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DNR Bans Felt Soles In Maryland Waters
3/21/2011 | Posted by dcosden
Tags: Recreational, Regulations
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is banning felt soles in Maryland waters beginning March 22, 2011 to protect and preserve native wildlife and habitats.
“Felt is porous and can remain damp for weeks, keeping harmful microscopic organisms alive and making it virtually impossible to disinfect,” said Jonathan McKnight, head of DNR’s invasive species team. “After reviewing the science, and spending a year on outreach, public meetings and citizen response, we concluded that the only responsible action was to ban this material to halt the spread of harmful invasive organisms. The ‘do nothing’ response just would not cut it when the health and beauty of our rivers is at stake.”
The prime culprit in this call to action is didymo, an invasive alga known to anglers as rock snot, which thrives in cold flowing waters such as trout streams. Once didymo takes hold, it can bloom into infestations of enormous numbers resulting in a yellow-brown mass that may dominate sections of a river. Over time, dramatic changes in stream biology are probable, and the thick mats of algae make fishing virtually impossible.
New rubber soled materials offering excellent traction are readily available from various manufacturers at most outdoor retailers. DNR field biologists have had great success using the new rubber-soled boots.
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