Lyme Grass May Assist in Beach Erosion

Residents need to be aware of an invasive species that is capable of causing erosion of foredunes on the beach. John Ervin, Regional Ecologist, Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), recently discovered an invasion of Lyme Grass (Leymus arenarius (L.) Hochst.(= Elymus arenarius L.) on Ogden Dunes' beach.

According to Gerould Wilhelm, Conservation Design Forum, Elmhurst, IL, this plant's clumping nature promotes greater erosion, and it will eventually surplant Marram Grass, which is native to the Indiana Dunes. The Marram grass' root structure supports the establishment of foredunes, which are just important to protecting homes on Shore Drive.

While this ornamental grass is not noted federally as an invasive species, the State of Wisconsin is very concerned about an invasion in that state, where it appears to be spreading quickly and outcompeting native flora. Following is a link to Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources information about this grass:http://www.uwgb.edu/biodiversity/herbarium/invasive_species/leyare01.htm

According to John Ervin, this grass can be distinguished from Marram Grass by its height, which is around 4 feet. If the Town of Ogden Dunes is able to sign an Memo of Understanding with IDNR, he may be able to control the invasion by applying a herbicide treatment to it this fall. (Thanks to Noel Pavlovic from the Indiana Dunes National Lakshore for the photo at the top of this page. He also found Lyme Grass back in 2004 in Miller.)

It is also important that all residents refrain from planting this type of ornamental grass in their yards. In the place of non-native grasses, many of which may be invasive to the Indiana Dunes, consider instead planting native grasses such as Prairie Dropseed (http://plants.usda.gov/java/largeImage?imageID=sphe_004_avp.jpg), Big Blue Stem (http://plants.usda.gov/java/nameSearch), Little Blue Stem http://plants.usda.gov/java/largeImage?imageID=scsc_003_ahp.tif and Indian Grass (http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=SONU2&photoID=sonu2_014_ahp.tif).

Long Lake Marsh Restoration Project Moves Forward

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.

Wildflowers on Show at Pollywog Pond

Now that much of the Phragmites is under control at Pollywog Pond, a number of native species are making an appearance right now. These include:

• Purple-leaved Willow Herb (Epilobium Coloratum)
• Upland White aster (Aster Ptarmicoides)
• Purple Gerardia (Gerardia Purpurea)
• Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum)
• Kalm’s Lobelia (Lobelia Kalmii)
• Water Horehound (Lycopus Americanus)
• Bushy aster (Aster dumosus)
• Common Bog Arrowgrass (Triglochin Maritime)
• Hardstem Bulrush (Scirpus Acutus)
• Smooth Sawgrass (Cladium Mariscoides)
• Juncus (Juncus spp.)

If you go out to enjoy them, please be careful not to trample them and leave them for others to enjoy.

Unfortunately, there are still, and will always be, some invasive species that need constant vigilance and control, including:

• Phragmites
• Reed Canary Grass
• Foxtail Grass, which is a popular ornamental that is now invasive
• Bull Thistle

The success of this project is key to the ongoing achievement and improvement associated with Ogden Dunes' participation in the Clean Community Challenge sponsored by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.

Rip Current Forecasts Available

With heightened interest in rip currents lately, you may be interested to know that NOAA (Natl. Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) produces forecasts for rip currents through its National Weather Service offices.

If there are sites on the Great Lakes, these sites will appear on:
http://www.ripcurrents.noaa.gov/forecasts.shtml

Also, if you go to the forecast for Portage and click on the Hazardous Weather Outlook button, information on the rip currents will be included if the National Weather Service is forecasting a moderate or high risk of rip currents.

Portage Forecast:
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Portage&state=IN&site=LOT&textField1=41.5867&textField2=-87.1815&e=0

Hazardous Weather Outlook:
http://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=INZ002&warncounty=INC127&firewxzone=INZ002&local_place1=Portage+IN&product1=Hazardous+Weather+Outlook

What you decide to do with this information is up to you.

With respect to educating yourself about rip currents, helpful information exists on the town website:
http://www.ogdendunes.net/beachconditions.html
(Clicking on the Rip Currents button links to you NOAA.)

Brochures on the subject are also available in the Town Hall foyer.

The Ogden Dunes Environmental Advisory Board would like to request that the Town Council discuss how this information can be effectively brought to the attention of residents and visitors.

Spraying to Officially Begin August 20

Just got the word from John Olsen from Aquatic Weed Technology that the spraying of the cattails on Long Lake Marsh will officially begin on Wednesday, August 20.

Please stay away from the area, and especially keep kids and dogs out of the marsh, until the weekend.

Contact Susan MiHalo if you have any questions or concerns.

Cattail Spraying Waits for Weather Window

The cattail control project at Long Lake Marsh did not start on August 14 as planned due to the wet weather the night before. In order for the herbicide to be effective, it should be sprayed on plants that are fairly dry. Therefore, the spraying project will commence as soon as we experience a string of dry weather, hopefully some time during the week of August 18. We will notify you the day it starts, and signs will be posted advising you to keep out of the area.

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.