Wild and Scenic Rivers
Lower Delaware River Wild and Scenic 
Delaware River Greenway Partnership
Post Office Box 54 , Erwinna , PA 18920
610-847-8650 • info@delrivgreenway.org
January 31, 2011
Wild & Scenic Management Committee Chairs, and Julie Bell, NPS:
This is a simplified re- application of DRGP’s submission for 2010, which was granted and withdrawn when matching funding seemed iffy. Matching funding is now secured. We are requesting only equipment, labor, and administrative costs. Funding for the interpretive and outreach aspects of the project (which we feel are of equal importance and certainly complicit with the mandate of the Wild & Scenic Program) will be the subject of grant requests to other entities.
Delaware River Greenway Partnership (DRGP) hereby requests $16,830 for invasive plants species control projects in two sensitive areas along the Wild and Scenic Lower Delaware River. Both projects are to be accomplished in partnership with U. S. Fish and Wildlife (USFW) and D & R Canal State Park (DRCSP), with assistance from other qualified partners noted below.
Area 1: Restoration of grassland habitat in the 75-acre field downstream of Firemans Eddy Access. Located between the canal and river in Hopewell Township, NJ, this property is part of the D & R Canal State Park (DRCSP). Autumn olive, mugwort, black locust and other non-native invasive plants are rapidly expanding. The area’s size and the mature stands of black locust preclude any notions of clearing the field by any but mechanical means.
Accomplished to date:
- Site visit by invasives control expert Michael Van Clef and a two-episode snapshot survey of the invasive species (established and emerging) conducted by Rachel Mackow, both of the Central Jersey Invasive Species Strike Team (CJISST), a project sponsored by the Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space (FoHVOS); representatives from DRGP and DRCSP participated on all three occasions.
- Comprehensive site visit by Eric Schrading, US Fish and Wildlife, New Jersey Office.
- Schrading and Van Clef independent recommendation: Restoration of the field to native grassland by mechanically removing all vegetation, tilling, application of glyphosate-based herbicide, and planting of native grasses. The restoration work will be accomplished March to September 2011, pending receipt of funding.
- NJ Division of Parks and Forestry (for DRCSP) (the owner-“cooperator”) was awarded a USFW Coastal Program grant in the amount of $14,375; of this, $7,975 is for rental of a seed drill, and in-kind supplies of herbicide and grass seed for the Fireman’s Eddy site. Eric Schrading of the NJ office will provide expertise and oversight. The timing of this grant has been extended once and is now dependent upon the timely receipt of additional grant funding in the amount of $13,500.
Project needs outstanding:
- Funds for field preparation, seeding, maintenance, brush management (includes rental of a brush hog and heavy tractor with tiller blade to till and pull the grass drill and hiring of an experienced operator).Amount needed: $13,500 ( site prep: $3750; seeding: $3750; repeat site prep (if necessary):$2250; tractor rental and operator: $3750) plus $1,350 (administrative costs)
- Expert and trained lay volunteers for post-project surveys.
- Interpretation and outreach (photography, press releases, signage, website, Power-Point programs): DRGP will seek other funding for this educational aspect of the project.
Anticipated results:
- Sustainable native grassland large enough to attract migratory grassland dependent birds (vesper sparrow, bobolink and grasshopper sparrow), and serve as a stop-off for other migrating birds that use the river valley. Very few sustainable grasslands are left in NJ and PA; this may be the only one along this section of the river.
- Natural/environmental and cultural/ historical interpretive asset for DRGP, DRCSP and the Delaware River National Scenic Byway (Route 29).
- Recreational asset (trails, bird-watching, botany)
- Scientific study in the control of emergent and emerging invasive species; baseline survey; surveys of species self-repopulation and planting of native species. Opportunity to study maintenance practices for deer and grasslands management. Demonstration project for stakeholders along the Delaware.
- Opportunities for historical study and tourism
Follow-up (in addition to surveys and censuses):
- DRCSP has signed a MOU to control deer predation in the area for at least ten years.
- DRCSP will mow the restored grassland every two years on a regular schedule and control “edge” species along the perimeter with regular maintenance.
- If invasives return, DRGP and DRCSP will engage volunteers to remove them.
Area 2: Invasive species control and restorative native planting in a state designated Natural Area and restorative native plant buffer in flood-scoured riparian areas on Bulls Island . A section of DRCSP in Delaware Township, NJ, the island was severely impacted by three flood episodes in 2004 and 2005 which disturbed the native forest species and made the 34-acre Natural Area on the lower half of the island vulnerable to an invasion of Japanese Knotweed and Japanese Hops; the riparian areas of the upper (campground) half of the island were seriously scoured.
Accomplished to date:
- Compilation of the many censuses of native plant species conducted over the years in the Natural Area by New York Botanical Society of the Torrey Botanical Society and Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve and lists of rare and endangered species held by the NJ Natural Heritage Program to serve as a baseline inventory and project goal.
- Site visit by CJISST’s Rachel Mackow and DRGP/ DRCSP representatives confirmed that, aside from the knotweed and hops, no significant invasive plant species are present; both Schrading and Mackow warned that planting of the scoured riparian area was of immediate concern.
- Comprehensive site visit by Eric Schrading, US Fish and Wildlife, New Jersey Office, accompanied by DRGP and DRCSP representatives. His estimates of approximately five acres of Knotweed monoculture in three major patches was confirmed by later map study. He recommended cutting the knotweed to the ground in July to weaken it; treating it with glyphosate-based herbicide after the growing season in September of the first and second years; and replanting native species the third year. Japanese Hops will be destroyed along with the knotweed and pulled up by volunteers where it has spread to adjoining areas.
- DRCSP (the owner-“cooperator”) was awarded a USFW Coastal Program grant in the amount of $14,375; of this, $6,400 is for herbicide, backpack sprayers, native “woody vegetation” and dogwoods and willows to replace the Knotweed. Eric Schrading of the NJ office will provide expertise and oversight. Award of the grant is dependent upon meeting the remaining project needs.
- Bowmans Hill Wildflower Preserve secured its own grant to inventory native and invasive plants in the Natural Area for its Plant Stewardship Index (PSI); this database and inventory has been recognized as an important milestone in the scientific study of native plants. The natural area will be surveyed in 2011; periodic follow-up is part of the program. Bowmans Hill representatives inspected the Knotweed removal areas and concur with others that no native species will be endangered.
- Decision made to secure to every extent possible native species propagated from indigenous local seed banks to further preserve the integrity of the Natural Area.
- In September 2010, volunteers (teachers and students) from a local private high school and DRGP volunteers planted over 100 indigenous local shrubs and perennials and removed mugwort from sections of the the scoured riparian area. The park maintenance staff will remove the encroaching black locust. Volunteers will hold at least two more mugwort-pulling sessions in the spring, and, depending upon the availability of plants, do more planting of native species in the fall, with an emphasis on dogwoods and willows and other species not available for the first planting.
- DRCSP has acquired a machine to cut the knotweed and brush-cutting weed whackers will be borrowed or rented for hard to reach areas. Necessary funding for continued maintenance will be sought elsewhere.
Project needs outstanding:
- Funds to hire experienced operators for cutting and herbicide application, as this may not be done by volunteers.Amount needed: $1800 (cutting $600 (2 days @ $300); herbicide application $1200 (4 days over 2 years @ $300). $1200 is needed in 2011.
- Trained volunteers to cut, and additional volunteers to remove cuttings for supervised, responsible disposal.
- Experts and trained lay volunteers for systematic post-project surveys and censuses. Bowman’s Hill and Natural Heritage Program people are expected to do follow-up surveys as well.
- Interpretation and outreach (photos, press releases, signage, website, Power-Point programs): As before, DRGP will seek other funding for this aspect of the project.
Anticipated results:
- Invasive species control and restoration of upland and palustrine forested areas within a NJ state-designated Natural Area along the Wild and Scenic Lower Delaware River. Special permissions have been secured from the Natural Heritage Program to make changes in a Natural Area, one of only 43 in the state: the results and their application to other designated natural areas will be closely analyzed.
- Continued restoration and stabilization of riparian buffer along the Wild and Scenic Lower Delaware River at Bulls Island.
- Natural/environmental and cultural/ historical interpretive asset for DRGP, DRCSP and the Delaware River National Scenic Byway (Route 29).
- Recreational asset (trails, exceptional bird-watching site in spring, botany, camping, picnicking)
- Scientific study in the control of emergent and emerging invasive species; baseline survey; surveys and censuses of species self-repopulation and planting of native species. Opportunity to study maintenance practices for deer management. Demonstration project for stakeholders along the Delaware. Opportunity for communication with stakeholders.
- Opportunities for historical study and tourism: Delaware Belvidere Railroad 1850s to the1960s (now the canal towpath); DRCSP campsite, picnic area, and state-designated natural area; Delaware and Raritan Canal (1834), intake channel, bridge and guard gate; river wing dam; pedestrian river bridge.
Follow-up (in addition to surveys and censuses):
- DRCSP has signed a MOU to control deer predation in the area for ten years.
- If invasive species seem to be coming back in the riparian area, DRGP and DRCSP will engage teams of volunteers to pull them up before they become a serious problem. The Natural Area will be left undisturbed.
The Future:
DRGP intends to seek additional opportunities and partnerships, and assume a leadership role for invasive plant control and riparian restoration on both sides of the Delaware, and for education of the wider public about the nature and extent of the problem, its importance, and the value of native plants for the Delaware River ecosystem. The next step in this effort could include hiring a professional invasives expert to conduct targeted surveys along the lower Delaware, identify priority sites for control and restoration, and recommend future projects.
SUMMARY OF PROJECT COSTS
USFW Coastal program grant: $7,075 (field)
$6,400 (island)
$14,375
Requested from NPS Wild & Scenic Program: $13,500 (field)
$ 1,800 (island)
$ 1,530 (10% administrative)
$16,830 (2009 request was $29,200)
TOTAL $31,205
Additional DRGP funding for interpretation,
outreach & oversight: $10,000 (est.)
DRCSP in-kind (use of equipment,
staff hours, coordination, maintenance): $10,000 (est.)
Volunteer time: at least four workdays, 25 persons,
four hours/day at volunteer rate of $15.00/hr $6,000 (min. est)
Minimum total value of project $ 57,205 *
* Note: This represents the total value of the project to the river, not the amount requested from Wild and Scenic funding.
Bottom Line Needs (as per request by NPS)
DRGP could delay the invasive removal work on Bull’s Island for another year, but the knotweed situation will only worsen. This area is an important riverine Natural Area for New Jersey. We would also lose the promised match. Savings: $1800.00
DRGP could absorb all administrative costs, a hardship to us, but an indication of how important we consider these projects . Savings: $1530.00
Total savings: $3330.00
Bottom Line requirement $13, 500.00
Supporting documents, surveys, website links, and maps will be supplied upon request.
Details of the USFW grant and abbreviated time line follow as appendices.
Appendix A (Funding approved and waiting for match)
USFW Coastal Program grant
Riparian Restoration at Bulls Island Recreational Area:
Woody vegetation $ 3,750
(5 acres at 150 trees / shrubs per acre @ $5.00 / plant)
Tree tubes (300 @ $4.00 / tree tube) $ 1,200
Herbicide (5 gallons @ $50.00 / boxes) $ 250
Backpack sprayer $ 200
Willows and dogwoods for scour area (200-300 trees) $ 1,000
TOTAL REQUESTED AMOUNT FOR Bulls Island $ 6,400
Grassland Restoration at Firemans Eddy Fields:
Grass seed $ 4,200
Grass drill rental $ 1,875
Herbicide (glyphosate and Plateau) $ 1,500
Bluebird Boxes (20 @ $20.00 / boxes) $ 400
TOTAL REQUESTED AMOUNT FOR Fireman’s Eddy $ 7,975
GRANT TOTAL: $14,375
Appendix B
ABBREVIATED SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES & REVISED TIMELINE
Eric Schrading/USFW Coastal Program (Greg Breese)
BULLS ISLAND
- Supply and assist with application of herbicide to Knotweed/ Hops in late August-early Sept. 2011 and 2012,
- Supply and advise on planting of native shrubs in knotweed control areas in fall of 2012
- Supply and advise on planting of native willows and dogwoods in riparian area in fall of 2011
- Annual inspections 2011-2020
THE FIELD
- Supply herbicide, grass drill, native grass seeds, and supervision early spring 2011
- Supply bluebird boxes
- Annual inspections, 2011-2021
DRGP/ DRCSP
BULLS ISLAND
- Cut knotweed in July to increase efficacy of herbicide and dispose of all debris responsibly, July 2011 (and 2012?)
- Assist with application of herbicide to Knotweed/ Hops in late August-early Sept. 2011 and 2012,
- Plant native woody vegetation in fall 2013 or after knotweed and hops controlled
- Plant native willows and dogwoods in scoured riparian areas, fall 2010, fall 2011 (subject to availability)
- Control other invasive species in natural and riparian areas (established and emerging) as indicated by their numbers and physiognomy 2011-2013
- Inspect on regular basis and take remedial measures where indicated
THE FIELD
- Brush hog all plant materials in field (black locust may require chain saw), till, apply herbicide, disk land, plant seeds, spring 2011, starting before migrants return
- Establish bluebird boxes
- Keep field mowed on regular schedule every 2-3 years; it will help growth (and attract birds) if disking is done the first two years (in 2011 & 2012, after nesting season!)
- Inspect on regular basis and take remedial measures indicated 2011-2021