Lake County Municipal Code Ch. 26A Non-Native Invasive Aquatic Plants

The purpose of this chapter is to protect the aquatic resources of Lake County from the introduction of non-native, invasive aquatic plants by prohibiting the possession, sale, propagation or release of specific species and declaring such plants as nuisances. As such, these non-native, invasive aquatic plants are considered noxious weeds, as referenced in Government Code Section 25824.

(Ord. No. 2774, § 1, 6-6-2006)

The Board of Supervisors finds that non-native, invasive aquatic plant species spread rapidly and eliminate the native flora and fauna biodiversity otherwise found in the lakes and streams of Lake County, most notably, Clear Lake, with detrimental effects. Further, the Board of Supervisors declares that the most effective way to protect these aquatic areas from non-native, invasive plant species is to prevent the introduction of these plants and also declares that such invasive plant species are public nuisances.

(Ord. No. 2774, § 1, 6-6-2006)

(a) Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata);

(b) Spatter Dock or Yellow Pondlily (Nuphar polysepala);

(c) Water Hyicanth (Eichornia crassipes);

(d) Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria);

(e) Giant Salvinia (Salvinia molesta);

(f) Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum);

(g) South American Spongeplant/Frogbit (Limnobium laevigatum);

(h) Parrotfeather (Myriophyllum aquaticum);

(i) Brazilian waterweed (Egeria densa).

The plant species set forth in Section 26A-3.15 and any parts of those plants capable of propagation, shall be considered the non-native, invasive aquatic plants covered by the restrictions of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 2774, § 1, 6-6-2006)