Tex Guy

Hey Everyone,

The Aquatic Gardeners Association would like to wish everyone a Happy year.

We also would like to make you aware of some new developments concerning the State of Texas and the new proposed "White List" for aquatic plants. As many of you are aware, several months ago the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife had proposed moving from a list of restricted aquatic plants (Black List) to a list of aquatic plants that have been approved otherwise known as a "white list" of aquatic plants that will be allowed. All other plants outside of this list will be prohibited.

Below is a link I received from the folks at the International Water Lily Gardening Society. It contains information on the latest developments. The most important of which is a list of locations and times where the TPWD is soliciting input from the public regarding this new initiative.

The TPWD is set to vote on these new proposed regulations on January 27, 2011. If you live in Texas and would like to have input during these public hearings I strongly suggest you try to attend at least one of these scheduled events.

Exotic aquatic plant public meeting locations:

All meetings begin at 7 p.m.

*Katy - January 11, 2011 Bass Pro Shops, 5000 Katy Mills Circle
*Austin - January 13, 2011 TPWD Headquarters, Commission Hearing Room, 4200 Smith School Road
*San Antonio - January 18, 2011 Lions Field Adult Center, 2809 Broadway Street
*Fort Worth - January 19, 2011 Cabela’s, 12901 Cabela’s Drive


You can find information on the proposed initiave and the meetings here: <http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/newsmedia/releases/?req=20101229b>

There is also an on-line area where you can view the proposed "white list" and submit your comments here: <http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/newsmedia/releases/?req=20101229b>.

Let's all keep it growing in 2011!

Sincerely,

Larry Lampert
AGA Board President

Tex Guy

I think the DFWAPC needs to develop an official position on this and to present that formally to TPWD.

Michael

It is not easy to find the actual lists of approved, prohibited, and native (therefore automatically approved) aquatic plants. On my brief scan of the lists, the species prohibited that really jumped out are Cryptocoryne beckettii, C. wendtii, and Hydrocotyle leucocephala. Ouch!

While I am not an expert on aquatic plants, I do have a lot of familiarity with invasive exotic terrestrial plants. These are truly the bane of all my restoration projects! While none of us want to be told to destroy our favorite aquarium plants, in some cases these pose a real danger to native freshwater ecosystems. Let our replies be balanced.

BobAlston

Here is a good link to various proposed portions of the rules

Found the link:
http://info.sos.state.tx.us/pls/pub/regviewctx$.startup

Enter aquatic plants into the first search box.
Result will be a list of proposed rules, definitions, etc.

One new link - "weed risk assessment"
http://archive.tpwd.state.tx.us/hunt...ment_model.pdf

Interesting to note that in my read of the types of permits to be issued, I could not find one that would seem appropriate to me as a hobbyist.

Bob

Tex Guy

My personal biggest concern is the fact that it is a "white" list. This means that only plants included on the list are OK. All other plants are verboten.

Ricky Cain

Time for everyone to get their "stash" tank going.

Tex Gal

If you pay attention to the law it's even illegal to posses them. This isn't just about trading or selling them. Last time I went to the meeting there were only around 100 plants on it. That was not family or species but actual plants cultivars. That's not a lot of plants! So each Rotala would have to be listed separately. Just think of it! Makes me so mad. You can't even go naturally collecting as it's against the law already. If ever you care you need to be at this meeting. It's the parks and wildlife dept that proposed this to the legislature and they agreed The tdwp is power hungry Who's state is it anyway? No natural collecting and no foreign plants except their list. Maddening!!

fishyjoe24

GRR I got the pitch forks, and bleed the fiveth here me ROARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!. okay all joking a side...
what is wrong with the government? so if I understand this right it's Texas wild life and rescues putting this list together? aren't they the onces who kept on killing off there pond with invase plants and kept on asking what was going on?... what crypts are on the black list.. I have a strange feeling that there will no longer be low light tanks aloud in texas...

we would always give plants new names .....

time to make stash tanks in are closets and put blankets over them....

I will be going to the ft. worth meeting...

we as hobbiest. need to make a list of the bad (which won't be a bad list), and give tdwp there IQ numbers if you know what I mean....... I bet tdwp would think plastic plants are real.

Ekrindul

If you had to self-enforce these lists today, how much volume would you lose?

I'd estimate on my part about 50% in my 55g, about 75% in my 29g. Of course, I could just spend several thousand dollars for the permits.

Actually, Joey, low light tanks would be relatively unaffected. If you look at the list of approved plants, the typical stock for a low light tank is approved.

Basically, all hygrophila is out (Though I didn't see polysperma listed anywhere, not even on the already prohibited list). Most ludwigia and rotala is out. Any newly introduced species won't see the light of a flourescent lamp in the state of Texas for quite a long time, if ever.

At least we get to keep our Cladophora aegagropila. How generous.

Oh and Dracaena fragrans is approved! Does anyone have any Dracaena fragrans in their tank? I'd love to see pics! I say we all show up at the meeting with our Dracaena fragrans tanks.

Seriously, who put this list together?

BobAlston

More web site links

http://info.sos.state.tx.us/pls/pub/readtac$ext.ViewTAC?tac_view=5&ti=31&pt=2&ch=57&sc h=A&rl=Y


Existing regulations mention "aquaculture". The State of Texas definition: ""Aquaculture" or "fish farming" means the business
of producing and selling cultured species raised in private
facilities. "
More info than you would ever want to know:
http://law.onecle.com/texas/agriculture/chapter134.html


Under current Texas law, to be eligible for an exotic species permit, one must meet one of the following criteria:
"(a) To be considered for an exotic species permit, the applicant shall:

(1) meet one or more of the following criteria:

(A) possess a valid aquaculture license;

(B) possess a valid permit from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality authorizing operation of a wastewater treatment facility; (C) possess a department approved research proposal involving use of harmful or potentially harmful exotic fish, shellfish or aquatic plants;

(D) operate a public aquarium approved for display of harmful or potentially harmful exotic fish, shellfish or aquatic plants; or

(E) operate a facility approved by the department for the possession and propagation of harmful or potentially harmful exotic aquatic plants;

We don't seem to fit! Below is the source of the text above:
http://info.sos.state.tx.us/pls/pub/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tl oc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=31&pt=2&ch=57&rl=117

Bob