This was the first year that Phragmites control occurred on Refuge islands within Back Bay.  Past efforts had been focused on the barrier island’s impoundment complex and adjacent Bayshore wetlands.  With the high-priority impoundment complex’s Phragmites stands disappearing, control efforts are progressing westward.  Remaining small patches of Phragmites on the barrier island will be “mopped up” by certified, back-pack spraying Refuge biologists and trained volunteers, using the same Glyphosate/LI700 spray solution.

This was the second year of the joint Regions 4 and 5 Invasive Plant Control Program.  It provided an “Inter-regional Helicopter Spray Team” to treat invasive plants on Region 4 and 5 refuges.  The Region 5 effort was spear-headed by Regional Fire Ecologist Laura Mitchell.

This joint control project is of special importance because it is a continuation of the Service's cooperative effort with the Commonwealth of Virginia to restore and manage approximately 180 acres of the False Cape State Park “Barbour’s Hill Wetlands Management Area” as part of the Refuge's Marsh and Water Management Plan.  Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Virginia, the Refuge manages the two Park impoundments since 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 is on-going Phragmites control within the impoundments.  The Park was a participant in the Region 5 sponsored FY 2004 Phragmites Control project, and wishes to continue cooperating with the Service in our invasive species control efforts.  Support of this control project will emphasize the Service's commitment to the MOU, restore waterbird habitat, and ensure proper habitat management.  In addition, the staffs of the Park and the Refuge continue working together to conduct late fall prescribed burns on treated Phragmites stands, and monitor future moist soil management efforts.