The 2004 segment of Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge's invasive species control project was completed on September 11. It consisted of the aerial application of a an herbicide on 400 acres covered by phragmites reed, an exotic species that can dominate vegetation in extensive marshland areas. The application by helicopter occurred in four impoundments, the marsh "fingers,? and an 80 acre wildland urban interface area in North Bay marshes, all on Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, and on two impoundments, the bayshore, and the Spratts Cove impoundment vicinity on adjacent False Cape State Park.

Back Bay refuge began the control work this year under a cooperative agreement with Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. The agreement allowed the transfer of funds from the Service to the commonwealth to cover the cost of phragmites control work at False Cape State Park. Under the agreement, the Service and the commonwealth shared the cost of spraying to treat the maximum number of acres. Three thousand dollars was applied to the cooperative agreement and $7,000 paid for the aerial application costs. Cost to the Service was $10,000; total project cost was $20,000.

This joint control project is of special importance because it continues the Service's cooperative effort with the Commonwealth of Virginia to restore and manage 180 acres of the False Cape State Park Barbour's Hill Wetlands Management Area under the refuge's marsh and water management plan. Under a memorandum of understanding with the department, the refuge manages the two park impoundments while the commonwealth is in the process of completing two habitat improvement projects. The park has completed the first project, a major restoration of the two impoundments that included replacing two water control structures and rehabilitating two dikes. The second project consists of ongoing phragmites control within the impoundments.

The park was a participant in a 2004 phragmites control project sponsored by the Service's Northeast Region and will continue cooperating with the Service in our invasive species control efforts. Support of this control project will emphasize the Service's commitment to the commonwealth under the memo of understanding, restore waterbird habitat and ensure proper habitat management. In addition, the staffs of the park and the refuge will conduct late fall prescribed burns to reduce wildfire fuels on treated phragmites stands and will monitor future moist soil management efforts.

NORTHEAST REGION, U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE -- Conserving the Nature of the Northeast