Farr Center Phragmites May 2009
INVASIVE SPECIES COMMITTE (ISC) REPORT
Onekama Township/ Portage Lake Watershed Committee
September 2nd, 2014
The ISC met on July 27th to discuss the results of the July 22 survey for ewm. We reviewed our options for the fall treatments of ewm and phragmites. There were 18.5 acres of new ewm found with the latest survey. We also found that 27 acres that aware treated in the area near Andy's point did not have the expected result from the July 29th treatment. These 27 acres will be retreated at no cost and the lake manager is working with the company to determine why this treatment was not as successful as expected. We expect that the EWM treatments this year will total 127 acres at a cost of 65,623 for the chemical treatment. The main areas of infestation are around the boat launch areas of the lake, camps and the marinas. The treatment map is attached. Chuck Reed has completed the ciBioBase survey of the entire lake and has downloaded all of his data.
We will be treating the phragmites in late September. The public hearing will be held September 11th at 7PM at the Farr Center for any lakefront owner to object to treatment. This is required by our phragmites ordinance. Wildlife and Wetlands will also treat any purple loosestrife and japanese knotweed along the shoreline. This is expected to cost our usual amount of $7,500 for this survey and treatment.
We are closely monitoring our cattails. We surveyed the lakeshore with Wildlife and Wetlands on August 21st. The survey showed that the beetles treatmentof purple loosestrife was not successful last year, and that we are beginning to see patches of reed canary grass. This can sometimes be confused with new growths of phragmites. She sent us options and costs for options with fall.. We are recommending that we do not treat any cattails this time. We have only a few of our native cattails left ( ) lots of narrow leaf non native invasives, and hybrid cattails have begun to expand. /We have had both the native and narrow leaf for some time, but are just recognizing the hybrid. These can be recognized by several charectoristics especcially by their height, darker green color and flower/seed head whick is longer and narrower than native cattails. Cattails are very beneficial to the lake and the environment so wehave decided not to treat any. See attached summary of cattails. The last 3 educational programs on Tuesdays with Water were well attended. The education committee of the watershed is working on follow up plans for all 6 of these sessions. WE do have power point presentations for some of the programs and we are considering options for follow up. Suggestions...... Dan Behring and Kathy Ervin did a great job on this project. Education is one of the main priorities of the watershed.
Stream monitoring for depth continues using the Crowd Hydrology method of gathering data. We need more community participation and will work with the school this fall to get student participation. The wetlands committee of the PLWF also continues to evaluate all options for protecting and preserving our wetland.
Mary Reed
Chair, Invasive Species Committee