Carl Wodrich, of the Indiana DNR, shares information about the Lake George Wetlands Restoration Project
What is the geographic scope of the project?
Approximately 105 acres around/near Lake George and Lake George Branch of the Indiana Harbor Canal.
What type of project is this?
- Direct management
Why is Phragmites an issue in your area?
It is choking out native wetland plants and does not provide adequate habitat for resident and migratory birds and other wildlife.
What is your organization’s approach to invasive Phragmites management?
Helicopter Herbicide Application (August 25, 2013)
This project involves 2 herbicide applications, once each year, between August 1st and September 30th in 2013 and 2014. In these areas, burning is not an option due to close proximity to petroleum pipelines, BP Whitiing refinery, the Indiana Toll Road and US 41, so mowing each winter after herbicide application will take place. Seeding and planting of native plant plugs will take place in the late winter and spring of 2015.
Who are your partners in this effort?
Indiana Department of Natural Resources, USFWS, National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, Indiana Natural Resource Trustees, Indiana Department of Environmental Management, Hammond Port Authority, BP Whiting Refinery, Exxon Mobil, Valero (Homer Tree Service / Homer Environmental is IDNR’s contractor performing the work).
What are the funding sources?
USFWS Great Lakes Coastal (GLRI), Sustain our Great Lakes, NRDA Restoration Funds.
What are the goals and objectives for the project?
Removal of non-native invasive plants, reseeding and revegetation of native species to ultimately improve habitat within the Grand Calumet River Area of Concern for fish and wildlife and increase biodiversity of these wetland areas.
What type of land does your project target?
Public and private land.
Do you monitor the areas that you manage? If so, what does that entail?
We have a contractor that will be performing botanical surveys for monitoring during this project (FQA).
For more information contact:
Carl Wodrich
Indiana Department of Natural Resources
402 W. Washington Street. W261
Indianapolis, IN 46204
United States
(317)232-1291