HB 338: Public Hearing, Tuesday

A public hearing for HB 338 is scheduled for Tuesday March 1st at 8am in E1.014 at the Agriculture & Livestock committee meeting at the Texas State Capitol.

House Bill 338 would require a public entity, other than the department (Agriculture), that produces a list of noxious or invasive terrestrial plant species growing in this state shall provide with the list a disclaimer that states:

“This plant list is only a recommendation and has no legal effect in the State of Texas. The Texas Department of Agriculture has sole authority to label terrestrial plants as noxious or invasive.”

New Biocontrol for Arundo donax Approved by USDA

The USDA has announced that a final environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact have been prepared relative to a proposed biological control program for Arundo donax (Giant Reed).

The proposed biological control agent, Arundo scale (Rhizaspidiotus donacis) is one of the most damaging insects to A. donax in its native range, and could prove to be an effective biocontrol. - Learn More

Sen. Hegar Drops Support for Invasive Aquatic White List

House Bill 3391 of the 81st Legislature, authored by Sen. Hegar in 2008, directed Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to establish a "white list" of non-native aquatic plants approved for sale or possession in Texas, a move by the State to curb the invasion of aquatic invasive species. All eyes were on Texas to see how it would play out.

In January, Sen. Hegar retracted his support for the “white-list” that TPWD was close to finishing, saying "With the list and rules now complete, it is clear that approval of this measure would severely impact our state's economy and the biofuel, nursery, and gardening industries across the state." – View Sen. Hegar’s Press Release

Free Invasive Plant Guides

The USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station (SRS) is distributing free copies of 2 recently released field guides.

“A Field Guide for the Identification of Invasive Plants in Southern Forests” is posted in PDF format on the SRS website and “A Management Guide for Invasive Plants in Southern Forests” is also posted as a PDF.

To request hardcopies of the guides send your name and complete mailing address, along with book title, author and publication number to: pubrequest@fs.fed.us.

New Homeowners Guide to Invasive Plants

The University of Georgia's Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health have created a handy "Homeowner’s Guide to Preventing the Introduction and Spread of Invasive Plants in Georgia". Although written for people in Georgia, many of the tips and techniques can be adapted to people living in Texas. - Download the free online copy

Call for Nominations

Southeast EPPC will present a career achievement award at their annual conference. The award goes to an individual with an outstanding record of service to invasive plant research, education, outreach or control in the southeastern United States. Jim Miller received the award last year.

Please e-mail nominations to cbargero@uga.edu by April 1 and include the name of the person you are nominating and a brief paragraph on why they should be chosen.