Control of Cattails and Phragmites on Long Lake Marsh moved forward several weeks ago with the application of an aquatic plant herbicide by Aquatic Weed Technologies and the Save the Dunes Conservation Fund. The herbicide adheres to the leaves and is absorbed into the roots of the plants, which is from where these kinds of plants grow and spread.
If left unchecked, the Cattails and Phragmites would turn the entire marsh into what is called a “monoculture,” where there is little biodiversity that is necessary to support a healthy ecosystem. A healthy, balanced ecosystem includes all plant and animal species, including frogs, fish and macroinvertebrates such as dragonfly larvae.
The next phase of the project will include the development and implementation of a planting plan for the banks and the area around the wetland that is currently grassy. Native Connections, a restoration and native seed company out of Three Rivers, MI, has been selected to develop and implement the planting plan.
The objective of the planting plan is to plant more than 100 native plants and shrubs, and more than 27 million native seeds. We will be seeking volunteers next spring to assist with that effort. The goal is to use the native plants to help filter stormwater as it runs off Diana Road and Diana Court, helping to reduce pollution in the marsh. This is called a "stormwater best management practice." Water quality tests were run several weeks ago to establish benchmarks for improvement.
The project is part of a $31,700 federal grant being implemented by the Town of Ogden Dunes. The project start date was August 28, 2007, and it is expected to be completed in 2009.
One-half of this project’s funding is from the Coastal Zone Management Act by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Lake Michigan Coastal Program ($15,700). The other ½ is being funded by the Ogden Dunes Community Fund ($3,500), the Indiana American Water Co. Environmental Grant Program ($6,699.11); and through “in-kind” match. In kind match will be mainly garnered through equipment value and time provided by the Ogden Dunes Volunteer Fire Department (ODVFD) during a prescribed burn. Volunteer time spent on the project also can be counted as match.
Project Partners include the ODVFD, the Save the Dunes Conservation Fund, the Ogden Dunes Community Fund and the Indiana American Water Co.
If left unchecked, the Cattails and Phragmites would turn the entire marsh into what is called a “monoculture,” where there is little biodiversity that is necessary to support a healthy ecosystem. A healthy, balanced ecosystem includes all plant and animal species, including frogs, fish and macroinvertebrates such as dragonfly larvae.
The next phase of the project will include the development and implementation of a planting plan for the banks and the area around the wetland that is currently grassy. Native Connections, a restoration and native seed company out of Three Rivers, MI, has been selected to develop and implement the planting plan.
The objective of the planting plan is to plant more than 100 native plants and shrubs, and more than 27 million native seeds. We will be seeking volunteers next spring to assist with that effort. The goal is to use the native plants to help filter stormwater as it runs off Diana Road and Diana Court, helping to reduce pollution in the marsh. This is called a "stormwater best management practice." Water quality tests were run several weeks ago to establish benchmarks for improvement.
The project is part of a $31,700 federal grant being implemented by the Town of Ogden Dunes. The project start date was August 28, 2007, and it is expected to be completed in 2009.
One-half of this project’s funding is from the Coastal Zone Management Act by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Lake Michigan Coastal Program ($15,700). The other ½ is being funded by the Ogden Dunes Community Fund ($3,500), the Indiana American Water Co. Environmental Grant Program ($6,699.11); and through “in-kind” match. In kind match will be mainly garnered through equipment value and time provided by the Ogden Dunes Volunteer Fire Department (ODVFD) during a prescribed burn. Volunteer time spent on the project also can be counted as match.
Project Partners include the ODVFD, the Save the Dunes Conservation Fund, the Ogden Dunes Community Fund and the Indiana American Water Co.
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