Narrative.docxIntroduced invasive plant species occur at every city-owned conservation area in Northampton and at some properties their unchecked spread has already degraded the site’s ecological,
recreational, historical and/or aesthetic values. While limiting the spread of invasive plants at every conservation area may be a goal, it is probably not feasible. Not only are the
most problematic and widespread species notoriously difficult to kill, but in the absence of any effective biological controls, controlling them is a time-consuming, labor intensive,
and expensive venture.
For all these reasons, it is important to plan strategically and carefully consider where, why, when, and how to focus efforts. In prioritizing invasives control efforts, naturalist
Laurie Sanders reviewed each of the city’s conservation areas and assessed the extent of invasion, the vulnerability of the site, the size of invasion, the values of the site, and which
species to target. She also took into account whether an outside group was active in helping to manage the conservation area.
Based on this analysis, she selected fourteen conservation areas where the City would gain the greatest benefit for the cost of the control effort. Each of the selected areas fit one
or more of the following conditions:
The unmanaged spread of invasive plants at the property threatens the ecological integrity of a rare species or a rare or unusual habitat type of local or statewide significance (e.g.
floodplain forest (Rainbow Beach, Elwell Island), rich mesic cliffs (Mineral Hills), peat bog (Brookwood Marsh), sandplains (Sawmill Hills-Avis Circle), pitch pine barren (West Farms),
cold-water watercourse (Ridgeview-Manhan River corridor);
The unmanaged spread of invasive plants threatens to negatively impact the site’s recreational, historical, wildlife habitat, or aesthetic values (Barrett Street Marsh, Beaver Brook,
Girl Scout, Parson’s Brook, Robert’s Hill);
The population of the invasive species is, at present, small enough that it is prudent to actively manage the site now so that more costly, longer-term treatments are avoided/reduced
in the future (Girl Scout, Ridgeview, West Farms); and finally,
With the exception of Roberts Hill and the Mineral Hills, none of the selected conservation areas are currently managed by outside groups (e.g. BBC, MCCC, MRGI, etc.)
Some project areas include priority habitats, this work is exempt from review as “non-commercial forest management activities that do not require an approved Forest Cutting Plan under
the provisions of M.G.L. c. 132, §§ 40 through 46, and 304 CMR 11.00, including but not limited to pruning, cutting of fuelwood for personal use, planting of tree seedlings, or selective
cutting of trees for aesthetic purposes, provided that said management activities are carried out on Land Devoted to Forest Purposes and in accordance with a management plan approved
in writing by the Division”
The work proposed is in keeping with efforts of the Broad Brook Coalition, Lathrop Communities and other local partners who have been working to control the spread of invasive species
and promote growth of important native habitats. Targeted species will be removed by hand pulling, cutting, and targeted herbicide application. The City will work with volunteers
after initial removal efforts to continue monitoring sites, with follow-up hand pulling and mechanical treatment on an as-needed basis.
The herbicide to be used is a Garlon mixture, to be applied by a licensed herbicide applicator at the lowest labeled rate. Garlon is approved for use in sensitive areas. Application
methods will include cut stem treatment, which involves mechanical cutting of the target species and direct application to the cut stump, and stem injection, where herbicide is applied
to the stem of a plant with a needle applicator. No foliar spraying is proposed, and no work will occur within any no spray zones as defined by the Department of Agricultural Resources.
Name and address of Conservation Area
Resource Areas Present
Targeted Species
CT River Greenway-
Elwell Island (Elwells Island, Map 19-010)
Riverfront
Asiatic bittersweet, Swallowwort, Canada thistle, Ailanthus,
Japanese knotweed, Amur corktree
CT River-Rainbow Beach (Rainbow Road, Map 33-027)
Riverfront, bank and buffer
Japanese knotweed,
Asiatic bittersweet
Sawmill Hills
(Avis Circle-sandplain area) (no resource areas present)
NONE
Knapweed, Glossy buckthorn,
Asiatic bittersweet, Autumn olive, Japanese knotweed
Brookwood Marsh (Burt’s Pit) (Ellington Road, Map 29-484, Florence Road, Map 30C-048)
BVW and buffer
Glossy Buckthorn, Autumn olive, Multiflora rose, Purple loosestrife
Barrett Street Marsh (Barrett Street, Map 24B-42)
BVW and buffer
Glossy buckthorn, Asiatic bittersweet, Japanese knotweed, Japanese barberry, Yellow Iris, Morrow’s Honeysuckle
Mineral Hills (focus on cliff area) (no resource areas present)
None present in target area, but May 22 workshop may include buffer areas
Japanese barberry, Common barberry, Asiatic bittersweet, Japanese knotweed
Parson’s Brook
(1st priority riparian corridor) (Cardinal Way, Map 36-336)
Riverfront, BVW, bank, buffer
Glossy buckthorn, Amur corktree, Multiflora rose, Japanese knotweed, Morrow’s honeysuckle, Purple loosestrife
Beaver Brook/Broad Brook (Haydenville Road, Map 06-013
Riverfront, bank, buffer
Japanese knotweed, Japanese barberry, Asiatic bittersweet, Multiflora rose
Sawmill Hills (Turkey Hill Rd/Ryan Rd—old field, riparian area, area near pond) (map 28-055)
Vernal pool and VP resource area, riverfront, bank, buffer
Japanese knotweed, Asiatic bittersweet, Multiflora rose
West Farms (Westhampton Road, Map 42-165)
Potential vernal pool and VP resource area
Asiatic bittersweet in forest near Habitat for Humanity Homes
Roberts Hill (Chesterfield Road, Map 10D-001)
Vernal pool and VP resource area, BVW, buffer
Japanese knotweed, Asiatic bittersweet, Multiflora rose
Kennedy Road (Kennedy Road, Map 05-054)
Riverfront, BVW, bank, and buffer
Japanese barberry, Multiflora rose, Asiatic bittersweet
Ridgeview (Ridgeview Road, Map 41-066)
BVW and buffer
Japanese knotweed,
Asiatic bittersweet
Girl Scout (Haydenville Road, Map 06-065)
Riverfront, bank, buffer
Japanese knotweed, multiflora rose,
Asiatic bittersweet, barberry
Mineral Hills Conservation Area (Chesterfield Road, Map ID 20-003)
Riverfront
Multiflora rose, Asiatic bittersweet