Virginia Coastal Program: 2003 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary
Project Task:
FY2003 Task 12.09
Grantee:
Department of Conservation & Recreation-Division of Natural Heritage
Project Title:
Seaside Heritage Program: Phragmites Control on the Seaside of Virginia’s Eastern Shore
Project Description as Proposed:
The Eastern Shore
Seaside is currently experiencing a rapid invasion by non-native
Phragmites. Work during the first three years of the Seaside Heritage
Program has determined that at least 2,024 acres of Phragmites now
occur on the Seaside, with about two-thirds along the mainland-lagoon
ecotone and the remainder on the barrier islands. Indications are
that during the last decade (mid-1990’s to 2004) the amount
of Phragmites on the Seaside has almost doubled. The 2004 census
and mapping of Seaside Phragmites has established a sound basis
for prioritized control treatments and will serve as a benchmark
for future assessments of Phragmites spread and control measure
effectiveness. These maps will also assist private landowners in
assessing the extent of Phragmites on their property. FY 2003 Task
12.09 will implement control measures for patches of non-native
invasive Phragmites at Parramore Island Natural Area Preserve.
Over 200 acres of Phragmites currently occupies wetland habitats
at Parramore Island, much of this area invaded over the last 2-3
years following recent disturbance by wildfire and hurricanes. Control
treatments using Habitat herbicide in late summer 2005 will be targeted
at eliminating up to 95% of the Parramore Island Phragmites invasion.
Funding under Task 12.09 will cover approximately half of the total
control costs.
Federal Funding:
$20,000
Project Contact:
Richard K Myers, (804) 371-6204, rkmyers@dcr.state.va.us
Project Status:
Grant Closed
Final Product Received:
Project Summary Provided by Grantee:
This project had the objective of applying aerial control treatments using Habitat herbicide to Phragmites stands that have invaded and displaced natural communities on Parramore Island Natural Area Preserve on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Parramore Island is a 7,000-acre barrier island owned by The Nature Conservancy which has been dedicated as a state natural area preserve. As such, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation assists The Conservancy in managing the resources at this location. In August 2005, a contracted aerial applicator used a helicopter and spray boom to apply Habitat herbicide to 220 acres of Phragmites on Parramore Island. While effectiveness of these treatments will not be known for certain until summer of 2006, it is expected that good control was achieved and that Phragmites has been drastically reduced at this highly significant conservation site. As a result, native plant and animal species should begin returning to marshes and shrub wetlands along the edges and within swales of Parramore Island. For more complete descriptions of this and related project components, see DCR’s report on Year 3 of the Seaside Heritage Program entitled “Management, Monitoring, and Landowner Workshops to Address the Phragmites Invasion on the Eastern Shore Seaside of Virginia” by Myers et al.
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Disclaimer: This project summary provides the federal dollars initially awarded to the grantee. Due to underexpenditure or reprogramming of grant funds, this figure may change. For more information on the allocation of coastal grant funds, please contact Laura McKay, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4323 or email: Laura.McKay@deq.virginia.gov
A more detailed Scope of Work for this project is available. Please direct your request for a copy to Virginia.Witmer@deq.virginia.gov
