Title: Aquatic Plant Management

Summary: Directs FWCC, in partnership with Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences at University of Florida & Water School at Florida Gulf Coast University, to study nutrient removal technologies & mechanical aquatic plant management techniques within Lake Okeechobee watershed; directs UF/IFAS to submit report to FWCC; directs FWCC to submit report to Governor & Legislature.

Full Text:
WHEREAS, the health of the state's waterbodies i sintricately connected to the wellbeing of our state, its residents, wildlife, and economy, and WHEREAS, legacy nutrients derived from the treatment of invasive vegetation and unconsolidated biomass can contribute to degraded water quality, and WHEREAS, removing legacy nutrients by physically removing invasive plants and biomass will improve water quality and help combat algal blooms, and WHEREAS, innovative pilot projects involving extraction of WHEREAS, physically removing unwanted vegetation and the nutrients contained therein will improve the health and ecology of the state's wate rs, benefit anglers and other fishing enthusiasts, and encourage tourism, and WHEREAS, repurposing legacy nutrients trapped in our waterways will improve local economies by allowing for a new, natural, and local source of soil amendments or compost for agricultural purposes that will also give way to innovation and job creation in the state, NOW, THEREFORE, Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: Section 1. (1) The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, in partnership with th eInstitute of Food and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Florida and the Water School at Florida Gulf Coast University, shall study the strategic use of innovative biomass nutrient removal technologies and mechanical aquatic plant management tech niques where ecologically and technically feasible within the Lake Okeechobee watershed. (2) The institute shall submit to the commission a report documenting the results of the nutrient removal technologies and CS/CS/HB 2022 mechanical aquatic plant management techni ques through soil and water samples. (3) The commission shall submit to the Governor, President of the Senate, and Speaker of the House of Representatives by February 1, 2023, a report on the study of the strategic use of innovative biomass nutrient remo val technologies and mechanical aquatic plant management techniques, including recommendations for statutory changes. Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2022.