Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Invasive ...

<strong>Proceedings</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Third</strong> <strong>International</strong> <strong>Conference</strong> on Invasive SpartinaChapter 4: Spartina Control and Management2001). DNA analysis was undertaken to confirm <strong>the</strong>identification and determine if <strong>the</strong> origin <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> S. anglicacould be established. Finally, specimens from B.C. werecompared with samples <strong>of</strong> S. anglica and S. alterniflorafrom Padilla Bay during a meeting with S. Riggs at <strong>the</strong>Padilla Bay Estuarine Research Reserve in Mount Vernon,Washington.Field Surveys and MappingIn late September, S. anglica plants were located using ahandheld Garmin XL GPS, and a GIS map was producedusing Fraser River estuary orthophotos. To prevent <strong>the</strong>release <strong>of</strong> seeds, above-ground leaves and all inflorescenceswere cut and collected in plastic bags for disposal. Densityand height were measured for a small subsample (n=4)within <strong>the</strong> largest clone.Spartina RemovalOn October 24, 2003, <strong>the</strong> first Fraser Spartina Busterswere assembled on Roberts Bank The group was comprised<strong>of</strong> 21 volunteer representatives from VPA, federal, andprovincial agencies, Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC),Langely Environmental Partners Society, and TsawwassenFirst Nations (TFN). The removal was conducted over onelow-tidal cycle and involved digging up plants with shovels,washing <strong>the</strong> roots and rhizomes in pools to removesediment, placing <strong>the</strong> washed plants in industrial-strengthplastic bags, and collecting <strong>the</strong>m in a shore-based disposalbin for incineration at <strong>the</strong> GVRD incinerator. All abovegroundmaterial was removed except for three clonesmeasuring 3 m or greater in diameter.Hovercraft Survey <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Outer Fraser EstuaryThe Canadian Coast Guard hovercraft, operated byFisheries and Oceans Canada (FOC), was used to survey <strong>the</strong>mudflat-marsh interface on Sturgeon Bank, Roberts Bankand Boundary Bay during low tide on November 19.Observers included <strong>the</strong> author (GW) and biologists fromFOC and VPA. Environment Canada, GVRD, and FOCprovided funding for <strong>the</strong> survey. GPS locations <strong>of</strong> S. anglicawere recorded and <strong>the</strong> distribution mapped.Outreach and EducationTo increase <strong>the</strong> awareness <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ecological impacts <strong>of</strong>S. anglica to <strong>the</strong> Fraser River estuary, a PowerPointpresentation was shown to several local naturalist groups.Articles were published in <strong>the</strong> Vancouver Natural HistorySociety newsletter (Williams 2004) and Botanical ElectronicNews (Williams 2004a). Interviews were also conducted andarticles published in local newspapers. CanadianBroadcasting Corporation (CBC) radio ran a short feature onS. anglica during a newscast. VPA is also consideringestablishing an environmental stewardship program withTFN that would include <strong>the</strong> monitoring and removal <strong>of</strong>Spartina in Roberts Bank.2004 Spartina anglica Control ProgramCoordination <strong>of</strong> ManagementFollowing <strong>the</strong> confirmation that S. anglica was notrestricted to Roberts Bank, <strong>the</strong> invasive species coordinatorfor FOC, Pat Lim, was contacted and a committeeestablished to deal with <strong>the</strong> S. anglica threat. OnDecember 4, 2003, representatives <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> agenices involvedin <strong>the</strong> Roberts Bank control program met with invitedSpartina eradication specialists from Washington State todevelop an action plan for <strong>the</strong> control and removal <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> S.anglica from Boundary Bay and Roberts Bank. WashingtonState representatives <strong>of</strong>fered to assist in <strong>the</strong> control andremoval program.The action plan, developed over several meetings,consisted <strong>of</strong> using volunteers to manually dig out plantsduring low tides in June, with a follow-up removal in <strong>the</strong>fall. A preliminary budget was determined to cover hiring avolunteer coordinator, producing educational materials, andsupporting a field operation. Matching funds werenegotiated with partner agencies and organizations, andconsiderable in-kind support was obtained.Mapping S. anglica DistributionOn May 31 and June 4, 2004, FOC mapped <strong>the</strong> easternarea <strong>of</strong> Boundary Bay between 104 th and 112 th Streets inDelta using handheld GPS units (Garmin eTrex Vista andGPS 76 Marine Navigator) with an accuracy <strong>of</strong> ± 5 m..Spartina was classified according to one <strong>of</strong> four classes:seedling, clone 0.3 m to 1 m diameter. A GIS map was produced using a recentorthophoto base map. The map was useful in indicating <strong>the</strong>amount <strong>of</strong> Spartina present and <strong>the</strong> allotment <strong>of</strong> resourcesfor removal.New growth <strong>of</strong> S. anglica was mapped in Roberts Bankin June and October using a Garmin 60 C handheld unit anda GIS map produced by DUC. On November 24, ahovercraft survey was conducted in Boundary Bay to mapnew and existing S. anglica. The GPS locations were addedto <strong>the</strong> GIS map produced by DUC.A survey <strong>of</strong> selected sites in Burrard Inlet (e.g.Maplewood, Port Moody mudflats, and Spanish Banks) wasconducted at low tide on November 21, 2004. No S. anglicawas observed at <strong>the</strong> Burrard Inlet sites.Outreach and EducationOn June 5, World Oceans Day was organized at BlackieSpit Park and a S. anglica poster and materials were put ondisplay. The event also provided an opportunity to recruitvolunteers for <strong>the</strong> S. anglica removal in Boundary Bayscheduled for June 17–19. FOC produced a fact sheet fordistribution at <strong>the</strong> event and o<strong>the</strong>r forums.PowerPoint presentations were made to several NGO’s,including naturalist groups and environmental training- 237 -