Pull It!

Your help is needed to control an alien plant that impacts native species and even future forest growth. Garlic Mustard, characterized by its garlicky smell, especially when crushed, aggressively monopolizes light, moisture, nutrients, soil and space, outcompeting native plants. In turn, wildlife species that depend on plants for their foliage, pollen, nectar, fruits, seeds and roots, are deprived of these essential food sources when garlic mustard replaces them.

A single plant can produce thousands of seeds, which scatter as much as several meters from the parent plant.

Making matters worse, Garlic Mustard also emits nasty chemicals that inhibit the growth of mycorrihizzal fungi, a symbiotic fungi that supports the growth of young saplings. In turn, this may impact the growth of our forests in the coming years.

As with many invasive species, control requires a long-term commitment. This is because the seeds can remain viable in the soil for five years or more, according to the Alien Plant Network.

If your yard is only lightly infested, hand removal may be your best option. You will need to carefully try to remove the entire root system because new plants can sprout from root segments. Grasp low and firmly on the plant, and tug gently until the entire plant pulls out. Heavier infestations can be controlled by careful applicatin of Round Up or similiar herbicides. If you wish to use a more earth-friendly solution, visit http://www.planetnatural.com/. Unfortunately, no biological controls are yet available.

Some people chose to throw these noxious weeds on the ground after they pull them. That will not help control the infestation! Pulled plants could be composted, if there are no flowerheads. Otherwise, they should be placed in a paper bag and burned.

Participate in "Earth Hour" March 29, 8:00 p.m.

Members of the ODEAB and residents of Ogden Dunes plan to participate in an "Earth Hour" event on March 29 at 8:00 p.m. -- and you can too!

At that magic time -- 8:00 p.m. local time -- millions of people around the world will turn off their lights to show how by working together we can
make a difference in the fight against climate change. Starting in Christchurch, New Zealand; Earth Hour will roll through 14 time zones, wrapping up in the Pacific Time zone representative San Francisco, CA. Traversing more than 25 cities in 10 countries, Earth Hour will be the largest voluntary power down in history.

Folks, this is not just some fringe movement. Globally recognized landmarks and buildings, such as the Sears Tower and Golden Gate Bridge, as well as sports teams and corporations, including the Phoenix Suns, Hewlett Packard, Esurance and National Geographic Channel, are joining this climate change movement sweeping the world.

Sponsored by the World Wildlife Federation (WWF), WWF officials have said that the goal of Earth Hour is to raise awareness of climate change and demonstrate how by working together, individuals can make a difference in the fight against this global issue.

In addition to turning off lights, Earth Hour participants are being asked to replace older light bulbs with highly efficient compact fluorescent bulbs, and to pledge to take actions to reduce their energy consumption on a daily basis.

WWF’s inaugural Earth Hour took place in Sydney, Australia in March 2007 with more than 2.2 million people participating in an effort that darkened such iconic structures as the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge and resulted in a 10 percent drop in energy usage—
double what had been predicted.

Participating is easy -- just turn off your indoor and outdoor lights at the designated time for one hour. Even further energy reductions can be deomonstrated worldwide if you also turn off any running appliances during that time.

So, let's see how we can all make a difference in an easy and fun way. For further information, visit

http://www.earthhourus.org/#

Optionally you can sign up as a participant on this website if you wish to receive further updated information.

We look forward to your participation!

For more tips on ways to reduce energy consumption at work and at home,visit http://www.earthhour.org/earth-hour-every-day.

ODEAB Implements New Strategy for Monitoring Industry

At its meeting today, the ODEAB discussed and enacted a new strategy to monitor and act on the environmental compliance of nearby industries. Each board member will be responsible for monitoring the status of air and water permits, enforcement actions, and the toxic release inventory (TRI) data submitted by each entity. All of this data can be found on-line at various sources.

• Bob Cattani agreed to continue monitoring the enforcement actions and permits at AMROX, which he has been doing this past year.
• Mark Coleman will monitor the enforcement actions and permits at Precoat Metals. He also will report monthly on ozone readings captured at the ozone monitor located at the Water Company.
• Susan MiHalo will monitor the permits and enforcement actions at the USS Midwest Plant as well as Indiana American Water.
• Jim Petsas agreed to monitor and report on the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) archive of Combined Sewer Overflows and Sanitary System Overflows. Data from that archive can then be correlated to any beach closings or advisories.

Reports will be provided at each ODEAB meeting; and it's possible that there will be no reports on an of these entities, depending on their compliance. Information will be collected on forms and tracked for long-term purposes, i.e., such as commenting on pending water or air permits for those entities.

The Board also discussed the status of the CLEAN (Comprehensive Local Environmental Action Network) Program with respect to getting area businesses, such as the gas station or realtors, involved in CLEAN. Mark Coleman agreed to talk with the gas station about providing a pop can/water bottle recycling receptacle; and we will approach the realtors about making sure new residents receive information on our recycling program as well as the "Every Drop Counts" citizens guide on protecting water quality.

Pollywog Pond Before and After

I finally had an opportunity to take some photos of ice skaters on Pollywog Pond. Please enjoy the before and after photos. The before photo was taken in May 2006; and the after photo was taken February 15, 2008.

The link below this photo has more information about this restoration project: http://odeab.blogspot.com/2008/01/pollywog-pond-fit-for-skating-again.html

This project is part of Ogden Dunes' ongoing participation in the Clean Community Challenge sponsored by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.

The Town of Ogden Dunes’ Environmental Advisory Board has scheduled the following meeting dates for 2008 at the Town Hall:

Wednesday, February 20, 9:00 a.m.
Wednesday, March 19, 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 17, 9:00 a.m.
Wednesday, May 21, 9:00 a.m.
Wednesday, June 18, 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, July 16, 9:00 a.m.
Wednesday, August 20, 9:00 a.m.
Wednesday, September 17, 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 15, 9:00 a.m.
Wednesday, November 19, 7:00 p.m.
No December meeting, unless necessary

All meetings are open to the public. Please feel free to join us!

Herbiciding Contract Approved for Marsh

Last night the Town Council approved, pending approval from the Lake Michigan Coastal Program, a contract with Aquatic Weed Technology to herbicide the invasive species on Long Lake Marsh, including cattails and Phragmites.

Control of the invasives will most likely occur some time between July and September of 2008. The herbicide to be used, called Glyphosate, adheres to the leaves and travels down the roots to destroy the plant and root system. Destroying the root system is important because that is the primary way these kinds of plants spread. That is why simply cutting down invasive plants will not work.

Glysophate is specially formatted for aquatic systems and its effects dissapate within several hours of application. This is the product that was used to successfuly control Phragmites on Pollywog Pond.

Afterwards I was asked by someone whether or not we can get started earlier so that people can take their kayaks onto Long Lake. While I have a desire to kayak there as well, timing is crucial for herbiciding and it should be completed when the plants are storing starch in their root systems.

We will try to give neighbors advance notice of the herbiciding so that they can keep their pets out of the marsh for a few days. In addition, signage will be posted before and afterwards warning of any hazards.

It's important to note too, for those of you who love the cattails, that we will probably never be able to eradicate all of them.

Algae Blooms Increasing in Lake Michigan

Beach managers and scientists in the Great Lakes are reporting a marked increase in algae blooms in their lakes. Following is a report by the Michigan Environmental Council that details more information and what can be done to solve it.

"Something's Amuck, Algae Blooms Return to Michigan Shores" (June 2006)
http://www.mecprotects.org/algae062006.pdf

Interestingly, a lot of what is covered in the section on how to solve the problem are some of the same strategies and tips included in our "Every Drop Counts" brochure sent to residents last fall.