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Weevil project fundraiser set for Saturday near Elm Grove

LSU AgCenter

A group concerned about the invasive aquatic weed choking Lake Bistineau in northwest Louisiana will hold a fundraiser Saturday. The area residents want to raise a cold-tolerant weevil that will feast on giant salvinia year-round.

Weldon Thomas is the founder of the Facebook group Lake Bistineau News, which boasts more than 3,200 members. He says Saturday’s fundraiser aims to raise $15,000 to establish a weevil growing operation on the lake. Thomas says the state continues to spray and lower the lake, but it just isn’t enough.

“They don’t have the money to research and develop a cold-tolerant weevil, which is what we’re trying to do,” Thomas said.

Pete Camp is behind the weevil project. He’s an at large member of the Lake Bistineau Task Force and has a home on the lake. He says proceeds from Saturday’s fundraiser will go toward the cost of hiring an entomologist to oversee the project and related equipment. He’s concerned that a decade of spraying and drawdowns are taking a toll on this natural resource. He thinks it’s time for more weevils.

“It’s a natural predator to giant salivina. We hope to eliminate a lot of the chemicals that are going into the lake because there’s been a lot put in there the last few years. There's more spraying on Bistineau than any other lake in the state,” Camp said.

Thomas was born and raised on Lake Bistineau. He can recall when it was a healthy lake. Now, he says, the drawdown takes away the natural beauty for residents and causes businesses to lose money.

“Right now, I’m looking out there and there’s nothing but green grass growing where there usually is water. When I bought my place I bought it for water. I didn’t buy it to look out there and see grass. I’ve got that in my yard,” Thomas said.

The meet and greet/fish fry fundraiser begins at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at Our Place Bar and Grill, 300 Cryers Camp Road, near Elm Grove. State Rep. Gene Reynolds will address the group at 3 p.m. There will be a live auction with lake related items at 4 p.m., and a plate lunch will be served.

Chuck Smith brings more than 30 years' broadcast and media experience to Red River Radio. He began his career as a radio news reporter and transitioned to television journalism and newsmagazine production. Chuck studied mass communications at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia and motion picture / television production at the University of California at Los Angeles. He has also taught writing for television at York Technical College in Rock Hill, South Carolina and video / film production at Centenary College of Louisiana, Shreveport.
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