Kevin Proulx sprays a stand on the north shore

Thanks to the good preparation by our LCA volunteer teams, our contractor has completed spraying more than five acres of phragmites stands on the lake, the first round of treatment needed to stop the spread of this very invasive grass. The contractors said the blue flags and GPS coordinates that the volunteers provided made finding and treating the 200-plus stands very simple and efficient.

The next step for shoreline property owners is to harvest the seed heads, cut down the dead stalks and haul them off for burning. The herbicide and associated chemicals used in the spraying take three weeks to achieve maximum effectiveness. Spraying was done the week of Sept. 13th, so the cutting should be held off until the week of Oct. 4.

We had hoped to be able to organize teams of volunteers to help with the cutting and carting off, but after looking at all the sites, we figured it was going to be too massive a chore if the shoreline owners didn't take primary responsibility. If you really need help, please drop a line to info@lakecharlevoix.org and we'll try to get some assistance organized.

Mike Sciotti places a stake to mark phragmites that have been sprayed

According to LCA vice-president Dan Mishler, the contractor, Aquatic Nuisance Plant Control of West Branch, treated all the identified stands of phragmites where the land owners had given LCA written permission. Mishler, LCA President Sue Costa and Treasurer Mike Dow led the association's effort to stop this invasive grass before it can take over vast swatches of wetlands as it has done in many Great Lakes locations.

If you have phragmites, don't be discouraged if the plants don't seem to die immediately. The chemicals take three weeks to penetrate down into the ends of the roots, where they are most effective in preventing further spread of the grass.

We expect that we'll have to spray again next fall and in 2011 as well to bring the problem under full control. Let us know if you have new plants growing next spring and we'll put them on our list for treatment.