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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRDA narrative 2023- Phragmites1 Invasive Species Management Town of Yarmouth 2024-2027 Project Location, Assessor Map/Lot: Meadowbrook Conservation Area (49/227 and 49/198.2), Run Pond (34/238), Taylor Bray Farm (151/24.1), 86 Alms House Road (140/41), and Brad Hall Blueberry Patch (41/49) OBJECTIVE. State the purpose of the project. To restore a degraded saltmarsh, remove the invasive species by treating phragmites, enhance scenic views, improve wildlife habitat, encourage outdoor recreation, and promote a balanced and healthy lifestyle. Parcels were prioritized for their open space, recreation, tourism, and conservation value to the Town and a three-year management program was developed to treat and remove invasive vegetation. Work will follow Best Management Practices and include long-term monitoring and re- treatment of Phragmites as needed. Mechanical removal can consist of mowing with low ground pressure tracked vehicles with ground pressures of less than 4 p.s.i. or equivalent during winter months paired with herbicide application in the late summer. The contractor shall hold a valid Massachusetts herbicide applicator’s license, a copy of which shall be provided prior to execution of a contract. PROJECT SUMMARY. Include statement of community needs, how the project meets the criteria for funding, and how the project benefits the Town of Yarmouth. Describe the site, including zoning, number of acres, natural features of the property, and how the property is being used now and its proposed use. The open space and recreation plan update in 2023 identified invasive species management as a high priority item (Goal 1, Objective 1B) in managing town owned open space. This project fits directly into that goal. Mechanical removal and herbicide treatment of invasive vegetation at multiple Town owned parcels would benefit the town by opening previously scenic viewsheds and improving environmental quality. All properties include salt marsh and estuarine habitats, transitioning to an upland area. Boardwalk improvements have been added to both Taylor Bray Farm and Meadowbrook to encourage access to these highly valuable and beautiful environmental assets. Annual treatments will occur for 3 years, and annual monitoring will take place. Work would commence late summer/early fall 2023 or 2024 depending on funding, permitting, and consultant acquisition. 2 Run/Crowell Pond A new 3-year treatment program is proposed at Run/Crowell Pond in two sites. Management is proposed in an approximately 15,000 square foot area on Run Pond Road in the upper reaches of the pond. The second site is located across the street from Bass River Beach near a shell parking area historically used by the hotels on South Shore drive but is owned by the Town. This additional roughly8,500 square foot area along South Shore Drive is also proposed for management. Phragmites is present in both these locations and is outcompeting native vegetation. Restoration of the native salt marsh species may help improve the area for wildlife habitat and ecosystem functions. This area has been a target site for culvert enlargement to improve tidal flushing in the past, but projects have never been initiated. If this replacement is completed in the future, the higher salinity water coming in from the Nantucket Sound could help keep future phragmites populations under control. View from Run Pond Road 2023 View from South Shore Drive 2023 3 Meadowbrook Conservation Area West Yarmouth’s Meadowbrook Conservation Area has a 310-foot handicapped-accessible boardwalk, pond, and surrounding area vistas. The boardwalk passes through salt marsh and an ancient Atlantic white cedar swamp fronting Swan Pond’s shore. Vegetation removal and treatment was carried out in a 7,100 square foot area on one side of the boardwalk in 2013 (marked in blue) and a year of follow up treatment was done in 2014. Additional treatment was completed in a larger area on both sides of the boardwalk in 2018-2020 (area shown in red). Since that time, the invasive phragmites have returned, blocking the view from the eastern side of the boardwalk and encroaching from the north. Managing approximately 35,000 square feet of phragmites and invasive species is proposed. The opportunity for replanting bare areas of marsh will be proposed as a supplemental project if the areas do not recolonize on their own as in the past. View from end of boardwalk 2023 View from start of boardwalk looking southeast. 4 Taylor Bray Farm This project began in 2015 and addressed the restoration of a degraded marsh. The site had an abundance of native species that were being outcompeted by invasive phragmites. The Town completed a three-year management program cutting and treating the phragmites vegetation (shown in red). This site is in excellent condition, with many native plants recolonizing. A small additional area will be proposed for treatment (shown in yellow) to increase the vista and widen the healthy marsh habitat alongside the boardwalk. Pre/post treatment 2013-2019 Proposed treatment area looking from the lawn 2023 5 Alms House Road Phragmites Management Area - Phragmites treatment was done in 2017-2021 to control an isolated population and retain the vista along the salt marsh. This site requires spot treatment to address re- sprouting phragmites in small areas. Upland Management Area - This site was managed in 2017-2021 with mechanical and herbicide treatments of invasive and nuisance vegetation. Native grasses and ground covers are re-colonizing the area, and to maintain control of invasive herbaceous plants the understory requires annual mowing and spot treatments. Area for spot treatment 2023 Upland management area Phragmites management area 6 Brad Hall Blueberry Patch This is a publicly accessible blueberry patch that has recently undergone some adaptive management to improve the production of the blueberries onsite and remove nuisance vegetation including poison ivy. Phragmites are starting to encroach on the eastern and southern sides and threatening to outcompete the blueberries at this site. The proposed management area is approximately 15,000 square feet and will require a new 3 year management plan.