ARUNDO DONAX HILL COUNTRY: Plans to knock back an invasive grass that's taken root in the Hill Country... ahead on Passport to Texas. This is Passport to Texas Arundo donax-known simply as Arundo or as giant reed or Carrizo cane-may not be public enemy number one, but this non-native grass covers an estimated half million acres in Texas, and is a huge problem for our Hill Country streams. 05-This is an invasive plant-especially when it gets into areas along rivers and creeks. Monica McGarrity studies aquatic invasive species for Texas Parks and Wildlife, and says thanks to recent increased legislative funding, the agency can expand management efforts of Arundo to the Hill Country at no cost to landowners. 20- One of the reasons why we're focusing on the hill country is because these are some of the headwaters areas, they're really important, for some of our native fishes that are imperiled; including our state fish-the Guadalupe bass. And when it gets into these narrow streams and creeks and headwaters, it can just have some devastating impacts. Such as bank failure, decreased water quality, and habitat degradation. McGarrity says the plan includes using EPA approved herbicides and revegetating banks with native species, either naturally or by planting 19- This project seeks to manage the arundo to minimize impacts on these imperiled fishes, and improve habitat quality and diversity and support these conservation initiatives. If you own land along the headwaters of the Blanco, Pedernales, or Nueces in the Hill Country, email healthycreeks@tpwd.texas.gov to learn more about participating in the Healthy Creeks Initiative. The Sport Fish Restoration program supports our series. For Texas Parks and Wildlife, I'm Cecilia Nasti. Total sound bite time: 0:44.0 Maximum Script time: 0:41.0 Suggested show time: 85.0 = 1:25 This could be misconstrued-it is not on our prohibited list at this time. This is important.. Planting may not occur in all areas-don't want to give that impression. This call to action would be much appreciated here.