Visitors had a ball going up in the bucket of the Hampton Fire Department to view the park and bay access. (MyBayCity Photo by Dave Rogers) Phragmites Demonstration Project in Hampton May Be Great Lakes Model
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(MyBayCity Photo by Dave Rogers)
A kingfisher flying over the crowd in back of the speaker was a sign.
The rare bird alerted watchers that "Green Revolution" in Michigan and the Great Lakes, is starting right here in Bay County.
The avian symbol flitted overhead during a phragmites awareness day and nature trail dedication and grand opening Friday at Finn Road Park on Saginaw Bay in Hampton Township.
Pelicans, Caspian tern, kingfishers -- all are seen periodically at the Finn Road Park of Hampton Township, noted officials, including Hampton Supervisor Terry Spegel. The event showcased wildlife photography of Doug Jackson.
Hampton has nine miles of shoreline that because of the noxious weeds was inaccessible both physically and visually to the public three years ago. Not only people, but wildlife, was affected.
"The fact that these birds are now arriving here regularly is proof the phragmites control project is working," said Gary Gulezian, director of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Great Lakes office, Chicago.
The EPA has contributed $130,000 to the project to control phragmites that are plaguing all the Great Lakes except Lake Superior, he said, adding: "We are using this project in Hampton Township as a demonstration project to see what works. But it appears that this is the kind of model we need to make happen all over the Great Lakes."
After several years of work, visitors to the park now have access to the bay, where previously even their view was blocked by a noxious weed -- Phragmites Australis.
These noxious weeds, that range 12-15 feet high and have 60 percent of their growth underground, probably came from ship ballast dumped into the lakes and originated in Europe, officials theorize.
To open the Finn Road Park area to the bay once more, Hampton's Department of Public Works built a soil barge and push boat to remove the growth, said Mr. Spegel.
Through the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ)Coastal Management Plan, the state provided $150,000 to the phragmites control project, said Steven Chester, MDEQ director.
"We need to protect and preserve the unique ecology of Saginaw Bay from these damaging and invasive plants," he said. A Landowners guide to Phragmites Control is available at www.michigan.gov/deqinlandlakes (click on the aquatic nuisance control program link).
The MDEQ also provided $90,000 to improve a Hampton section of the Rail Trail and nature trail, unveiled Friday to the public by Mr. Spegel and other Hampton officials.
The section is Phase 1, from Finn to Knight roads, was completed a year ago, said the supervisor. Phase 2 is from Knight to Jones roads. The Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy is working with the township to procure land and return it to a natural state, officials said, crediting Valerie Roof and Charles Curtiss with key roles in the project and Greg Eagle with yeoman work marking off the trail and trail design.
"Our ultimate goal is to continue with the natural trail and tie in with the Rail Trail nine miles away," said Mr. Spegel.
(MyBayCity Photo by Dave Rogers)
(MyBayCity Photo by Dave Rogers)
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