Work is gearing up for 2012 phragmites control
Contact(s): Heidi Springborn, phragmites shoreline control project coordinator; Desk: (920) 662-5447 Cell: (920) 362-1341; Trish Ossmann, public affairs manager (920) 662-5122
BROWN COUTY, Wis. – As summer starts to wind down, plans to spray the invasive phragmities plant gear up. The plant has taken over public lands and the backyards of more than 1,500 west Green Bay and Lake Michigan shoreline owners, often blocking their views and access to the water.
In 2011, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources received a grant of more than $805,000 from the Environmental Protection Agency Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to fight the plant. Phragmites chokes out native plants, making coastal shorelines and wetlands unfit for wildlife. Through use of a helicopter equipped with a boom sprayer, 3,000 acres of phragmites along Lake Michigan in Marinette, Oconto, Brown and Door counties were treated. Through ground application techniques, an additional 300 acres were treated in 2011.
The work continues in 2012 with treated areas being monitored for the success of last year’s herbicide application. On the ground follow up is needed to address areas the helicopter could not safely spray. Spot treatments will be done to ensure long-term success. First time spraying will also occur on newly-registered properties in parts of Door County which fall into the project boundaries.
There are several public meetings planned this month to lay out plans for herbicide application. They include:
Marinette County: August 8, 5:30 pm Little River County Club, N2235 Shore Drive, Marinette, WI
Brown County: August 15, 6:30 pm Suamico Village Hall, 2999 Lakeview Drive, Green Bay, WI
Door County: August 16, 6:00 pm Baileys Harbor Town Hall, 2392 County Rd F, Baileys Harbor, WI
Homeowners will receive a postcard with the public information meeting dates as well as other information prior to this year’s spraying. Treatments are anticipated to begin at the end of August and will continue through September and mid-October, if needed.