizes the new
Honda four-wheeler and disc to plant millet on Stonewall Jackson Lake Wednesday, March 19, 2003. The four-wheeler
purchase was a joint project of the West Virginia BASS Federation, The West Virginia DNR and Columbia Gas Transmission. |
See related story:
http://www.wvbass.com/articles/2003/0303i.html
As has been recently reported, The WVBF and the WVDNR have partnered to establish aquatic vegetation in many West
Virginia Lakes. This week, approximately 15 acres has been seeded in three days on 2 lakes the third will begin
on Monday March 24, 2003 at Sutton Lake. The WVBF, WVDNR and Columbia Gas Transmission are panting spring wheat,
rye, millet and soon hybrid wild rice. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is paying for the rice, which is $400.00,
a hundred pound, at Stonewall and Sutton.
Working with WV DNR and the WV BASS Federation on the Reservoir Vegetation Enhancement Project is the activity
for 2003 that Columbia is involved in that will improve fisheries in West Virginia. The idea is to enhance the
fisheries by improving fish habitat by adding vegetation, and in return improving fishing for WV sportsmen. Over
2 ton of annual grasses will be planted by the WV DNR on mud flats during the winter draw down on several WV reservoirs,
(Sutton, Burnsville, Tygart, East Lynn, etc.) during the spring when the reservoirs are full this vegetation will
add nursery habitat for black bass fry and fingerlings (and other fish) and provide better fishing in general.
By planting annuals, we are assured no uncontrollable exotic plants will be introduced.
Columbia Gas Transmission builds and operates interstate natural gas pipelines, transporting natural gas from West
Virginia and other states to markets throughout the Eastern United States.
Rick Harris of NiSource, who works in the Environmental Health and Safety, Natural Resource Permitting Department,
initiated Columbia's involvement in this project.
Other Columbia contributions to WV fisheries include improving handicap access and improving boat launch areas
by adding gravel and stocking bluegill, trout, and catfish in numerous WV DNR operated ponds and lakes over the
past 5 years.
For more information contact:
WVBF Conservation Director
Jim Summers
RR 1 Box 205
Worthington, WV 26591
(304) 287-7700 (H)
condir@wvbass.com |
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