RRWC, Michigan

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.