TLAC gets go-ahead to treat weeds

Under Appalachian Power's new license, the Tri-County Lake Administrative Commission has been issued standing permits to treat aquatic vegetation, said Pam Dinkle, TLAC's lake management and project coordinator.

She said the permits are only good for the areas applied for, which have all been treated in the past for invasive or non-native weeds.

Dinkle said lake residents have been calling the weed hotline (719-WEED) to report hydrilla in their area. A pre-treatment survey was performed this week and treatment is planned for the week of Aug. 16.

In other TLAC news:

• TLAC received $25,000 from the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. The money was tagged for use in converting the lake's navigational aids to U.S. Coast Guard standards.

• Stan Smith, chairman of TLAC's Navigation Committee, said members of the Coast Guard recently visited the lake to check the navigational aids. Last year, TLAC sent the Coast Guard a detailed list of the lake's channel markers. Smith said the Coast Guard was verifying the information.

• VDGIF officials recently reviewed the no-wake markers on the lake, said Dinkle. Members of TLAC assisted by tracking down the responsible party for all 57 markers, said Dinkle.

• On Aug. 16, representatives of TLAC will attend the first meetings of the habitat management and aquatic vegetation technical review committees.