Shoreline Surveys
Survey work to locate and eradicate Spartina at Big Flats
began in March. The purpose of the early visit was to
take advantage of Spartina's ability to "overwinter",
relative to the indigenous vegetation which is washed
out after the fall die-off. The strategy worked well.
Several seedlings, hummocks and clones were found that
we were not visible through the surrounding vegetation
in the Spring and Summer.
Other survey work continued in May. A full effort started
at Kayak Point County Park and worked southward to Ebey
Slough and Big Flats. In addition to the early finds at
Big Flats, and the expected residuals on the inner bay
at Tulalip, a three-foot clone was found just east of
Priest Point. This was about 100 feet from a clone that
was removed two years prior.
All of the eastern shoreline from Kayak Point in Snohomish
County to Dash Point at the King Pierce County line, with
the exception of the industrial areas in Everett and Seattle,
were surveyed for the presence of Spartina. This included
the shores of Hat, Jetty and Smith Islands. Seedlings
and clones were found near Merrill and Ring Creek (near
the site of a previous infestation), and at Meadowdale
County Park.
The west shoreline of Vashon Island from Vashon Pt. to
Sunset Beach, and the eastern shoreline from Vashon Pt.
to the southern end of Maury Island were surveyed. Spartina
was found at KVI park, the site of a previous infestation.
That area of shoreline on Sinclair Inlet from Gorst to
Manchester State Park was searched on the report of a
possible sighting. While there appears to be potential
Spartina habitat, particularly between Gorst and Port
Orchard, no Spartina was located.
The results of the surveys and any newly found infestations
were reported to King County Noxious Weed Control, Snohomish
County Noxious Weed Control, Adopt a Beach, and the Washington
State Department of Agriculture Spartina Program.
Purple Loosestrife Survey
The Tulalip Spartina Control Program was authorized to
charge Purple Loosestrife control work to its budget by
BIA Noxious Weed Control, which is our funding source
this year. This beautiful magenta flowing plant has invaded
nearly every county in Washington State. Our survey began
on reported sightings in Snohomish County.
The major lakes on the Reservation were inspected in
late August. The survey was made using an inflatable raft
and rowing around each lake. Several drainage impounds
along Tulalip Creek as well as Weallup Lake, Mary Shelton
Lake, John Sam Lake and Ross Lake were surveyed. No purple
loosestrife was found.
Weed Control
Spartina control work began in March at Big Flats. This
area received two treatments consisting of either mowing
or excavation. The inner bay at Tulalip received two treatments
as well. The clone east of Priest Point was excavated.
All affected areas on Reservation were scheduled to receive
one last treatment in September.
Public Education Opportunities
Tulalip Staff presented a brief lecture on the potential
threat Spartina poses to the estuarine environment the
Warm Beach Christian Camp. Students were taken on field
trips to the Warm Beach estuary to learn how to identify
Spartina. Approximately 100 students, parents and staff
participated in the field experiences.
Tulalip staff also took every opportunity to distribute
Spartina educational brochures at many meetings and conferences.
Brochures were also made available at the Tulalip Tribes
Fisheries office.
Training
The Spartina coordinator attended training for both Arcview
in September and Arcinfo in December. These two very powerful
computer programs will be extremely useful in cataloging
Spartina infestations and possibly correlating with other
environmental factors. The coordinator also attended training
on green crab identification and handling. The invasive
green crab was recently documented in Willapa Bay, and
it is anticipated to eventually reach the waters of Puget
Sound. Recent information indicates many green crab sightings
have been in Spartina habitat. Spartina surveys will now
include efforts to locate green crab.
Interagency Cooperation
The Tulalip Tribes Spartina Control Program once again
worked with several other local control agencies and tribes.
Tulalip staff attended monthly North Puget Sound Spartina
Coordinator's meetings which included staff from the Swinomish
Tribe, Triangle Cove Spartina Task Force, Adopt a Beach,
Washington Water Trails, Island, Skagit and Snohomish
Countys' Weed Control, WSDA, and Washington State Department
of Fish and Wildlife. Staff attended this year's annual
Spartina Bash sponsored by Dr. Dave Milne at The Evergreen
State College.
The Tulalip Program reported regularly to Adopt a Beach
with its survey results. Data was utilized to coordinate
removal of newly found infestations.
The Tulalip Tribes were in part responsible for successfully
lobbying the return of the Marshmaster mower to Triangle
Cove on Camano Island. The Tulalip program provided a
truck and driver to transport the Marshmaster back to
Camano Island from Willapa Bay.
The Tulalip Spartina Control Program also made a contribution
of $200 to the Triangle Cove Spartina Task Force for the
purchase of herbicide and surfactant for their control
efforts. Triangle Cove is generally considered the seed
source for the Tulalip infestations.
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