NEWS RELEASE

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

August 14, 2000

CONTACT: Mike Cain (863) 648-3202

FISH HABITAT IMPROVEMENT BEGINS ON LAKE PARKER

In a major effort to improve bass and other sport fish habitat in Lakeland's largest lake, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) began a project last week to remove up to 40,000 cubic yards of muck along the eastern shore of Lake Parker. The $50,000 project should take between four to six weeks to complete depending on weather and other factors.

"Stabilized water levels and the high concentration of nutrients accelerate growth and decay of plant material to a point where mother nature can't keep up with the house cleaning. That's when we step in," said FWC fisheries biologist Mike Cain.

FWC studies show that much of the bottom of Lake Parker is covered by a layer of organic muck that makes spawning difficult for native sport fish. The muck on the lake bottom is actually decaying plant matter that can suffocate sport fish eggs and destroy spawning sites.

Cain indicated that money from the Aquatic Plant Management Trust Fund is being used to remove muck and revegetate up to12,000 feet of shoreline between the power plants along East Lake Parker Drive. Invasive and non-native plant species which dominate the eastern shoreline will be replaced by desirable native vegetation. The replanting effort will restore nursery areas for juvenile sport fish while improving habitat for many wildlife species.

Organic materials removed from the lake are being transported to an upland site at the Tenoroc Fish Management Area off East Lake Parker Drive. No road closures are planned for the project, although bulldozers, backhoes and dump trucks are working to remove invasive plants and organic sediment. The exact amount of organic material and associated costs of removing it will also factor into how much shoreline will be restored.

For more information on this or any other freshwater FWC program, visit the FWC's Web site at www.state.fl.us/fwc/fishing or call the Lakeland regional office during normal working hours at (863) 648-3203.