Cattail Herbiciding to Begin Aug. 14

As part of the Long Lake Marsh Restoration grant, we are tentatively scheduled to begin herbiciding the cattails in Long Lake Marsh on Thursday, August 14, depending on the weather forecast. Please keep kids and dogs out of the area within a day or two after the herbiciding. The most critical time is within two hours of application.

Aquatic Weed Technology plans to post signage warning people to stay out after they spray. Phone calls will be made to neighbors in the area, and to parents of kids known to play there.

The Glyphosate spray that will be used is specially formatted for use in wetlands and, with the help of what is called a “surfactant” will adhere to the leaves of the cattails. It then is absorbed down to the root of the plant, which is where the cattail is storing a lot of energy this time of year. Because cattails spread mainly through roots, getting the plant dead at the root is very important.

John Olsen, who works for Aquatic Weed Technology and is an O.D. resident, is coordinating with Matt Vesh at Save the Dunes Conservation Fund to make sure more desirable plants, such as Button Bush, are not targeted. Fortunately, all of the birds have fledged this time of the year.

It can’t said that the substance is not harmful. Unfortunately, it is, but not as harmful as others, and for that reason we are using a certified applicator. Remember: our goal here is to increase biodiversity in the marsh. In the short run, we may have some impacts. In the long-run, though, the benefit will be a more biodiverse wetland, which will benefit all species. When creating this grant all of the control options were carefully researched. Everyone agrees that this is the only effective, and least expensive, option.

Please let Susan MiHalo, grant administrator, know if you have any questions or concerns.

This action is part of the restoration work being conducted on Long Lake Marsh in Ogden Dunes between 2008 and 2009 through a grant funded under the Coastal Zone Management Act by NOAA and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Lake Michigan Coastal Program. Project partners also include the Ogden Dunes Volunteer Fire Department, the Ogden Dunes Community Fund, the Save the Dunes Conservation Fund, and the Indiana American Water Company.