St. Thomas Plan of Action Phrag Free City 2020

Report to St. Thomas City Council January 18, 2016 PHRAGMITES CONTROL COMMITTEE Prepared for St. Thomas City Council January 18, 2016 by David Collins, Chair, St. Thomas Phragmites Control Committee

PHASE 1 Lake Margaret Watershed Year 1(2014) - Plan created by Janice Gilbert MNRF permits obtained Budget provided Eradication programme implemented Year 2(2015) - Visual check and eradicate as necessary Year 3(2016) – Add Pinafore Lake and Osprey SWMP Visual check and eradicate as necessary

September 2014 May 2015 September 10, 2014 Initial eradication October 12, 2014 Dead Phragmites stalks cut, removed and burned off site. Virtually no Phragmites re-growth

September 2014 May 2015

SUCCESSFUL ERADICATION IN 2015 South Shore regrowth Turtle Pond regrowth July 2015 Eradication date September 4, weeks later October 9, 2015

Erosion along the north shore of Lake Margaret In order to curb further erosion and protect the shoreline, a programme to plant with native vegetation is being examined.

PHASE 2 Balance of City Mapped (Fall 2014 and updated Fall 2015) Year 1 – Plan created by committee Budget provided by Council Permits through Pesticide Act and Ontario Regulation 63/09 Eradication programme implemented Severe fire hazard areas eradicated as priority one Selected road corridors, ditches sprayed Years 2 to 5 - Visual check and eradicate as necessary Eradicate identified cells in the City to limit of budget

Hydro Corridor(Burwell to Highbury) – Deemed severe fire hazard by Fire Chief Eradication date September 2, weeks later October 9, 2015

ROAD CORRIDOR SUCCESS Before treatment on left Eradication date September 4, 2015 After treatment on right October 9, 2015 South Edgeware and Burwell Intersection Southdale between Lake Margaret Trail and Fairview Faith Baptist Entrance Fairview north of Southdale

Blue Star indicates areas eradicated in Observation would indicate a high degree of success was obtained.

ONTARIO MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION Indirect, non-requested help, was provided in September 2015 when Green Stream (Burlington) was contracted to eradicate the road corridors in both directions along Highway 4 south of 401 to Talbotville and then continue on Highway 3 to Aylmer. From observation, it would appear that this eradication was successful.

Green star indicates sections of Highway 3 traversing St. Thomas which were eradicated by Green Stream (Burlington) under contract to the Ministry of Transportation. Observation would indicate a high degree of success was obtained.

COOPERATIVE SUPPORT FROM KETTLE CREEK CONSERVATION AUTHORITY KCCA will assess and present to their Board an eradication programme to be conducted on their lands contained within the boundaries of the City of St.Thomas.

Kettle Creek Conservation Authority lands within the City of St. Thomas are located inside the red lines. Phragmites cell identified by resident and reported.

ST. THOMAS FIRE SERVICES Chief Broadbent will once again be asked to assist by identifying areas of concern which may in fact be deemed as a fire hazard so the committee may take action to protect affected properties.

BUDGETARY CONSIDERATIONS 2014 Phase 1 (Lake Margaret Watershed) Year 1 Allocated budget of $11, not exceeded 2015 Phase 1 (Lake Margaret Watershed) Year 2 Phase 2 (Balance of City) Year 1 Allocated budget of $13, not exceeded 2016 Phase 1 Year 3 Phase 2 Year 2 Budget request is $13, SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION

ERADICATION PLAN FOR 2016 Observe and spot eradicate all previous areas as necessary. Tackle as many of the remaining Phragmites cells within the City as the budget allows. First two weeks of August 2016 booked with Dover Agri Serve. Remap City in fall. Design plan for 2017 eradication.

Red Line indicates cells targeted for 2016 eradication, dependent on costs.

AREAS OF CONCERN Rail Corridors Private Property Inaccessible woodland trails

SPEADING THE ST. THOMAS PLAN Presentations to the following groups: January 2015 – Fire Co-ordinators of Ontario February 2015 – Elgin County Council February 2015 – Elgin County Fire Chiefs March 2015 – Ontario Phragmites Working Group April 2015 – Mayor’s Symposium on Phragmites Control June 2015 – Long Point Cottager’s and Landowner’s Association November 2015 – Thamesford Lions Club November 2015 – MorelMag.ca “Stop the Invasion” The plan has been featured on the following web sites: Ontario Phragmites Working Group Ontario Invasive Plant Species Great Lakes Phragmites Collaborative Ontario Legislature Official Record, October 15, 2015, Jeff Yurek commenting of Invasive Species Act Assistance given upon request to: Private citizen – Niagara on the Lake Private citizen – Kitchener Student – Niagara College Naturalist – City of Windsor, programme for eradication presented to Windsor Council December 21, 2015 Chief Horticulturist, Facilities Management – University of Western Ontario BASF Corporation Canada

Many thanks to the hardworking committee: Inge Bowman - Vice Chair Lynda Pressey Ted and Helga Bear Randy Lidkea Mark Tinlin - Council Representative Jeff Lawrence – KCCA Representative Ross Tucker – Director of Parks and Recreation A very sincere thank you is extended to Mayor Jackson and members of Council for their support and encouragement.