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CPA Application_BBC_April 2014.pdfCOMMUNITY PRESERVATION PROJECT APPLICATION COVER SHEET I: Project Information Project Title: Control of the invasive plant, Phragmites australis, on the Broad Brook Project Summary: Funding is requested to provide the Broad Brook Coalition (BBC) with the resources needed to control and eradicate a recently discovered stand of the invasive plant, Phragmites australis, on the Broad Brook in the Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area. Expedited review would enable the BBC to initiate the project prior to the peak growing season for this plant during which the stand is predicted to expand. The availability of funds in June 2014 would facilitate achievement of this goal. Estimated start date: June 2014_Estimated completion date: September 2016 CPA Program Area (check all that apply): X Open Space Historic Preservation Community Housing Recreation II: Applicant/Developer Information Contact Person and or/primary applicant: Robert Zimmermann Property Owner (if applicable): Northampton Conservation Commission Organization (if applicable): Broad Brook Coalition Mailing Address: 549 North Farms Road, Florence, MA 01062 Daytime phone #: (413) 545-0936 Fax #: (413) 545-3291 E-mail address & Website: raz@umass.edu III: Budget Summary Total budget for project: $2,450 CPA funding request: $2,450 CPA request as percentage of total budget: 100% Applicant’s Signature: Date Submitted: April 24, 2014 CONTROL OF THE INVASIVE PLANT, Phragmites austraiis, ON THE BROAD BROOK NARRATIVE Project Summary Funding is requested to provide the Broad Brook Coalition (BBC) with the resources needed to control and eradicate a recently discovered stand of the invasive plant, Phragmites australis, on the Broad Brook in the Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area (FLCA). Phragmites is a wetland plant that threatens critical habitats for native wildlife and plants. For example, the stand in question is just upstream from a section of the Broad Brook in which the endangered dwarf wedge mussel has been found. Expedited review would enable the BBC to initiate appropriate treatment of this plant prior to its peak growing season and therefore prevent its expansion. Background The Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area is owned by the Northampton Conservation Commission and managed by the Broad Brook Coalition, a 501(c)(3) organization of roughly 200 individuals and families, in collaboration with the Conservation Commission, for the purpose of conservation, passive recreation, and watershed protection. The FLCA presently consists of over 800 acres and contains forest, open meadow, and wetland habitats as well as a 40-acre artificial lake. The responsibilities of the BBC include trail maintenance and improvement, invasive species removal, native shrub planting, pasture mowing and periodic water quality analysis, as well as a series of educational Walks and Talks. A map of the FLCA showing the location of the stand of phragmites discussed in this proposal (in red) is attached. Community Preservation Criteria The goal of work described in this application is to preserve the native habitat of the Broad Brook within the FLCA by controlling the proliferation of Phragmites australis (also known as the common reed), Phragmites is an extremely invasive plant that will cause significant injury to the health of native plant and animal habitats downstream if left unchecked. This work is consistent with, and a continuation of, our previous, successful efforts to control invasive plants in the FLCA, that has been funded by past and present grants from the CPA (contracts 246-10 and 250-13). The entire FLCA is listed as "Core Habitat" by the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program and the area through which the Broad Brook flows below the Fitzgerald Lake dam is designated as "Priority and Estimated Habitat" owing to the presence of endangered species, including the dwarf wedge mussel. Realization of this project will help to improve and preserve the health of Northampton's premier wildlife conservation area which may otherwise deteriorate due to the proliferation of invasive plant species. The Allowable Use Category is Preservation of Open Space and the control and removal of invasive plants from the FLCA is a goal incorporated in the current Northampton Open Space, Recreation & Multi-Use Trail Plan. Given the well-defined scope of this project, we are confident that it can be accomplished successfully within the time frame and budget described below. Proposal: Control of a Stand of Phragmites australis on the Broad Brook Once established, Phragmites australis typically spreads and threatens the integrity of the habitat in which it is found through the proliferation of dense, monotypic stands that choke out native plant species and eliminate habitat for the animals and birds that depend upon stream banks and marshland environments for shelter and forage. Careful, localized application of an herbicide such as Rodeo (glyphosate) is the preferred method for phragmites control in the FLCA as damage to native plants and animals is expected to be minimal. Furthermore, the treated areas have an excellent potential for the return of natural vegetation. For instance, we have observed that the three stands of phragmites on the Broad Brook that have been subjected to herbicide treatment in the past few years have been replaced by robust growth of cattails. Successful control of the subject stand of phragmites will require three years, with most of the effort expended in the first year. In June 2014, Phragmites stalks will be cut with brush saws and left to decompose on site. The summer's regrowth will be treated with the herbicide Rodeo in September 2014, using backpack sprayers for dense growth and more targeted application by either the “cut and drip” or “glove” techniques for areas where desirable native plants are interspersed with phragmites. This year's efforts will be followed up by targeted application of herbicide to residual plants in September 2015 and September 2016, resulting in a predicted control rate of 99% in the third year. An expedited review of this application is requested owing to the urgent need to control the expansion of the stand of phragmites described above. While only a couple of dozen stalks were observed just two years ago, the stand has now expanded to 0.9 acres as estimated by Polatin Ecological Services (see PES proposal attached). A CPC commitment in May 2014 would be most helpful as the disbursement of funds is anticipated to begin in June 2014. If not treated this summer, the phragmites stand is predicted to rapidly expand, causing further damage to the habitat of the Broad Brook and the bordering marshland. PROJECT BUDGET Full funding of the proposed project is requested from the Community Preservation Act. Alternative sources of funding that the BBC has previously called upon are no longer available. Year 1 (2014) $ 1,800 Year 2 (2015) 400 Year 3 (2015) 250 Request for CPA Funds $ 2,450 MULTI-YEAR FUNDING Phragmites Control: scope of project is 3 years with approximately 75% of the funding to be expended in Year 1. PROJECT TIMELINE Year 1: Phragmites plants will be cut in June 2014 and treated with herbicide by approved s techniques in September 2014. Year 2: Residual plants will be treated with herbicide as appropriate in September 2015. Year 2: Residual plants will be treated with herbicide as appropriate in September 2016 FEASIBILITY We propose to engage Polatin Ecological Services (PES) for invasive plant removal. PES, which has worked with BBC over several years, is knows the FLCA well. Permits required for the application of herbicides in wetland areas will be obtained by PES with the assistance of the Northampton Office of Planning and Sustainability. PES is fully licensed for herbicide application in Massachusetts and is insured for liability. ATTACHMENTS Map of Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area and adjacent area showing in red the approximate location of the phragmites stand described in this proposal Proposal from Polatin Ecological Services, LLC Polatin Ecological Services, LLC Habitat Restoration & Management of Natural Areas Polatin Ecological Services, LLC 413-367-5292 P.O. Box 511 732-474-9757 fax Turners Falls, Massachusetts 01376 April 2, 2014 Bob Zimmermann Broad Brook Coalition 549 North Farms Road Florence, MA 01062 PROPOSAL – Fourth Phragmites Patch Management, Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area, Northampton, MA An estimated budget for services associated with managing common reed (Phragmites australis) at Fitzgerald Lake within the marsh/wetland area north of Cooke’s Pasture is outlined below. Jon O’Gara visited the site on October 8, 2013 to evaluate phragmites site conditions at what is referred to as the fourth phragmites patch. At that time, a quick treatment of the phragmites was conducted. The amount of phragmites is estimated to be 0.9 acre, and occurs at high density. Woody native plants are interspersed within the patch; cattail (Typha latifolia) occurs along the margins. Upon your authorization, Polatin Ecological Services (PES) will provide the following services: Proposed Services and Costs Task 1. Cut phragmites stand (June 2014). We will cut all existing phragmites with brush saws. Cut plant material will be left in place. $900.00 Task 2. Initial herbicide application (September 2014). Our crew will use backpack sprayers to foliar spray all dense phragmites monoculture areas. Phragmites will be 3-4’ height at this time so our crew can work from the ground rather than from ladders. The herbicide Rodeo® (EPA Reg. No. 62719-324) will be used for all herbicide applications (2-5% volume/volume) mixed with wetland surfactant and drift control agent. Rodeo® is a wetland approved glyphosate based herbicide that is considered the standard for successful phragmites control and protection of wetland resource areas. For areas of phragmites which are less dense and interspersed with desirable native vegetation we will use the targeted herbicide application methods described below. $900.00 Task 3. Phragmites handwork and follow-up herbicide application (September 2015) using the targeted herbicide application methods described below. $400.00 Task 5. Phragmites follow-up herbicide application (September 2016) using targeted methods. $250.00 Total estimated budget for entire scope of work is $2,450.00 Proposal for Phragmites Management Fitzgerald Lake Northampton, MA Polatin Ecological Services, LLC 413-367-5292 P.O. Box 511 732-474-9757 fax Turners Falls, Massachusetts 01376 Costs are calculated using the following rates: $35/hr. for crew drive time from company headquarters in Gill, MA; $50/hr. labor per restoration technician working on the project (Massachusetts licensed pesticide applicator); mileage rate = $0.56/mile (2014 IRS mileage reimbursement rate) (roundtrip mileage between Gill Headquarters and the Fitzgerald Lake project site is 57 miles); herbicide materials estimated at cost plus 5% to account for freight/delivery costs.. We will provide an invoice at the completion of each task with the expectation of payment within 30 days. Targeted Herbicide Application Method We use targeted methods when appropriate in order to assure that there is little to no damage to non-target native plants that are interspersed with phragmites. The following is a brief description of each method. 1. The “cut and drip” method: Each stem is cut below a node on the stem. One drop of a solution of Rodeo® herbicide with water and indicator dye is dripped into each stem. We typically use this technique in a three foot perimeter around phragmites that is growing directly adjacent to native shrubs. 2. The “glove” technique: To conduct the “glove” technique each herbicide applicator wears a chemical resistant glove underneath an absorbent cotton glove. The applicator also carries a hand pumped low volume backpack sprayer equipped with specialized ultra- low-volume nozzles. The applicator moistens the glove from the backpack sprayer, then wipes each stem and leaf of the individual phragmites plants. Though labor intensive, the technique limits herbicide exposure to non-target plants. Success Criteria Objective: 80% (or better) phragmites control resulting from 2014 series of treatments; 95% resulting from 2015 follow-up methods; and 99% control from 2016 follow-up. We will establish several photo monitoring plots prior to management work and will monitor the results of treatments each year over the course of the project. Our work is guaranteed to meet the stated success criteria. Stewardship & Maintenance Successful phragmites management requires a serious commitment and will need to be ongoing in order to protect your investment in management. To keep the phragmites out of the area for the long term it will be necessary to watch the area closely by scouting for new patches and individual plants, even after the 3 years of treatment. Options for managing phragmites after the initial three years usually consist of hand pulling, spot herbicide spraying, and/or cutting. We can continue the maintenance work for a reasonable annual cost ($250/year estimated). If this proposal is acceptable, please authorize with your signature in the space provided and mail a copy back to the address below. Proposal for Phragmites Management Fitzgerald Lake Northampton, MA Polatin Ecological Services, LLC 413-367-5292 P.O. Box 511 732-474-9757 fax Turners Falls, Massachusetts 01376 ___________________________________________________________________ Signature Date If you have any questions, please call me at 413-367-5292 or email me at chris@polatineco.com. Sincerely Yours, Chris Polatin Company Manager & Habitat Restoration Specialist We maintain the following insurance policies: • General liability • Workers compensation • Auto We have a crew of five licensed herbicide applicators who are experienced in using herbicides safely and judiciously in a targeted manner, and who are thoroughly trained in invasive plant identification.