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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMonitoring report 2025 2025 ANNUAL MONITORING REPORT FOR YARMOUTH CONSERVATION COMMISSION DEP File Number: SE 83-2446 Date of Issuance: 9/10/2024 Date of Expiration: 9/10/2027 (9/10/2029 with Permit Extension Act) Date of Assessment: 11/4/2025 Project Address: 140 Baxter Ave, 31 Grist Mill Ln, and the end of Grist Mill Ln Assessment Period: November 2024 – October 2025 Project Documents: Site Plan ~ Showing Existing Conditions by Ryder & Wilcox, dated 5/21/2024 Restoration Plan by Crawford Land Management, dated 8/22/2024 Land Management Plan & Project Narrative by Crawford Land Management, dated 8/22/2024 Project Overview This permit approved the restoration of a substantial area of invasive common reed (Phragmites australis) in the salt marsh, as well as the restoration of upland naturalized areas dominated by other invasive species. This permit approved work at 140 Baxter Avenue and 31 Grist Mill Lane; a separate RDA was filed for a small portion of Phragmites at the end of Grist Mill Lane, for which a negative determination was issued. This report assesses project progress at all approved properties for work approved under both the NOI and RDA applications. Project Activities Completed to Date During this assessment period, CLM has conducted five separate maintenance visits. In late January 2025, the dead stalks of phragmites and knotweed were mowed down to help facilitate treatment later in the growing season. In late July, the maintenance crew returned to begin treating any phragmites that had started to regrow. In early August and late September, efforts were focused on mowing any tall phragmites that had regrown down to a height suitable for foliar application. Then, in early October, a foliar application of herbicide targeted all remaining instances of invasive species. These included primarily common reed (Phragmites australis) and Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica). A selective foliar application was used rather than direct stem applications since stalks were small and had regrown sporadically, making selective foliar treatments much more efficient. Assessment of Current Site Conditions Invasive Species Management During this site visit, it was estimated that control of invasive species throughout all areas at the project site had reached roughly 70-80%. The two most prevalent invasive species present at the site are phragmites (Phragmites australis) and Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica). There are two separate areas of invasive species management at 31 Grist Mill Ln. The 350 sq ft upland restoration area has reached approximately 80-90% control of phragmites. The 700 sq ft phragmites management area that is at the eastern edge of the property has reached roughly 80-90% control as well. This property has been effectively treated using a combination of cut and wipe and foliar herbicide applications and little to no phragmites remain in these sections. The main location where phragmites are still present is in the 9,350 sq ft phragmites management area that is located at the eastern side of 140 Baxter Ave. Control in this section has only reached about 70%. At the time of this assessment, most stalks were small and will be easily managed through repeated foliar applications with wetland approved herbicide. The 2,900 sq ft upland restoration area at 140 Baxter Ave has reached approximately 70-80% control, with only sporadic instances of phragmites remaining. Japanese knotweed was mostly limited to this area. Management of Phragmites and knotweed was the priority over the past assessment period due to the aggressive nature of these species, and the upland restoration area will be a greater focus of maintenance activities over the next growing season. A combination of stem injection and foliar applications with wetland approved herbicide have proven effective to control Japanese knotweed and phragmites in this area. This upland restoration area has very few instances of state-listed invasives; however other nuisance vegetation is present. Brambles (Rubus sp.) have regrown along the eastern edge of the lawn and should be easily controlled through either repeated foliar treatments or mowing and treating any regrowth with wetland approved herbicide. Anticipated Activities to be Completed Next Monitoring Period • Monitor restoration area and perform maintenance cut and wipe treatments or hand weed invasive, non-native, and aggressive species that have germinated from existing seed bank or re-sprouted from roots after removal (May – October) • Treat any small re-growth of phragmites and Japanese knotweed using low-volume foliar spray with an approved glyphosate-based herbicide (May – October) • Seed exposed soils with the approved restoration mix. • Restoration planting and installation of temporary, above-ground irrigation to begin once invasive species have reached at least 80% control. Recommendations for any Changes in Land Management Techniques No recommendations for any changes in land management techniques to note currently. Unexpected or Arbitrary Changes to the Project Area No unexpected or arbitrary changes to the project area. Representative Project Area Photographs Before and after mowing previously treated phragmites in the invasive management area at 140 Baxter Ave. January 2025. Facing west towards Baxter Ave, some phragmites have re-grown during a late summer maintenance visit. July 2025. Facing the residence at 31 Grist Mill Ln, more phragmites have re-grown but remain small. July 2025. Another northeast view with the upland restoration area at 140 Baxter Ave in the foreground. November 2025. Upland restoration area at 31 Grist Mill Ln. November 2025. Dead phragmites in the small RDA area across the street from 31 Grist Mill Ln. November 2025.