This can cause a rapid reduction in open water and hamper recreational sports such as swimming, boating and fishing. Excessive coverage also can clog water intakes for irrigation and electrical generation, while at the same time acting as natural breeding ground for mosquitoes and other vectors. Those aren't the plant's only bad traits. Giant salvinia is a hearty species capable of withstanding sub-freezing temperatures and it reproduces by vegetative fragmentation. These problems are compounded by the fact that it clings well to boat trailers, outboard motor props and truck tires, meaning it could easily be transported to and introduced to other East Texas impoundments.
Bottom line is giant salvinia is bad news.
Real bad news. It's so bad, in fact, that the Toledo Bend issue is more than likely to going to be declared a federal emergency. The state already has put together a Giant Salvinia Task Force made up of 35 scientists. The initial objectives of the task force are to get the plant under control on Toledo Bend and prevent it from spreading, with an ultimate goal of total eradication. Helton is chairman of the group and says it is going to be a very expensive war, the cost of which will be split between the federal government and the state of Texas.