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Congressman Tom Reed Monday announced a grant awarded to the Hydrilla Task Force to help in the group’s efforts to eradicate hydrilla from the Cayuga Inlet. Congressman Reed worked with the local Task Force to identify the grant opportunity and sent a letter of support on the Task Force’s behalf. The grant was awarded in the amount of $75,000.

“This grant is great news for the Tompkins County community as it continues its work to eliminate this threat to ecosystems, recreation, and the local economy as a whole,” Congressman Reed said. “We will continue to work with the Task Force to see that the area receives its fair share of resources to help combat the spread of hydrilla.”

James Balyszak, Hydrilla Program Manager added, “The progress made since the implementation of the Cayuga Inlet Hydrilla Eradication Project in 2011 has been exceptional. Eradication of this highly invasive aquatic plant is crucial to the overall health of Cayuga Lake and all NYS waters. Education and outreach to the community will be an important component of the overall project. With the support of Congressman Reed, as well as the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the Hydrilla Task Force of the Cayuga Lake Watershed looks to continue successful eradication efforts in Tompkins County moving forward. We greatly appreciate the support of all of our stakeholders.”

Earlier this year Congressman Reed met with the Hydrilla Task Force in Ithaca to learn more about education and eradication efforts in response to the highly invasive aquatic weed in the Cayuga Inlet. The Hydrilla Task Force, comprised of the Cornell Cooperative Extension, City of Ithaca, Tompkins County, the Finger Lakes-Lake Ontario Watershed Protection Alliance and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, received the grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

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