MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

interested in serving on the NAPP Board or any of the committees, please send us an e-mail with some information about yourself. We will be having an election within the next month or two.

Certifi cation Testing

One last thing for manufacturers and contractors. The NAPP is interested in administrating any certifi cation programs of- fered by manufacturers. We began offering the Savio Certifi cation program several years ago when we were approached by Savio about administrating their program. We see this as a very worthwhile function for the NAPP and want to make sure all manufacturers know that we would like to do this for everyone. We expect to have similar certifi cation programs for Firestone and Little Giant, and Ecological Laboratories, Inc. up and running in the near future. If you are a manufacturer and have a certifi cation program that you would like administrated by the NAPP, please contact the NAPP offi ce for more information.

LEGISLATIVE ALERT

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has been directed by the Texas Legislature through House Bill 3391 to publish a list of exotic aquatic plants, in- cluding algae, (ie., all non native aquatic species), which are approved for importa- tion or possession in Texas without a per- mit. This will be the popularly referred to “White List” of approved plants. TPWD has been charged with completing (com- piling?) this list by December 31, 2010. They must also develop rules for proce- dures for adding exotic aquatic plants to the approved list in the future.

TPWD has already developed a draft list- ing of exotic aquatic plants under consid- eration for approval for sale in Texas. This list is far shorter than lists provided by the Florida Division of Aquaculture; Nelson Water Gardens and Nursery, Inc., on behalf of Texas Businesses; and The International Waterlily and Water Gardening Society (IWGS). There is a great deal of concern regarding how the Genus Nymphaea (Wa- terlilies), will be handled in the new legis- lation. This Genus is without a doubt the most economically important water gar- den plant, not just to growers, wholesalers, and retailers of aquatic plants, but to the whole industry. Homeowners want beau- tiful, blooming, hybrid waterlilies in their water gardens, and it is this desire to have these wonderful plants that result in liners, pumps, fi lters, lights, and other pond relat-

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ed sales. The current Texas draft list is ac- cessible at iwgs.org. Thanks to Kit Knotts of Water Gardeners International (WGI) for allowing us to forward to TPWD not only her extensive listing of known Nym- phaea species and cultivars but also of Ne- lumbo; TPWD is fully aware of how many waterlily and lotus varieties we want to keep in the trade. (Access these lists at Victoria-Adventure.org)

rolf@nelsonwatergardens.com for more information.

Rolf has invited Dr. Earl Chilton, Aquatic Habitat Enforcement Program Director for TPWD, to make a presentation at the IWGS Annual Symposium in San Angelo, TX September 16-19, 2010. Rolf has received confi rmation from Dr. Chilton that TWPD will be there to make a presentation. It is imperative that our industry “show up in

force” for this presentation--it is an oppor- tunity to show regulators the people this legislation will impact, and also to have a dialog with them. Remember, this type of legislation will affect you and your busi- ness in your state. If your state has not already started on this data, it will soon. The San Angelo event is centered around the most extensive display of Nymphaea varieties in North America, and perhaps the world. Close to 300 varieties will be on display, including most of the species material found worldwide. This is a great opportunity to make a critical impression on TPWD. Visit iwgs.org for more details, and plan to attend.

There is strength in numbers, as evidenced by the response to the EPA last year. IWGS has already forged relationships with National Association of Pond Profes- sionals (NAPP) and Pet Industry Joint Ad- visory Council (PIJAC) to have a unifi ed response. IWGS has been encouraged to lead this fi ght due to its plant based origins. Join IWGS to help us get our point across in developing these new regulations so we can continue to provide the enjoyment that a well planted water garden gives us. Visit iwgs.org and click on Membership on the Home Page and JOIN!

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