Santee Cooper Will Treat Invasive Plants
MONCKS CORNER, S.C. – Beginning Oct. 19, Santee Cooper plans to treat approximately 750 acres of mixed strands of the invasive aquatic plants giant salvinia, Cuban bulrush and water hyacinth. Teams will be applying treatment via helicopter in areas near Jacks Creek and Stumphole landings, as well as the Blowout area and the Bluff and Pine Island units of the Santee National Wildlife Refuge on Lake Marion. The treatment should be completed within a week.
The treatment application includes EPA-approved aquatic herbicides, which pose no water-use restrictions in the areas treated. The treatment will improve public access and help prevent further spread of giant salvinia to other areas of the lake system.
Giant salvinia, an invasive plant originating from Brazil, was found on the lake system in 2017 and has since rapidly spread from upper Lake Marion to other areas of both Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie.
Inquiries regarding the operation should be directed to Santee Cooper at aquaticplantcontrol@santeecooper.com. You can learn more about aquatic plant control at www.santeecooper.com/lakes.
For more than 90 years, Santee Cooper has been serving the people of South Carolina. The utility is South Carolina’s largest power provider and the ultimate source of electricity for 2 million people across the state. Through its affordable, reliable and environmentally responsible electricity and water services, and through innovative partnerships and initiatives that attract and retain industry and jobs, Santee Cooper helps power South Carolina. To learn more, visit www.santeecooper.com and follow #PoweringSC on social media.