Restored Mispillion Wetland of Delaware Offsets Losses from Superfund Site
October 6, 2008
Along the Mispillion River in Kent County, Del., an eroded, degraded marsh has been transformed into vital habitat for local wildlife. The 56-acre private site consists of one of the river’s original meanders and associated wetland with more than 2,000 feet of river frontage. Today, representatives from the public-private partnership that made the project possible gathered to celebrate its success with a tour of the site.
This restoration, which was completed in June, is a Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration (NRDAR) project for the DuPont Newport Superfund Site located in Wilmington, Del. The Trustees, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (US FWS), were authorized to recover damages to trust resources associated with a release of a hazardous waste at the NewPort site.
The Trustees worked cooperatively with DuPont to identify a project that would replace the resources lost at the Newport Superfund Site. The restoration site selected was one of 40 considered.
“This project proves that the public and private sectors can create a magnificent legacy when they solve environmental problems together,” said Sheryl Telford, director of the DuPont Corporate Remediation Group. “It was a pleasure working with the Trustees to select and restore this stretch of the Mispillion River.”
Over the past 50 years, this site had taken a beating. The oxbow channel had filled in. The marsh was degraded by sediment and infested with phragmites (Phragmites australis), an invasive plant. The western edge of the marsh was severely eroded due to boat wakes. All this, coupled with the highly erodible soils, meant certain death for the marsh without intervention.
The Trustees came up with a plan. In order to reopen the long-silted-in oxbow, sediment was dredged out and spread over the marsh in a thin layer. They also dredged selected mudflats that were once tidal pools, creating vital fish rearing areas.Â
To provide immediate protection from erosive forces such as boat wakes, large diameter woody debris (LWD), were anchored along the riverbank in a crisscross pattern. The LWD consisted of green hardwood trees between 12 and 25 feet long with a root ball. In addition, rows of coir logs (made of coconut fiber) were placed behind the LWD.
This less intrusive bioengineering method not only protects the river bank but also traps organic and mineral sediment while providing roosting, nesting and foraging opportunities for fish and wildlife.
“This successful cleanup and restoration is a great example of the efforts NOAA’s Damage Assessment Remediation and Restoration Program encourages,” said Robert Haddad, NOAA Chief - Assessment and Restoration Division. “Working with our partners and co-trustees, we have been able to repair a degraded marsh and restore important habitat.”
Restoration of the marsh began with the removal of phragmites. The marsh responded, and now a more diverse plant community covers 90 percent of the area, including salt marsh cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora), which began to grow on its own after the phragmites were removed. Native plants, such as pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata), arrow arum (Peltandra virginica) and salt marsh cordgrass now dominate the site. Wild rice (Zizania aquatica) also has begun to colonize areas where the soil is in thin layers.
“By removing the invasive plants, native vegetation has come back to the marsh, providing critical habitat for local and migratory birds,” said Michael Thabault, Northeast Assistant Regional Director - Ecological Services, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “The natural materials used to protect the river bank will also enhance habitat for fish.”
The restoration site will remain in private hands, with a conservation easement held and enforced by DNREC, which will also take responsibility for the project following a five-year monitoring phase.
“We utilized the expertise of all the agencies involved to protect a river, restore a beautiful wetland, and recover resources lost at a Superfund site. This is the how the Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration partnership works,” said DNREC Secretary John A. Hughes. “Working together to restore and enhance Delaware’s living resources will yield environmental benefits far into the future.”
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Detroit Lakes Area Residents Are Reminded of DNR Aquatic Plant Management Permit Requirements Related to Control of Flowering Rush
September 18, 2008
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) supports well-planned control of flowering rush, which is an invasive species. Nevertheless, lakeshore residents and users must ensure that control of this plant does not cause unintended harm, such as the removal of native bulrush or the further spread of flowering rush from disturbing the plant’s root fragments.
For this reason, the DNR requires that lakeshore owners obtain a permit before removing emergent plants, including flowering rush, by any method proposed. With proper justification, a DNR aquatic plant management permit may be issued to remove the invasive plant in order to provide reasonable use and access for property owners.
Flowering rush was first discovered in the Detroit Lakes area in the 1970s in Deadshot Bay. It has since been documented in Detroit, Sallie, Melissa, and Muskrat lakes, the Pelican River, Mill Pond, and most recently, Buck Lake.
Hand removal may increase the risk of further spread of this invasive plant. Chemical treatment, which limits the potential fragmentation and disruption of the root system of the plant, is currently considered the best option for long-term control of flowering rush.
The Pelican River Watershed District is currently permitted through the DNR to attempt to manage and limit the further spread of the plant through chemical treatment of existing stands of flowering rush around the lake.
For more information on the DNR’s Aquatic Plant Management Program or the aquatic plant permitting process, visit www.mndnr.gov/eco/apm
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Curly Leaf Pondweed in McClusky Canal, North Dakota
August 15, 2008
The recent discovery of curly leaf pondweed in the McClusky Canal in central North Dakota serves as a reminder for all water recreationists, including waterfowl hunters, to abide by regulations intended to help prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species.
A state Game and Fish Department fisheries crew discovered the unwanted plant in late July. The plant was spotted in the canal waters near Lake Audubon.
Lynn Schlueter, ANS coordinator, said curly leaf pondweed causes problems to fish populations and hinders recreational fishing. “It is going to be hard to control its spread throughout the canal chain as Lake Audubon is a very large reinfestation source upstream,” he said. “At this point, we can notify recreationists that there is a problem and they have to take the required precautions to prevent it from moving to other areas.”
Curly leaf pondweed grows to a deep depth and forms thick stands, making it extremely difficult to fish in. The plant dies in late summer, and decaying vegetation and seeds for next year’s plants drift about the water body.
It is extremely important ANS regulations are followed, Schlueter said, while emphasizing this finding serves as a good reminder for water recreationists to abide by the rules. “If not, citations may be issued,” he added.
ANS can be transported from lake to lake by boats, trailers and other recreational equipment. To comply with regulations, anglers, hunters, boaters and personal watercraft users must:
Inspect and remove all aquatic vegetation from boats, personal watercraft, trailers, and associated equipment such as fishing poles and lures before leaving a body of water.
Remove all aquatic vegetation from bait containers when leaving the water.
Drain all water from boats and other watercraft, including bilges, livewells and motors, at the ramp site before leaving a water body. The only exception is livewells used to transport game fish or baitfish, and potable water and sewage water which must be disposed of properly.
Not transport live aquatic bait or aquatic vegetation into North Dakota. All water must be drained from watercraft upon entering the state.
Not dump bait into any North Dakota water.
Not introduce any fish into North Dakota water.
Not transport nongame fish (other than legal live baitfish) in water away from the water body in which they were taken.
In addition, with fall hunting seasons approaching, waterfowl hunters must clean duck boats, waders and other hunting equipment before leaving a water body, and are urged to run a brush through a hunting dog’s coat to remove any mud and seed.
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Boaters Urged To Take Steps To Prevent Spread of Disease and Aquatic Invasive Species
May 4, 2008
MADISON – Practice good hygiene.
That sound advice that mothers, teachers and doctors give to help prevent the spread of illness is equally important this year for anglers and boaters to help keep Wisconsin lakes and fish healthy, state invasive species experts say.
The discovery of hydrilla, a new invasive aquatic plant in Wisconsin waters, on top of last year’s detection of a new fish disease that’s deadly for a broad range of game fish, panfish and bait fish, underscore the need for boaters and anglers to take a few simple steps to prevent accidentally spreading these invaders to new lakes.
To make sure they are doing everything they can to prevent introducing VHS, zebra mussels, or Eurasian water-milfoil to a favorite lake or river, anglers and boaters should:
Buy bait fish only from a Wisconsin bait dealer.
Drain lake or river water from boat, live wells and bait containers before leaving a landing.
Do not move live fish away from any water, except for live minnows purchased from a Wisconsin bait dealer and kept under certain conditions.
Inspect your boat and trailer and remove all fish, mud and plant matter.
Such steps are critical because the main way that invasive species and diseases spread to new waters is aboard boating and fishing equipment,” says Jeff Bode, who leads Department of Natural Resources aquatic invasive species efforts. “While most boaters take pride in cleaning their rig, we need everyone to take the steps to assure they’re not part of the problem,” he says. “Do not leave a lake or river with water, plants or live fish in or on your boat, trailer or boating and fishing equipment.”
Water left in boat bilges, live wells and bait buckets can harbor young zebra mussels and the virus that causes VHS fish disease, as well as other invasive species. Eurasian water milfoil, an invasive plant that forms thick mats at the water’s surface, is easily snagged and carried on boat motors and trailers and a single fragment can colonize a new water.
And infected bait fish are the prime way that VHS fish disease, detected in Lake Michigan and the Lake Winnebago system waters in 2007, can be moved inland to new lakes and rivers.
State rules prohibit the movement of water, plants and live fish, with limited exceptions for purchased minnows kept under certain conditions. The VHS rules are in effect statewide to prevent the spread of VHS, and a 2001 law prevents people from launching a boat with any plants attached.
Conservation wardens and paid and volunteer watercraft inspectors will be out on the water during the fishing opener. Chief Conservation Warden Randy Stark says wardens will be working with the public to create a climate of compliance with rules to prevent the spread of VHS and aquatic invasive species through a combination of enforcement, education and local partnerships.
“We all love our lakes. Help us protect them – practice good boating hygiene,” Stark said.
Sportspeople are encouraged to report violations of VHS rules, invasive species rules, and other regulations to our hotline at 1-800-TIP-WDNR.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Julia Solomon (608) 267-3531; Christal Campbell (608) 264-8976, aquatic invasive species outreach coordinator
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