Monday, October 28, 2024

Tony Williams Offers Unique Service To Area Homes

 LaBelle, Fl. -- Former LaBelle High graduate Tony L. Williams is offering a new unique service in Hendry, Glades, and Lee county for those who want their trash bins cleaned and sanitized.

Williams says, "We clean them, so you don't have to." In keeping with the "reduce, reuse, and recycle" philosophy he will come to your home or business the day after trash collection and clean up and sanitize those trash and garbage bins using water from tanks on his company's trailer.

For information call Tony, owner of Williams Trash Solutions LLC at 239 789-6102.

Lake Okeechobee Aquatic Plant Management Activities This Week

MOORE HAVEN, FL. -- The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is conducting aquatic plant management on Lake Okeechobee the week of Oct. 28.

Management areas include a 700-acre dense cattail marsh in southern Moore Haven marsh south of Cochran’s Pass, at the western end of the lake; and 315 acres of phragmites (an invasive plant also called “common reed”) on Kings Bar, in the northern part of the lake. A total of 1,015 acres of aquatic plants will be managed. Due to the large scale of the project, management will be conducted using helicopters.

Lake Okeechobee provides high-quality foraging and nesting habitat for the endangered Everglade snail kite, wading birds, waterfowl and other marsh species. In addition to improving habitat for fish and wildlife by reducing dense monocultures of nuisance vegetation and allowing other native species to grow, this project will also increase lake access for anglers and hunters.

Cattail will be managed with a selective herbicide (imazamox) that does not negatively affect beneficial native species, such as sawgrass, bulrush, spatterdock, spikerush, duck-potato, willow, Kissimmee grass and maidencane. The management should allow these native plants to expand and quickly colonize the areas. Phragmites will be managed with a non-selective herbicide (imazapyr) but, because the area is entirely phragmites, this management will not affect other species.

Imazamox and imazapyr are approved for use in water bodies by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. There are no restrictions related to fishing, swimming or drinking in affected areas of the lake.

The management areas proposed by the FWC have been vetted through and approved by the Lake Okeechobee Aquatic Plant Management Interagency Task Force (an advisory group of state and federal agencies with public input on aquatic plant management conducted by the FWC, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Water Management District on Lake Okeechobee).

Approximately 2-6 months after the herbicide application, the areas will be managed with prescribed fire. Prescribed fire will quickly open up these areas for wildlife to use as well as consume the dead organic material so it does not decay on the lakebed. Prescribed fire following herbicide extends the efficacy of the herbicide management and reduces the amount of herbicide needed over time.

Habitat enhancement using multiple selective management techniques, such as herbicides and prescribed burning, coupled with occasional drying events during low water periods, is part of an integrated management approach used by the FWC on many lakes and wetlands throughout Florida.

For general waterbody information, fishing forecasts, virtual tours, plant control operation schedules and annual workplans, boat ramp information, and more, visit the “What’s Happening on My Lake” website at MyFWC.com/Lake.

Management areas will be posted at boat ramps and FWC staff will be present to ensure all agency protocols are being followed. For stakeholder questions about this project, contact FWC biologist Alyssa Jordan at 863-697-2181.

Friday, October 25, 2024

Farm Help From USDA

USDA Disaster Assistance Available for Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton Recovery

USDA is working diligently to implement program flexibilities and waivers for producers impacted by recent hurricanes to help streamline your recovery process. Periodically check the Hurricane webpage on farmers.gov for updates and resources as we are regularly reviewing our disaster assistance programs.

Some of our current resources include:Overview of USDA Program Flexibilities for Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton Recovery
2024 Hurricanes – Frequently Asked QuestionsFact Sheet: Emergency Assistance for Hurricane, Flooding and Related Natural Disaster Events
Hurricane webpage with more information for hurricane-impacted producers.
Disaster Assistance at a Glance Brochure with an overview of all disaster assistance programs.
Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool to help with available disaster assistance.
Farm Loan Assistance Tool to help determine program or loan options.
FarmRaise educational hub to help with program decisions.

Thursday, October 24, 2024

How The Florida Handles Abandoned And Derelict Boats

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has deployed 17 additional officers and three derelict vessel specialists to southwest Florida to locate, identify and investigate vessels rendered derelict due to the storms.

The public can report vessels displaced on state waters by Hurricane Helene or Hurricane Milton by calling 888‐404‐3922. Be prepared to provide the registration number, vessel location and description.

Vessel owners are encouraged to hire a salvage company to recover their vessel to provide the safest method possible for the vessel and the environment. Removing displaced vessels can hasten the recovery and overall resilience of native marine plants and animals. To report a lost or sunken vessel, vessel owners can call the FWC Boating and Waterways Section at 850‐488‐5600. Operators will be available to help Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

There could be instances in which vessel owners might be unable to facilitate the salvage of their boat. Owners of displaced vessels who lack the resources to have their boat repaired, or if their vessel is determined to be beyond repair, may release ownership of their vessel through a waiver provided by the FWC. The waiver process can be initiated by contacting the FWC Boating and Waterways Section at 850-488-5600 and requesting to turn over a vessel rendered derelict by a hurricane. An FWC representative will help with the waiver process and facilitate the potential turnover.

Owners of vessels that have become derelict have 45 days to either remove their vessel from the waters of the state or bring it into a non-derelict condition. The removal of these vessels is a priority at FWC. Boat owners need to know they have options regarding their vessel’s future. The first step in understanding those options is calling the FWC Boating and Waterways Section at 850-488-5600.

If the public has questions or needs resource materials regarding waterway debris that is not a vessel, please call the Florida Debris Hotline at 850-366-6007. Property owners should report vessels on land to their local sheriff’s office.

Anyone witnessing an oil spill, chemical release, fuel or hazardous material spill in Florida waters should call the State Watch Office at 800-342-3557

Wednesday, October 23, 2024

Area Farmer's Markets Accepting SNAP

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Oct. 23, 2024) – In a significant milestone for food accessibility and public health, the Southwest Florida Food Policy Council, part of the Health and Wellness Coalition, announces the expansion of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to four of Shop Local Production’s farmers’ markets in Fort Myers, Cape Coral and Naples.

Shop Local Productions has undergone the necessary steps to enable SNAP benefits to be accepted at their farmers’ markets, paving the way for a broader system-level change in the community.

“We are excited to support partners coming together, not only to expand access to nutritious, locally sourced food, but also to educate residents about food policy and the importance of accessibility,” said Linda Miller, owner Shop Local Productions.

This initiative represents a critical step in the council and coalition’s long-term commitment to improving access to nutritious, locally sourced food for all residents.

Starting October 2024, the Surfside Farmers Market, located at 2354 Surfside Blvd. in Cape Coral will begin accepting SNAP benefits.

In November 2024, additional markets will join the effort including: Santini Market located at 7205 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach; South Collier Market at FSW located at 7505 Grand Lely Drive., Naples; and St. John Farmer’s Market located at 500 Park Shore Drive., Naples.

For more information about Shop Local Production’s farmers market locations, operating days and how to use SNAP benefits at these markets, visit: www.41markets.com