Sheldon Resevoir Collection

[Teeleton]

Re: Sheldon Resevoir Collection

This is all excellent information.  Is there some "accepted" method for disposing of tank clippings so that they don't escape into the wild?

[guppymax]

Re: Sheldon Resevoir Collection

Well the way I understand it with the noxious plants in the federal list it would work more like daisymac suggests AS LONG AS they are not also in the TPWD list. One of my plants, Limnophila sessiliflora is like this. It might be legal for me to keep it but it was probably illegal for me to bring it home so I have decided destroy it:

"Sec. 360.300  General prohibitions and restrictions on the movement of
         noxious weeds; permits.

   (a) No person may move a Federal noxious weed into or through the
United States, or interstate, unless:
   (1) He or she obtains a permit for such movement in accordance with
paragraphs (b) through (e) of this section; and
   (2) The movement is consistent with the specific conditions
contained in the permit.
   (b) The Deputy Administrator will issue a written permit for the
movement of a noxious weed into or through the United States, or
interstate, if application is made for such movement and if the Deputy
Administrator determines that such movement, under conditions specified
in the permit, would not involve a danger of dissemination of the
noxious weed in the United

[[Page 568]]

States, or interstate; otherwise such a permit will not be issued.
   (c) All such permits issued shall contain in written form in the
permit any conditions (other than those conditions specified in this
part) under which the permit is to be granted, e.g. conditions with
respect to shipment, storage, and destruction.
   (d) If the permit is denied, the applicant shall be furnished the
reasons therefor.
   (e) The Deputy Administrator may revoke any outstanding permit
issued under this section, and may deny future permit applications, if
the Deputy Administrator determines that the issuee has failed to comply
with any provision of the Act or this section, including conditions of
any permit issued. Upon request, any permit holder will be afforded an
opportunity for a hearing with respect to the merits or validity of any
such revocation involving his or her permit."

Thank you all!

max

[guppymax]

Re: Sheldon Resevoir Collection

I think to put them in a dry, sunny location in your yard away from lakes streams and water till they dry up would be acceptable.

max

[daisymac]

Re: Sheldon Resevoir Collection

Or you could cook them in the oven until they are dried to oblivion and then toss them out! Don't want one of thse renegade birds to pick them up and plant them! They do that at my house!

[guppymax]

Re: Sheldon Resevoir Collection

Not bringing it home at all would have been even better. To know the law and recognize these plants and animals would be a start. The next step would be to understand why these particular plants and animals. Finally we need to find away to undo what is done already. I think the HLA's guided tour at the Sheldon Lake Environmental learning Center February 24th is an opportunity to learn more.

max

[Teeleton]

Re: Sheldon Resevoir Collection

Not bringing it home at all would have been even better.

max

I was just curious about the inevitable trimming that goes with general planted tank maintenence.  Even though I don't necessarily have anything in my tank that is listed as noxious or invasive, I do have several fast growing plants that I could easily see being considered invasive in some ecosystems.  As someone relatively new to planted tanks, I might as well get started right and do my best to keep my aquarium inhabitants contained.

Teeleton

[Mzungu]

Re: Sheldon Resevoir Collection

For disposal, whatever you do just make sure it won't readily get into a water source (i.e. flushing down the toilet, throwing it out the car window, etc.) I'm sure that with every method of disposal there is a chance of the clippings to eventually reach a body of water, but...I just do all I can to try to prevent that.  :)

[Tsigoloeg]

Re: Sheldon Resevoir Collection

There are some very good pictures of the plants on this page:

http://aquaplant.tamu.edu/index.htm

It also includes native plants as well.

Under parrot feather you will read that they say it is prohibited/illegal to posses in Texas, but it doesn't show up on the list above. I reported my sighting to the link listed on the web page, here is the reply I received:

Thank you for the information.  Although parrotfeather is technically an introduced exotic we have seldom found it to be problematic in Texas.  It has become very widespread throughout the state and is becoming more common every year.  If possible, a photo and a location would be appreciated.  We appreciate your concern for our natural resources.

Sincerely,
Howard Elder
Aquatic Habitat Biologist
Texas Parks and Wildlife

[Tiapan]

Re: Sheldon Resevoir Collection

the problem is really too big to solve. there is almost no way to stop different plants and animals reaching new shores. for if they can survive that technically darwinian pricipals are taking place (didnt say i was happy with it) but look at the other speicies invading florida, they have wild populations of caimans, burmese pythons, green iguanas. here we have quaker parakeets (kinda like a conure) living free down in kema and in town. might as well plant some coconut tree and pineapple plants so we can truly enjoy the tropic life

[Tiapan]

Re: Sheldon Resevoir Collection

and i know they were introduced by humans but so were horses here and cattle and dogs so what are we to do.

[guppymax]

Re: Sheldon Resevoir Collection

Good, better, our best, worse or nothing at all are some of our choices as individuals. Tiapan wrote:"but something about controling a little world and taking care of it. it just makes me feel good."

max

[daisymac]

Re: Sheldon Resevoir Collection

There was an article last Sat. in the Chronicle titled "Don't grow these plants" under the Lazy Gardener. The first on the list was the Chinese Tallow Tree, which is often confused with a Chinaberry Tree. Well, I have one smack dab in the middle of my back yard. So Am I supposed to cut it down? There are a lot of critters that love that tree, and it provides a lot of shade.

Another on the list, that really surprised me, is Elephant ears! It said that they have "escaped our yards and naturalized along the banks of bayous, lakes and streams, particularly Armand Bayou and Lake Houston." And yet they sell them at garden centers!

Lisa Gonzales, a research scientist at the Houston Advanced Research Center is looking for volunteers to help document invasive plants in our area. Her number is 281-364-6044 or www.harc.edu. Sounds like a good woman to contact.

[Tsigoloeg]

Re: Sheldon Resevoir Collection

Another on the list, that really surprised me, is Elephant ears!

Holy samoles, that really surprises me, too! I moved down here from Ohio in August, brought with me my 3 elephant ear bulbs and promptly stuck them in the ground around my house. I love these plants, it's hard to imagine that they are invasive.

I think there's a difference between plants (or animals) becoming naturalized in an area vs being actually invasive. Think of the difference b/w for instance, Hydrilla or eurasian milfoil and curly leaf pondweed. Or Kudzu and chinese palm. If it spreads and takes over an entire ecosystem, displacing everything, then obviously that isn't good. But if it sort of works itself into a niche, incorporates itself into the ecology of the area, then that isn't bad. IMO.

[guppymax]

Re: Sheldon Resevoir Collection

After you do your research and if you all decide to get rid of the the tallow tree and replace it with something better, some Lazy Gardener is not going to do it for you. You and DH control your little world.

max

[sproett]

Re: Sheldon Resevoir Collection

What was the Lazy Gardener's reason for your type of tree being bad?  I assume it hasn't taken over your yard or you would have mentioned that. :)