*** call to action alert***

[Strick9]

Email address : invasiveweeds@dnr.sc.gov

Subject : I oppose the 2021 Aquatic Plant Management Plan Draft

CWS requests that all members TAKE THE FEW SECONDS REQUIRED TO SEND JUST ONE EMAIL expressing your opposition to the Aquatic Plant Management council's draft plan to continue stocking and introducing more grass carp to lake systems throughout our state. Stockings have proven to be beyond prescribed numbers in aquatic solutions by experts in this field. The results of these continued stockings are barren lakes devoid of any aquatic vegetation which represent the basic beginning elements of the food chain in an aquatic system. Wildlife species such as Great Blue Herons, Snowy Egrets, Osprey, waterfowl of all types , Bald Eagles and even Swallows benefit from aquatic vegetation. Of course our recreational fisheries are dependent upon such vegetation as well.

Further, the economies and cultures driven by waterfowl hunting, fishing and even bird watching, that help boost and sustain rural community economics, are further decimated by such stockings.

Below is a copy of my email for reference. I approve the use of this email for anyone that wishes to use, change it up to make it your own:

I do hereby formally oppose the proposals to continue stocking hybrid grass carp into the Santee Cooper lake systems and others at the rates presented and the further introduction of carp into the lake systems throughout our state of South Carolina.

At present, the effects of the carp stocking numbers have greatly altered the lakes as a whole habitat biome. Many species of fish and avian life that would normally thrive in such aquatic environments are neglected by such a plan.

The importance of a balanced wildlife ecosystem ranging from invertebrates to vertebrates is greatly ignored, to detriment, when there are actions in play designed to eradicate even the native submerged aquatic vegetation. These native aquatic plant species, and yes, even some beneficial invasive species are the very building blocks of a healthy and functioning aquatic ecosystem.

As noted, these overly aggressive stocking actions not only cause detriment to many species of wildlife but also negatively effect the rural economies that center around hunting and fishing and other outdoor activities.

In a time of concern over water quality and South Carolina's ever decreasing wildlife habitat it's well past time that the APMC recognize these detrimental actions towards wildlife and water quality. Further, to continually ignore the amount of taxpaying citizens that have opposed such actions, both past and present, speaks negatively as an affront to the majority of recreational users and our hunting and fishing cultures.