Phragmites Control Permitting Requirements

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Phragmites Control Permitting Requirements

• Eric Bacon and Matt Preisser
• MDEQ, Water Bureau
• Robyn Schmidt
• MDEQ, Land and Water Management Division
• June 6, 2009

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Available Resources

• www.michigan.gov/deqaquaticinvasives

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Phragmites Control Methodology

• Step 1 Herbicide Treatment
• Only effective way to affect the entire plant
  (above and below ground portions)
• Step 2 Secondary/Follow-Up Treatments
• Mechanical (e.g., mowing)
• Burning
• Flooding
• Step 3 Repeat (each year becomes easier)
• KEY Correct treatment must be applied at the
  correct time in the Phragmites life cycle!

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Step 1 Herbicide Treatment
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MDEQ Aquatic Nuisance Control Program

• State Law Part 33, Aquatic Nuisance Control, of
  Natural Resources and Environmental Protection
  Act, PA 451, 1994, as amended (NREPA)
• When is a permit required? With few exceptions,
  any herbicide treatment in
• Inland waters of the state (standing water)
• Along the Great Lakes and Lake St. Clair below
  the ordinary high water mark
• Examples inland lakes, ponds, streams, wetlands,
  ditches, exposed Great Lakes bottomlands

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ANC Permitting How does it work?

• Staff 5 (all in Lansing)
• Permit versus Certificate of Coverage (COC)
• - In 2008, permits/COCs reviewed 2,131
• Applicant submits form to MDEQ target plants,
  proposed herbicides, waterbody info, location map
• MDEQ conducts review decision required within
  30/15 business days for permits/COCs,
  respectively
• MDEQ permit lists approved herbicides,
  rates/amounts, location(s), special conditions
• New permit required each year

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Practical Advice forHerbicide Treatments

• Who can apply for a permit/COC?
• - Applicant individual(s), homeowners
  association, applicator, consultant, unit of
  government, etc.
• - Multiple properties OK. Coordination with
  neighbors is beneficial reduced cost, less
  recolonization from neighboring properties
• Who can conduct the herbicide treatment?
• - Depends on the herbicide (some require
  certification)
• - Consider hiring a licensed applicator (list of
  companies www.michigan.gov/deqinlandlakes)
• - Shop around, obtain multiple quotes
• Treatment method? Aim for selectivity
• - Hand wicking, wand, backpack sprayer,
  tractor/boom

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Common ANC Questions

• Application fees?
• - COCs 75
• - Permits 75, 200, 400, 800, 1,500
  (treatment size)
• Are the herbicides safe? Yes.
• Registered/reviewed by US EPA, MDA, and MDEQ
  Water Toxics Unit. Very few herbicides past
  muster for direct application to/near water.
• Must be used according to permit label
  requirements.
• Applicator licensing, certification
• How will I know if an area has been treated?
• Written notifications, posting signs
• Can I chemically treat all the vegetation? No,
  counter-productive to invasive species control
  envl impacts

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Step 2 Secondary/Follow-Up Treatments
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Mechanical Treatment

• Part 303, Wetlands Protection, and Part 325,
  Great Lakes Submerged Lands, of NREPA

• A permit is required for mowing on the Great
  Lakes below the OHWM
• Mowing as a phragmites treatment can be approved
  under the General Permit for Limited Great Lakes
  Shoreline Management Activities.

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Elements of an Application

• Permit application form
• Short form available at www.michigan.gov/deqwetla
  nds
• Application Fee
• 50 for all Great Lakes bottomland mowing
  projects
• Phragmites Control Plan
• Description of the treatment area.
• Type of mechanical equipment proposed
• Type of herbicide proposed
• Copy of the ANC permit or application
• Treatment schedule

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Elements of an Application

• Project Site Plan
• Property dimensions
• Approximate OHWM
• Approximate waters edge
• Treatment area dimensions
• Areas with native vegetation

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Practical Advice for Mechanical Treatments

• Choose the appropriate equipment, depending on
  the size and wetness of the site
• Weed whips and hand tools for dry, low density
  sites
• Small mowers for dry, low density sites
• Brush cutters for dry or frozen high density
  sites
• Always set mower and cutter blades to highest
  position possible, no lower than 4 inches
• Inspect mower blades to ensure effective cutting
• Mow wet sites during winter when soils are frozen

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Practical Advice Mechanical Treatments

• For very dense stands, mow once in the winter
  before the herbicide treatment to remove excess
  biomass and ease herbicide application
• Mow in two directions to adequately chop thatch
• Allow time for herbicide to take effect
• Remove thatch only if it can be done without
  damage to wetland soils

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Prescribed Fire

• Not a feasible option for typical landowners
• Check with local authorities and fire department
• Contact the Michigan Prescribed Fire Council
  www.firecouncil.org
• Never use burning alone as a control technique

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Water Level Management

• Part 303, Wetlands Protection, and Part 301,
  Inland Lakes and Streams, of NREPA
• Not a feasible treatment for typical landowners
• Permit Application
• Joint Permit Form
• Fee 500
• Public Notice and full
  environmental review required.

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Step 3 Repeat

• Annual monitoring watch for regrowth, new
  colonies
• Successive treatments should smaller
• Requires sustained commitment!

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MDEQ Contact Information

• Water Bureau (ANC Program)
• Web www.michigan.gov/deqinlandlakes
• Phone [phone]
• Email deq-lwm-anc_at_michigan.gov
• Land and Water Management Division
• Web www.michigan.gov/deqwetlands
• Phone [phone]
• Email SCHMIDTR1_at_michigan.gov

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Thank You!