Eelgrass harvesting coming to an end

News

Wednesday, 02 October 2024 10:48

Last week, members of TVA gave an eelgrass update from the Scottsboro City Park. Aquatic Plant Management program director Stephen Turner spoke regarding the harvesting of eelgrass. Turner explained that because of the time of year, eelgrass growth will subside until Spring, so harvesting will be halted from the end of October until Spring 2025.
Turner explained that this season over 100,000 cubic yards of eelgrass has been harvested from Lake Guntersville in both Marshall and Jackson Counties.
Turner was asked by a member of the media why TVA abandoned the shorelines in residential areas. Turner explained that TVA is not funded from tax dollars but by rate payer funds. TVA feels that the most equitable way to handle their funds is to maintain public use areas, not private use areas.
Turner is hopeful that we will continue to see a decline in eelgrass over time.