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Stockton Hyacinth Drawing State's Attention Earlier This Year To Avoid Another Jam

STOCKTON (CBS13) — A recent storm may have pushed most of the invasive water hyacinth away from Stockton's waterways, but that may not be the case for long.

Officials say they have a plan to attack to plant that nearly put the economy of the Stockton waterfront underwater.

Sheriff's boats dock in the area, and can easily get through the hyacinth. But managing the plant is a top priority for the agency. The boat patrol had to escort ships through the plants.

"Sheriff Moore is concerned, as it does have an effect on commerce coming in and out of the Port of Stockton," said San Joaquin County Sheriff's Sgt. Carey Pehl.

Starting on Wednesday, the state will begin attacking the plants with an herbicide spray three weeks earlier than last year. The move comes earlier in response to last year's spread.

The state will eventually be spraying most of the Delta through June, but some areas are off limits because of the strong chemical used.

Vince Moreno at Riverpoint Marina says he hopes the early offensive works, because if the state can't kill the hyacinth, the hyacinth will kill the local economy.

"It kills boating. You can't get out, you can't go anywhere, you can't do business," he said.

The state says it will continue to spray different types of herbicide on the water hyacinth until November.

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