Phragmites Treatments along Saginaw Bay Shoreline Area

Press Release - For Immediate Release
Contact: Alicia Wallace - (989) 895-4195

Treatments to control dense infestations of the invasive weed Phragmites will be done in the next week when weather conditions improve and are favorable for the treatment. The weather parameters for treatment include winds less than 10 miles per hour and less than 40% chance of rain within 6 hours of treatment so these conditions will dictate the exact date and time of treatment.

This is a ground based treatment that will be done by Wildlife & Wetlands Solutions, of Traverse City, Michigan. The spray equipment will use public access sites to enter the treatment area along the Saginaw Bay Shoreline and will work in the bottom lands of the Bay.

Phragmites treatment will be done with a mixture of the products Aqua Neat and Habitat which are aquatic formulations with the active ingredient pesticides Glyphosate and Imazapyr. These are non-selective herbicides that can cause damage to any plant that they contact. People and pets should avoid contact with the treated areas until spray solution has dried (approximately 6 hours) to prevent transfer of the spray product onto desirable vegetation. Surface water in treatment areas should not be used for irrigation for at least 24 hours after treatment.
The treatment areas are located along the Saginaw Bay in Pinconning, Fraser and Hampton Townships here in Bay County; north of Vanderbilt Park in Tuscola County and on Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe lands in Arenac County. Property Owners in the spray areas have been notified. Maps of treatment areas and labels of the spray products to be used may be viewed online at: http://www.baycounty-mi.gov/EACD/ or at the Bay County Environmental Affairs and Community Development Department located on the 5th floor of the Bay County Building, 515 Center Ave., Bay City, Michigan 48708.

This project was funded in part by the Michigan Invasive Species Grant Program (http://www.michigan.gov/mdard/0,4610,7-125-2390_2443---,00.html) Any questions should be directed to Alicia Wallace, Bay County Environmental Affairs and Community Development Department, at 989-895-4195 or 989-895-4135.