Dominion Energy has released its policy to manage hydrilla on its Waste Heat Treatment Facilty or Cooling Ponds at Lake Anna. It includes mechanisms and requirements for the removal of aquatic vegetation through biological and/or chemical control methods
“Dominion Energy’s mission is to serve our customers safely and reliably; strengthen our communities, minimize environmental impacts and live our values. In furtherance of our mission, this Aquatic Vegetation Management and Removal Policy is intended to maintain the recreational use and ecological health of the Lake Anna Reservoir and Waste Heat Treatment Facility (WHTF), providing a framework for the proper management of aquatic vegetation to help restore native aquatic grasses and limit the spread of invasive grasses such as Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata),” noted a spokesperson from Dominion Energy.
The plan also noted aquatic vegetation has numerous ecological benefits including but not limited to reducing algae blooms, stabilizing bottom sediment and shorelines, reducing erosion from wave energy, improving fish habitat, and filtering out excess nutrients and waste in the water.
Dominion Energy’s plan includes a Protocol for Hydrilla Management and Control that covers a number of aspects of the process including a scope of requests that notes requests shall be limited to hydrilla management in large areas where hydrilla growth affects multiple users and disrupts broader navigation. These requests exceed the scope of Individual Requests defined below.
Requests from homeowners/property owners on Lake Anna Reservoir (public) and WHTF (private) must be submitted to the Lake Anna Advisory Committee (LAAC) for review in accordance with the most recent LAAC Protocol for Hydrilla Management and Control (application form available on LAAC’s website) and submitted to either i. Lake Anna Reservoir: LAAC-HYDRILLA-RESERVOIR@GMAIL.COM, ii. WHTF: LAAC-HYDRILLA-WHTF@GMAIL.COM.
LAAC will evaluate the request to determine whether it is consistent with their protocol. LAAC will provide a recommendation to Dominion Energy. Dominion Energy will make the final decision regarding approval. Funding and implementation on the main lake (Lake Anna Reservoir) may be funding and coordinated through LAAC’s annual mitigation plan. Areas that do not meet priority thresholds may still be considered for approval if privately funded.
Dominion Energy is solely responsible for the management and funding of hydrilla control in the WHTF. Dominion Energy will coordinate with LAAC and DWR for implementation of approved management.
Regarding individual requests for aquatic vegetation removal, requests shall be limited to maintaining access to boat docks and the main water body from a landowner’s property. Approval may only allow up to a10’ cleared lane directly adjacent to docks.
Requests should be submitted via email to the Dominion Energy Lake Anna Reservoir Coordinator (napsreservoir@dominionenergy.com) at least 30 calendar days prior to the intended treatment date.
Emailed applications must include: i. A completed Treatment Application / Report Form, ii. Photographic documentation of impacted area; and iii. A clearly marked boundary of the proposed treatment area (e.g., satellite image with the treatment area visibly outlined and labeled).
Approvals are granted by Dominion Energy on a single, case-by-case basis and are not granted for recurring treatments. Funding and implementation of individual aquatic vegetation removal will be the responsibility of the Landowner.
Dominion Energy will only consider management of hydrilla via two methods: i. Stocking of triploid grass carp – triploid grass carp are a non-reproducing form of grass carp that are commonly used for long-term control of aquatic vegetation and, ii. using approved herbicide. Herbicide must be unexpired and approved by Dominion Energy, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS). It shall be applied by a licensed applicator and used in accordance with manufacturer recommendations.
For further assistance, consult the Dominion Energy Lake Anna Reservoir Coordinator at napsreservoir@dominionenergy.com.
