Good afternoon,

I understand there may be a recommendation presented at tonight's LGWCC meeting to request approval to introduce triploid (sterile) grass carp into Lake Gaston this year. The LGA would like to go on record as supporting this recommendation, irrespective of the number of carp per vegetated acre of noxious weeds. We support this recommendation as a complement to application of chemicals.

However, the LGA Board has had strong written and verbal input from its membership that the LGA should take a more aggressive approach in recommending a higher number of sterile carp per vegetated acres of noxious weeds than has been recommended by other organizations. The Lake Gaston Stakeholders Board (LGSB) has recommended up to 10 sterile carp per vegetated acres compared to the most recent recommendation from the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) of 7 carp per vegetated acre.

The LGA Plan (attached) recommends up to 15 sterile grass carp per vegetated acre with stocking being incremental and yearly for up to at least four years. This recommendation is the same number as already approved by N.C. Wildlife for Lake Norman and was recently supported by the Agricultural Extension Office of North Carolina.

I would hope for a few "brief" minutes at your meeting tonight to review our plan for those members/visitors not having a chance to review the plan, as it is "hot off the press" yesterday. Thank you for your consideration of this request.

Larry Jolly
LGA President