LDW&F to spray lilies

Water lilies in Bayou Teche will be sprayed with herbicide today, according to St. Mary Parish President David Hanagriff.
While many users of social media have laid blame on the parish, the jurisdiction over waterways such as Bayou Teche is with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and fisheries. “The parish is not responsible, it’s the state,” Hanagriff said. “They’ve been having cutbacks throughout all of Louisiana. All we can do is pressure the state to come out and spray.”
Hanagriff said heavy rains have made opening the west gate at the Calumet Cut an unlikely solution. “We’ve looked at options to open and close the gates, but water elevation is higher on the other side and has been for a long time. South winds have also made it difficult, so the lilies stay backed up this side of the (Willow Street) bridge.”
LDW&F contracts with a private company for spraying, and spraying has occurred twice this season. Officials with LDW&F made a site visit Tuesday, and plans are to spray today.
No parish has jurisdiction over its waterways, other than those the state doesn’t lay claim to.