Aquatic plant species invading River Raisin
From the Monroe News
By: Charles Slat story updated
September 06. 2007
Call it "Battle of the River Raisin II."
Unlike the epic War of 1812 battle between troops, this time area officials
are hoping to vanquish the flowering rush, an aquatic invader that's
attacking the River Raisin.
The river is clogged with the fast-spreading plants, which first took root
in the river about five years ago.
"They started out slow and every year, they get worse and worse," said
Daniel T. Stefanski, Monroe County drain commissioner.
Part of the problem is the pools of still water favorable to rush growth
form behind the series of dams on the river's route through the city. An
increasing load of sediment and organics in the river from fertilizer runoff
and other sources provide food.
"We've given the rush a nice environment that it likes and now we're
feeding them," Mr. Stefanski said. "We've made conditions that are just
right for these doggone rush."
They've become so thick in spots that some residents have complained about
the appearance of the river.
Mr. Stefanski has consulted with the Michigan Department of Natural
Resources and Department of Environmental Quality. He's suggesting that dam
gates be opened to lower the water level in the river but increase the flow.
Then a volunteer army would be recruited to wage war against the
plant.
Workers would cut the rush just above the roots and daub a herbicide on the
cut stalks to kill them.
Monroe Mayor C.D. (Al) Cappuccilli warned city council members and the
community that they might be enlisted in the effort to eradicate the
rush.
"It's a very serious problem," he said. "There have got to be billions and
billions of them.
"He's going to be looking for umpteen volunteers to help in this particular
area," he said.
Mr. Stefanski envisions a pilot program, perhaps in the area of Sister's
Island, to see how effective the eradication effort might be. A public
meeting will be scheduled in the future to discuss the problem and recruit
citizens and community groups.
Eliminating the plant is a tricky proposition because it not only spreads
from the seeds on its flower, root pieces can break off and form new plants.
" just pulling out the plants, you could make 10 or 15 times more," Mr.
Stefanski said.
Movements of water and ice can take the plant into new areas. Muskrats also
sometimes use parts of the plant to build their homes and might help it
spread.
Mr. Stefanski now is trying to determine what permits he might have to
obtain to open the dam gates and a public meeting has yet to be scheduled.
But he's been told by fish biologists that lowering river water levels and
increasing flow would enhance the fish and wildlife habitat.
Mr. Stefanski, who also serves on the city's Commission on the Environment,
the River Raisin Watershed Council and River Raisin Remedial Action Plan
advisory committee, said the invasive plant could take over the river
eventually if not attacked.
"We can not do anything, let nature take its course and we can have nice
green rivers from now on," he said.
More information about the problem and plans to address it may be obtained
from Mr. Stefanski at 240-3110.
