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A base line map of the entire infestation was created in 2005 and will be used for monitor- ing and evaluation. The project was ex- panded in 2006 with the Chehalis Tribe add- ing a removal project to the efforts of 2005. Project Cooperators The Chehalis River Brazilian Elodea Removal Project A boat full of Elodea -2005. Chehalis Tribe removing Elodea. Water being separated from Elodea. David Heimer Washington Department of Fish and Wild- life, Noxious Weed Coordinator Phone: [PHONE REDACTED] Rick Johnson Thurston County Noxious Weed Control Coordinator Phone: [PHONE REDACTED] Wendy Brown Washington State Department of Natural Resources Aquatics Division, Invasive Species Phone: [PHONE REDACTED] Mark White Natural Resources Program Manager The Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Phone: [PHONE REDACTED] Kathy Hamel Washington State Department of Ecology Aquatic Weeds Program Phone: [PHONE REDACTED] Brian Peck United States Fish and Wildlife Service Chehalis Fisheries Restoration Program Phone: [PHONE REDACTED] Elodea removed from the river ---PAGE BREAK--- Brazilian Elodea (Egeria densa) is a non-native submersed freshwater aquatic plant. It is found in both still and flowing wa- ters, in lakes, ponds, pools, ditches and streams. Brazilian Elodea creates beds of floating vegetation that restricts water movement. This plant displaces native sub- mersed plants, such as native elo- dea, pondweeds, and coontail. Brazilian Elodea is native to South America. It has been a popular aquar- ium plant, the sale of this plant in Washington State is prohibited. It was found in 1998 in the Chehalis River while surveying for purple loose- strife and parrotfeather. It is the only infested site in Thurston County. It was most likely introduced into the river by someone dumping the contents of their home aquarium into Plummer Lake, in Centralia. The plant has spread 15 river miles from the point of introduction. The Chehalis River Brazil- ian Elodea Removal Project In Thurston County, the Noxious Weed Control program began removing indi- vidual plants as early as 1999. Hand removal continued to 2003 when the infestations became so large that indi- vidual hand removal was no longer practical. Funding was provided by D.N.R. . What is Brazilian Elodea? The Elodea Removal project began with a pilot project funded by D.N.R. in 2004. The project was expanded in 2005 with funding from U.S Fish and Wildlife. In 2006 the Chehalis Tribe joined the project by contribut- ing to the removal in Thurston County, and performing removal of elodea in the Chehalis River near Centralia. Washington State Department of Natural Resources continues to con- tribute, as well as Thurston County. The goal of this project is to remove as much Brazilian elodea from the Chehalis River as possible, which will prevent new infestations. Removal will increase water movement result- ing in higher dissolved oxygen and lower water temperatures. Removal will also decrease sediment retention. The method of removal includes diver suction dredging to remove the entire plant and root structure. The plants are then transported away from the river and disposed of in an approved upland location. Where did it come from? 0 20000 40000 60000 80000 lbs of Brazilian elodea removed 2004 2005 2006