SUBCOMMITTEE ON FISHERIES, WILDLIFE, OCEANS AND INSULAR AFFAIRS
University Center Theater, Louisiana State University, Shreveport, Louisiana
Monday, June 27, 2011
10:00 a.m. Central Time

• Official hearing transcript
• Blog Post - Reps. Fleming and Gohmert Tour Giant Salvinia Infestation on Caddo Lake (6/29/2011)
• Press Release - Experts Agree: Comprehensive Control Plan is Needed for Management and Eradication of Giant Salvinia (6/27/2011)
• Committee Action - Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans, and Insular Affairs to hold Shreveport Field Hearing on Giant Salvinia (6/15/2011)

OVERSIGHT FIELD HEARING ON:

• "Giant Salvinia: How Do We Protect Our Ecosystems"

Watch the Archived Hearing Webcast:

OPENING STATEMENT:

The Honorable John Fleming
Chairman

WITNESSES AND TESTIMONY:

Panel I

The Honorable Robert Barham
Secretary
Louisiana Department of Wildlifeand Fisheries

Ross Melinchuk
Deputy Executive Director
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Dr. Michael Grodowitz
Biomanagement Team Leader
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Dr. Randy G. Westbrooks
Invasive Species Prevention Specialist
USGS National Wetlands Research Center

Panel II

Dr. Dearl Sanders
Resident Coordinator
Idlewild Research Station
Louisiana State University
(Truth in Testimony Form)

Michael Massimi
Invasive Species Coordinator
Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program
(Truth in Testimony Form)

Ken Ward
Project Manager
Department of Public Works
Caddo Parish

Richard Lowerre
President
Caddo Lake Institute
(Truth in Testimony Form)

Jeffrey Trandahl
Executive Director
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
(Truth in Testimony Form)

Dr. Damon E. Waitt, Ph.D.
Senior Director & Botanist
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
University of Texas at Austin
(Truth in Testimony Form)

BACKGROUND:

The hearing will examine the impacts of giant salvinia, an aquatic invasive plant from Brazil that has been declared one of the world’s worst weeds. The giant salvinia has been discovered in 12 states since 1995, including Louisiana and Texas. Infamous for its lack of natural predators, giant salvinia forms impregnable mats of vegetation in freshwater ponds and lakes, blocking out sunlight and killing everything below the water column. This weed can double in size from seven to ten days and has been placed on the Federal Noxious Weed List, essentially banning it in the United States.