Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Invasive Species Planning and Control Continues through Partnership Efforts




Field Season 2012 and Planning 2013

Article submitted by MITW Environmental Services Department, representing the Invasive Species Workgroup



This article is intended to be an annual update on the progress made toward management of invasive species that are threatening the environment on the Menominee Reservation.  A workgroup, which includes representatives from the Tribe, Menominee County, UW Extension and the Wisconsin DNR, has developed an Invasive Species Management Plan (ISMP) that has been approved by Menominee County and Menominee Tribal Legislature.  MITW Resolution 09-30 led to the formation of this workgroup to draft an Invasive Species Management Plan.  The plan outlines strategies for work to be done, issues that need attention, and summarizes work conducted during the past year.  This effort is also consistent with the MITW strategic plan.  To this point Menominee Tribal Enterprise (MTE) has chosen not to participate as a partner to the ISMP.  MTE has informed the workgroup that they will be reporting on work accomplished and planning activities in a separate article. 

Outlined below are the 2012/13 results of the workgroup and the management approach to develop the collaborative working relationship that is identified within the ISMP.  The workgroup is now using the plan as the tool for the work being conducted by the entities named above.  In addition the plan has provided excellent outreach and training opportunities for the public as well as personnel currently working within the Menomonee Reservation.  Additional information can be found on the MITW website at http://mitw-environmentalservicesdepartment.blogspot.com/
For questions related to the ISMP, please feel free to contact the MITW Environmental Services Department or any of the other resources contacts listed in the sections below.

2012 Field Season Accomplishments

Aquatic Invasive Species

Eurasian water milfoil
In May of 2012 123.1acres of EWM were treated on Legend Lake and 6.5 acres were treated on Moshawquit Lake.  Mapping was done again in October 2012 with 60 acres being mapped in Legend Lake and 9.25 acres in Moshawquit Lake. Treatment and survey results have been completed by Cason and Associates, expenses covered by the LLPOA.  Hand pulling will also take place in those areas shallow enough to do so.

Purple loosestrife
LCD identified several flowing plants around the shores of Southeast Bass Lake in summer.  Time constraints and inadequate access to the shoreline with purple loosestrife didn’t allow this to occur.  Will try to accomplish in 2013.  River float surveys and mapping were conducted by summer interns on the Wolf River covering the river from the north line to Keshena.

Zebra mussels
LCD received a report that zebra mussels have moved into Skice Lake.  Zebra mussels are now found throughout the Legend Lake chain as of 2012.  ESD sampled for veligers in LaMotte, SE Bass, Upper Bass lakes and the Neopit Mill pond and we are still waiting to hear from DNR on the results.

Curly-leaf pondweed
CLP treatment took place on both Legend and Moshawquit Lakes in 2012.  In May of 2012 19.3 acres of CLP were treated in Legend Lake and 7.6 acres were treated in Moshawquit Lake. Both lakes were surveyed again in October with 27.9 acres being found in Legend and 3 acres being found in Moshawquit.  Hand pulling will also take place in those areas that shallow enough to do so.

Common Reed
LCD, ESD, and DoTR completed herbicide treatments with Rodeo at four of five known locations of exotic Phragmites within the county/reservation.  The one location not treated is along Highway 55 at the former Vigue Trout Ponds.  This site is within the Wolf River Corridor and could not be treated under current restrictions.  Foliar treatments were very effective along Highways 47, M, and VV.  The treatment appeared to be less effective along Rainbow Falls Road.  All sites will be monitored in 2013 and retreated as necessary.  Three additional sites were found:  one along CTH M, one at Rushes Lake, and along Minnow Creek Road.  These three sites were determined to be native reed and not the exotic reed. In cooperation with MITW-Environmental Services and Menominee Co.,

Terrestrial Invasive Plants

Japanese barberry Extent
LCD found several (around 10) scattered barberry plants throughout the lakes area in 2012 and cut and stump treated any that were on public land.  MITW planning is underway to treat the areas within the village of Keshena. Additional plants were located behind the basketball course on top of the hill in Keshena.  About 5-7 plants were identified during wildfire suppression.  
Garlic mustard
Treatments by LCD included herbicide treatment with glyphosate along the same 13 spots on highway 55, the area near Silver Canoe Road by Legend Lake, and the small area in Zoar.  Two new locations were found in 2012, the first being along Old South Branch Road near Bent Tree Path, and the second being along Lawe Avenue in Neopit.  The site along Old South Branch Road was herbicide treated and the site in Neopit (along with the Shotgun Eddy site) was hand pulled and all plants were burned at the MTE mill in Neopit.  Approximately 1/3 of the Shotgun Eddy site was also herbicide treated to keep the plants away from the driveway and parking areas to avoid spread by campers and rafters. 
Spotted knapweed
LCD treated 30 spots totaling approximately 12 acres around Legend and Southeast Bass Lakes.  Areas treated ranged in size from small patches with 50 plants to 5 acres around the Legend Lake Dam #3.  LCD used glyphosate for all treatments of knapweed.  Many mature plants in later summer were hand pulled, bagged and disposed of properly. 

Leafy spurge
A few plants were again found again in 2012 along Old South Branch Road and treated with glyphosate.  A new patch about 10 feet by 80 feet was located along Rushes Lake Road.  This site was also herbicide treated with glyphosate in 2012.  Both sites will be revisited in 2013.

Cypress spurge
The spurge along STH 55 was herbicide treated in 2012 and monitoring in 2013 will determine if follow up treatments are required.

Wild parsnip
The wild parsnip along CTH M was herbicide treated early in 2012 to address the plants before they grew large.  By fall, no plants were detected in this area and monitoring will in continue in 2013 for additional treatment.  A new site of wild parsnip was identified by the county highway department along St. Joseph Church Road.  This site is along the eastern ditch and extends for 100 feet or so.

Exotic honeysuckles
LCD took GPS coordinates of all remaining honeysuckle found within the lakes area in fall 2012.  No treatments were completed by LCD in 2012.  MITW ESD located and acquired GPS location of a very large stand near the Middle Village area within sustained yield forest. 
Reed canary grass
No active management in 2012.

Buckthorns
LCD cut and stump treated about 12 saplings and trees as they were encountered on taxable lands in 2012.  A new stand of buckthorn was located in Tribal Office Loop Road.

Norway maple
No controls done to date.  All agencies need to keep watch for potential areas on routine survey activities.  Forest infestations of Norway maple will most likely occur nearby homes and yards.

Tansy
Several areas have been found within the sustained yield forest lands since 2010.  Two of the sites were treated by MTIW Community Development, but it has not resulted in control of the invasive due to the mechanical method used and this will also require further monitoring to detect additional spread that may have resulted due to inadequate treatment methods.  Other sites should be treated in the upcoming 2012 field season, but limited resources may be an issue.  The sites continue to be monitored but no treatment was completed in 2012.

Japanese knotweed
The knotweed at the LLPOA yard waste site did not receive herbicide treatment in 2012.  All mature plants were scraped and dug out mechanically and all debris placed on the burn pile to be burned in early 2013.  Follow up monitoring in 2013 will provide information on what treatment will be needed in 2013.

Forest Insects

Gypsy moth
Numbers of egg masses have increased slightly.  No treatments will be required in Menominee in 2013.  Egg mass surveys in fall 2012 indicate a low probability for defoliation in spring 2013, as well

Invasive basswood thrips
MTE observed that early spring damage to new leaves by this small insect were very minor during general forest health surveys

Emerald ash borer
MTE deployed purple prism traps and visually searched for signs and symptoms of the wood boring beetle.  Results were negative for adults, larvae, or damage in 2012.

Forest Pathogens


Oak wilt
30 prevention permits written out by LCD to landowners needing to cut oaks for construction or hazardous circumstances.





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