To combat aquatic plants, AGFC will provide anglers with a new boat-washing facility

Little Rock, Arkansas – According to a news release, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) has approved the second cleaning station it developed for use in south Arkansas.

The AGFC has a new initiative that is intended to help people who fish and use boats to navigate waters remove garbage and stop the spread of exotic aquatic plants.

Invasive aquatic plants frequently cling to boats and spread via boating, fishing, and other activities near bodies of water.

“Installing the self-service watercraft cleaning station at this access will allow anglers to help contain giant salvinia in the lake by providing free tools to remove water, weeds, and debris from their boats before leaving the access area,” Matt Horton, Aquatic Nuisance Species Program coordinator for the AGFC, said.

“A similar cleaning station installed by the AGFC at AGRED Park on Lake Erling has been used more than 300 times since it was installed just over a year ago. These cleaning stations have proven themselves effective tools in preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species in Arkansas as well as other states.”

The cleaning station comes with an assortment of tools which includes: An air blower, wet-dry vacuum, and hand tools to remove vegetation and water from boats and trailers, backed by a battery that relies on solar panels for power.