Lake Management NJ, NY Wetland Restoration, New Jersey Lake Management, Wetland Restoration New York, PA Lake Management, Pennsylvania Wetland Restoration, Allied Biological, NJ, New Jersey, PA, Pennsylvania, New York, NY.

CAPE MAY POINT STATE PARK & MEADOW RESERVE
Cape May County, New Jersey
Beth Brandreth, US Army Corp of Engineers

STATUS
2003-Present

GOALS
Eradicate the invasive aquatic species, Phragmites australis, in order to restore a balanced and diverse coastal wetland ecosystem.

PROJECT STATEMENT
This restoration project is a collaborative effort by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, Cape May Point State Park, The Nature Conservancy and local municipalities to protect a rare coastal freshwater wetland system located in Cape May, New Jersey. The first phase of the project was the elimination of 95 acres of Phragmites australis in portions of Cape May Point State Park and The Nature Conservancy’s Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge. Eradication of this invasive species would be accomplished through herbicide application, mowing of treated plants and subsequent replanting of the areas with native vegetation.

In 2003, Allied Biological participated in public meetings to address concerns regarding the project and assisted in making suitable adaptations to the plan to satisfy local town and school requirements. Since then, Allied Biological has played a major role in the restoration effort by performing herbicide applications to phragmites using specially modified amphibious, all-terrain vehicles and where necessary, hand-held equipment to avoid protected and planted species. Starting in 2006, Allied Biological became responsible for the mowing of dead canes in order to further encourage the re-establishment of native plant species, in addition to spraying new areas or persistent re-growth.

With the density and quantity of phragmites significantly reduced and re-growth steadily declining each year, this restoration continues to move forward. To date, the installation of over 80,000 new wetland plants and considerable natural re-vegetation of the area have been realized. In addition, conservationists have observed a substantial increase in the abundance of shorebirds and the diversity of foraging birds since the start of the project.

SERVICES
Chemical Vegetation Control
Mechanical Vegetation Control
NJDEP Permitting

HYPONEX WETLAND MITIGATION AREA
Sussex County, NJ
Tom Novotny, The Scotts Company

STATUS
1999-2007

GOAL
To encourage the re-establishment of native wetland vegetation through the eradication of invasive species.

PROJECT STATEMENT
In 1999, Allied Biological became involved in an extensive wetland restoration project located on the 1,286 acre Hyponex Mitigation Site. Contracted by The Scotts Company, Allied Biological was responsible for the removal of a contiguous stand of Phragmites australis occupying over 100 acres of the 200+ acre restoration area: a floodplain along the Paulinskill River. A multi-year program was developed that consisted of herbicide applications and the removal of dead biomass by cutting/mulching. Allied Biological coordinated and supervised an initial aerial herbicide application, in addition to performing subsequent ground treatments and cutting with specialized amphibious, all-terrain vehicles.

Since the project’s start, phragmites regrowth has steadily declined resulting in a dramatic restoration of the floodplain. The 120 acre target area that was once overrun with nearly a 100% phragmites monoculture now supports extensive native vegetation and less than 22 acres of light density phragmites. This mitigation effort has ensured that the site will continue to support a variety of wetland vegetation and wildlife including some species that are endangered. Recognizing it as a unique and valuable resource, NJ Department of Environmental Protection purchased 1,038 acres of this wetland site in 2005 to complement their existing preservation projects along the Paulinskill River. It is now a protected wetland and wildlife management area that provides hunting, fishing and birding opportunities.

SERVICES
Chemical Vegetation Control
Mechanical Vegetation Control
NJDEP Permitting

WERTHEIM NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Suffolk County, New York
Alex Chmielewski, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Ray Whittemore, Ducks Unlimited (Partner)

STATUS
2001-Present

GOALS
Improve Refuge wetland ecosystems by controlling invasive plant species.

PROJECT STATEMENT
In 2001, Allied Biological was awarded a contract by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to conduct a wetland vegetation management program for Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge. The focus of the program was to control the encroachment of Phragmites australis into areas of native vegetation, thus allowing desirable vegetation to flourish and provide for the needs of marsh-dependent wildlife.

The program consisted of herbicide treatments to dense stands of 12+ feet tall Phragmites followed by mowing or burning of dead canes in 28 acres of freshwater Refuge impoundments. Allied Biological employed low ground pressure, amphibious equipment to minimize disturbance while performing herbicide applications and mowing. The successful abatement of Phragmites in the freshwater impoundments allowed for the expansion of the program in 2004. This expansion included management of two sensitive tidal feeder streams of the Carmens River. Treatments were mainly conducted using amphibious spray equipment but at the native desirable plants and Phragmites interface, wicking methods were employed.

Over a four-year period, Phragmites that once covered approximately 90% these target areas was reduced to 10% and native wetland vegetation had re-established itself covering almost 60% of the site. Refuge managers also noted improvement in the diversity and quantity of shorebirds, wading birds and waterfowl with the reduction of Phragmites. With a proven wetland management program in place, an additional 53.5 acres of the Refuge were incorporated into the program in 2006 in partnership with Ducks Unlimited. To date, nearly 43 acres have been restored to meet the goals of this program. Allied Biological continues to monitor this site and assess future management needs.