Stockton Grapples With Options To Rid Delta Marina Of Water Hyacinth

State Senator Cathleen Galgiani spoke about the problems of the water hyacinth to a standing room only crowd in Stockton.

Others also talked about the spraying program and other preventive measures such as mechanical harvesting to control the invasive weed.

Delta Marina Harbor Master Bill Crocker says removing the hyacinth from his docks in Rio Vista has been a daily chore.

"It is costly, about $8,100 in man hours and equipment and fuel and all this other stuff."

Executive Director Bill Wells of the Delta Chamber and Visitors Bureau says marinas throughout the Delta have suffered.

"Kills all the life under it, kills the fish, it's a great breeding ground for mosquitoes, stops ships from coming up the river, so it's an absolute disaster."

Winter kills off most of the hyacinth but it reappears and spreads in the springtime.

State officials hope to get an early jump on the weed next year and keep its spread in check.