Bickle Phragmites Management Along Delaware Estuary 060415

Restoration of Phragmites Dominated Marshes Along the Delaware Estuary

Presented by: Gary Bickle, Sr. Vice PresidentAKRF, Environmental and Planning Consultants

Note: The presentation provided herein is provided for informational purposes only. Any use or replication of the images, information, or data provided herein without the express written consent of the author is prohibited.

EEP Sites

NEW JERSEY:

5 Wetland Restoration Sites

1 Preservation Site

4 Fish Ladders

DELAWARE:

2 PSEG Wetland Restoration Sites

3 DNREC Wetland Restoration Sites

10 Fish Ladders

Phragmites

Executive Order 13112 identifies Phragmites as an invasive species

In the last several decades, there has been a rapid expansion of its distribution and coverage within tidal wetlands along the coastline of the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states

Ecological Effects of Phragmites

Reduces or eliminates access to marsh areas for forage fish and invertebrates

Reduces the amount of food available through the detrital pathway

Reduces the diversity of the aquatic ecosystem Lowers the habitat value for birds and wildlife Interferes with nutrient cycling processes, binding

limiting nutrients in forms unavailable to other plants

1951 Phragmites Coverage

Figure 11

1951 Phragmites Coverage

1962 Phragmites Coverage

Figure 12

1962 Phragmites Coverage

1972 Phragmites Coverage

Figure 13

1972 Phragmites Coverage

Pre Treatment Conditions

Alloway Creek Watershed Restoration Site

Summary of Treatments Evaluated

Grading limited because of size of properties

Microtopography

Sulfur addition soil chemistry change

Mowing

Grazing

Various herbicide application methods

Regulatory Requirements for Treatment Alternatives

NJDEP Land Use Regulation Program Tidal Wetlands Aquatic Pesticide Waterfront Development

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 404 Program U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Marine Fisheries U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Local Site Plan Approval Soil Conservation District

Initial Aerial Application of Glyphosate-based Herbicide - 1996

Note: Aerial application of herbicide is not being considered for use at Piermont Marsh.

Ground Application of Herbicide

Burning Operations

Note: Prescribed fire is not being considered for use at Piermont Marsh.

Prescribed Burn Results

Note: Prescribed fire is not being considered for use at Piermont Marsh.

Test Area Program

Implemented in 1999 following initial 1996-1997 Phragmites control efforts

Objective to determine whether alternative treatments alone or in combination with herbicide application were more effective in control than continued herbicide application alone

Implemented to provide as many different combinations as possible

Vegetative response to treatments based on thorough statistical evaluation of field data and remote sensing data

Over 80 various combinations evaluated

Test Area Treatments

Single mowing

Multiple Mowing

Microtopographic Alterations

Herbicide Timing

Grazing

Combinations of the Above

Rigorous monitoring

Microtopography Modifications

Phragmites Mowing

Wicking Application

Grazing

Test Area Treatments

Test Area Treatments

Test Area Treatments

Test Area Conclusions

Phragmites coverage significantly reduced within areas receiving glyphosate-based herbicide treatment

Mechanical/biological treatments did not result in measurable reduction of Phragmites

No combination of treatments resulted in better control than herbicide alone

ACW TA-43 1999

ACW TA-43 2001

ACW TA-43 2003

Selected Herbicide Effects

1996 Vegetation Coverage Mapping

Figure 4Figure 7

1996 Vegetation Coverage Mapping

2003 Vegetation Coverage Mapping

Phragmites-dominated Restoration Sites

Phragmites-dominated Restoration Sites

Phragmites-dominated Restoration Sites

Restoration of Phragmites Dominated Marshes Along the Delaware EstuarySlide Number 2PhragmitesEcological Effects of Phragmites1951 Phragmites Coverage1962 Phragmites Coverage1972 Phragmites CoveragePre Treatment ConditionsAlloway Creek Watershed Restoration SiteSummary of Treatments EvaluatedRegulatory Requirements for Treatment Alternatives Initial Aerial Application of Glyphosate-based Herbicide - 1996Ground Application of HerbicideBurning OperationsPrescribed Burn ResultsTest Area ProgramTest Area TreatmentsMicrotopography ModificationsPhragmites MowingWicking Application GrazingTest Area TreatmentsTest Area TreatmentsTest Area TreatmentsTest Area ConclusionsSlide Number 26Slide Number 27Slide Number 28Selected Herbicide Effects1996 Vegetation Coverage Mapping2003 Vegetation Coverage MappingPhragmites-dominated Restoration SitesPhragmites-dominated Restoration SitesPhragmites-dominated Restoration Sites