20 Feb 2013

Corps and partners release Asian carp environmental DNA study findings

Federal agencies released an interim report for the Asian Carp Environmental DNA Calibration Study (ECALS), which is a three-year study funded through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, as scoped by the Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee (ACRCC) Asian Carp Control Strategy Framework.The purpose of ECALS is to improve the understanding and interpretation of Asian carp environmental DNA results, so we can refine and make this relatively young monitoring tool the most effective to detect live Asian carp presence.

12 Feb 2013

Burmese pythons threaten native species and restoration efforts

A hunt for Burmese pythons in south Florida is not a hoax; this non-native invasive species is threatening Everglades ecosystem restoration efforts and native wildlife. The one-month ‘Python Challenge’ organized by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission allows anyone older than 18 to hunt the snakes on state land. Burmese pythons are exceptionally difficult to locate, due to their camouflaging capabilities. The ISM branch has initiated efforts to detect the pythons by using dogs and thermal energy remote sensing by an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).

9 Jan 2013

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reopen boat ramp at Lake O’ the Pines

FORT WORTH, Texas – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in coordination with the Northeast Texas

8 Jan 2013

Invasive Species biologists combat explosion of aquatic plant growth

The year 2012 brought many challenges for the Invasive Species Management (ISM) Branch to tackle. Multiple factors led to the highest levels of water hyacinth on Lake Okeechobee since 1986. Water hyacinth invades lakes, ponds, rivers, marshes and other types of wetland habitats. According to the Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System website, water hyacinth can reproduce and quickly form dense floating mats of vegetation, sometimes doubling in size over a two week period. These dense mats reduce light and deplete oxygen levels for submerged plants and aquatic invertebrates.

27 Nov 2012

The U.S Army Corps of Engineers is accepting comments for Wisconsin Aquatic Nuisance Species Pathway Reports, released today

Eight draft Aquatic Pathway Assessment Reports for Wisconsin released today, as part of the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Interbasin Study. The reports, which were developed in coordination with federal, state and local partners, show that Portage Upstream (Columbia County), Portage and Canal Downstream (Columbia County), Rosendale-Brandon (Fond du Lac County) and Brule Headwaters (Douglas County) have a medium probability for the potential transfer of viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSv) from the Great Lakes Basin into the Mississippi River Basin.

24 Oct 2012

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers battle Giant Salvinia discovered at Lake O’ the Pines

FORT WORTH, Texas – Texas Parks and Wildlife Division officials discovered giant salvinia at the

29 Aug 2012

Army Corps of Engineers at Lewisville Lake announce zebra mussel and water safety concerns

FORT WORTH, Texas - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Lewisville Lake are prepared for a fun filled

28 Aug 2012

Boaters can save their favorite waters – and their boats!

Central California boaters and fisherman are being asked to take quick action to save their favorite lakes and rivers from a Western-moving invasion of smelly, damaging, sharp-shelled pests – Zebra and Quagga mussels.

10 Aug 2012

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Grapevine Lake announce temporary boat ramp closures

FORT WORTH, Texas- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Grapevine Lake announce temporary closure of boat

1 Jul 2012

Tiny Beetle Being Used to Control Pesky Plant

On May 30, employees from the District’s environmental section participated in the Tamarisk Leaf Beetle Monitoring Workshop at a field training location in Bernalillo, N.M. The hands-on workshop, attended by approximately 30 people from the Corps and other governmental and state agencies, was conducted by the Tamarisk Coali-tion, a non-profit alliance out of Colorado whose mission is to restore riparian lands.