A.10. SUMMARY OF AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT IN FLORIDA 
A.10.1. AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT PLAN 
Florida published its Statewide Invasive Species Strategic Plan for Florida in 2003. 
A.10.2. AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES 
• Aquatic Plant Management Program, Florida Department of Environmental 
Protection (FDEP), Bureau of Invasive Plant Management. The program designs, 
funds, coordinates, and contracts invasive non-native aquatic plant control efforts in 
Florida's 1.25 million acres of public waters. 
• Annual survey for new infestations, FDEP. Each year, 16 field biologists, each 
responsible for a particular region, conduct inventories in all 460 public water bodies 
(containing most of the state’s surface water). 
• Hydrilla maintenance control, FDEP. 
• Plant management services, FDEP. Regional biologists are available to provide plant 
management services, such as consultation and guidance, to private and public 
landowners or managers. 
• Aquatic invasive species (AIS) control, South Florida Water Management District. 
This Approach to control includes weekly treatment schedules and water use restrictions 
for aquatic herbicides. 
• Maintenance, Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD). Aquatic 
plants including invasive species are controlled to maintain the flow capacity of flood 
control systems. 
• Surface Water Improvement Program, SWFWMD. This restoration project is 
primarily geared towards preserving or restoring habitat and water quality. As part of 
restoring the natural hydrology of certain wetlands, the district plants a number of upland 
and aquatic native plants and also manages invasive plants in estuarine areas and lakes. 
• Mitigation Program, Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and 
SWFWMD. FDOT funds a wetland mitigation program to compensate for road 
construction damage. The program involves preservation and restoration of native 
habitats, including invasive plant management and replanting of native vegetation. 
• Aquatic Plant Control (APC) Program, U.S. Army Corps, Jacksonville District. 
This is a cost-share program with the state for control efforts in public water bodies. 
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