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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-04-30 Northern Prairies Restoration Management Plan (Recd 05-02-1997) • • RECEIVED II 2 1997 NORTHERN PRAIRIES RESTORATION LANDSCAPE COMPANY PRAIRIES, WETLANDS, WOODLANDS 115 East Mill Street Cannon Falls, MN 55009 507 - 263 -0154 Date: 04/30/97 To: Andy Weaver V ilt,ftrnatusn rl C From: Stephen Thomforde Subject: Restoration Management Plan for Oak Park Heights. RESTORATION MANAGEMENT PLAN I Ecological Parameters: A. Location: Oak Parks Heights, Minnesota. B. Size: Approximately 8 acres C. Soils: Uplands soils consist of glacial tills, sands, and gravel. Very poor formation of the A horizon; 1.5 acres. The low land soils are typical lacusterine Warns. These soils range from well drained to poorly drained, dependent upon the clay component; 3.8 acres. Closer to the wetland, the clay becomes more prevalent, and the soils are wet; 2.6 acres. Site to be separated into four zones dependent upon soils. This square footage will allow the installation committee a chance to fine tune their seed selection. 1. Wet: 30,000 sq /ft 2. Wet mesic: 60,000 sq /ft 3. Mesic: 190,000 sq /ft 4. Dry mesic: 60,000 sq /ft (Seedlings only) • 1 • • • D. Existing vegetation: 1. Wet: Reed Canary grass, Popple, Red osier dogwood, Swamp Muhly grass, Carex stricta, Carex lacusterine, Broad leaf cattail. 2. Wet mesic: Reed Canary grass, Smooth brome, Quack grass, Poa species, Red osier dogwood. 3. Mesic: Smooth brome, Quack grass, Poa species. 4. Dry Mesic: Native species include; Little bluestem, Dantonia, Indian grass, Big bluestem, Black -eyed susan, Bergamot, Lespedeza capitata. (More native species may present themselves after a burn) Exotic species include; Centaurea, Poa species, Smooth brome. (More exotic species may present themselves after the burn) E. Sunlight: 1. 65% - 100% F. Slope: Two knolls that tend to the Northeast are very steep, dropping off 40 feet in 100 feet. The entire site tends towards the North east. G. Historical: Pasture land. Grazed into oblivion. Several native species remain on the knolls, where it was obviously to steep to plow, and too steep for any intensive grazing to occur. Just how many native species remain at � 5 61 +C tlrisOte is unknown at present. A more accurate species composition could be determined after a burn. The lower southern parcel must have been plowed at some point, more recently than any other parcel at this site. The ground here is level. The dominant species is Smooth brome, Bromus inermis. Fire suppression has occurred for the past 50 years. 2 • • H. Comments: I have split the entire project into two stages, (Stage I and Stage II) based on site preparation. The entire site is thus split in half along a line that runs from "The Knolls ", to "Cottonwood Hill ", near the old farm buildings. (See map) Within the Two Stages there exists 5 potential sites. The entire project could be completed as one large site, or divided over several years, as money became available. Stage 1 lies on the south side of the line. It contains 4 separate sites: 95,000 sq /ft of mesic prairie, 30,000 sq /ft of wet mesic prairie, 15,000 sq /ft of wet prairie, and 15,000 sq /ft of sedge meadow. The 60,000 sq /ft of upland knolls with the existing native vegetation are contained in this stage. The sedge meadow is also complete enough, that no herbicide treatment is recommended. Stage 2 lies on the north side of the line. It contains 95,000 sq /ft of mesic prairie, and 30,000 sq /ft of wet mesic prairie. These two sites are more rugged and over grown than any of the sites in Stage I. This stage of the project will require some extensive tree removable, and tilling. 1. The entire project should be considered as 5 sites, in as far as species composition, and or installation procedures are concerned. Stage 1: a. Site I Knolls. Dry to dry mesic. 60,000 sq /ft. Selective herbicide and mechanical weed removable. Shrub thinning. Seedlings only. b. Site II Bottom land. Mesic 95,000 sq /ft. Wet mesic 30,000 sq /ft. Burn, herbicide, and no till drill. c. Site III Marsh perimeter. Wet. 15,000 sq /ft Burn. Shrub thinning. Herbicide. No till drill. d. Site IV Sedge meadow. Wet. Spring. Fen. 15,000 sq /ft Burn. Selective herbicide. Seedlings. Broadcast seed. Stage 2: a. Site V Rough bottom land. Mesic 95,000 sq /ft. Wet mesic 30,000 sq /ft. Burn. Tree removable. Minor tilling. Herbicide. No till drill. This prescription will allow for a great degree of biodiversity, which equates to stability. 3 • • • II. Installation Procedures: The key to a successful restoration effort is to rid the site of all current vegetation. In essence, we need to create a window to re- establish the native species. Agricultural fields can provide an excellent host for a quick and quality prairie to establish. Turf grasses are easy to kill, and also take on a prairie very well. Old fields require a more intensive weed management program. 1. Burn off entire site. A burn will rid the site of excess trash, stimulate weed seed germination, and allow for an equal and invigorated growth by all weeds. These three factors will allow the herbicides to achieve a maximum effectiveness. The burn will also stimulate dormant species to grow, thus allowing for a more accurate species analysis. April 20 - May 5 Fire Line establishment $800.00 / 500.00 Assist with burn $200.00 / 200.00 Burn $2000.00 / 1200.00 Stage I 2. Site by Site Prescription. A. Site I The Knolls: Site I is a refuge. it contains more good than bad. The need here is to preserve what is, and selectively remove what should not be there. Thinning of the shrubs should be performed. After the initial thin down, tire will keep the shrubs in check. This site needs to be monitored for species composition. Several native species may lay dormant, awaiting a burn to re -new their vigor. The burn will also stimulate the exotic (weed) species, making them more easy to pin point and eradicate through selective herbicide treatment and mechanical removable. On the steep knolls, where some actual native species do occur, I recommend that the soil not be disturbed, nor that a random application of herbicide be applied. It is obvious why the soils should not be disturbed, for it would create a potential for extreme soil erosion. The random use of herbicide would eliminate many of the species that should be persevered for this restoration project. The bad guys (weed species) on these knolls, are not bad enough to warrant the total • innialation of all existing vegetation. Introduced native seedlings should out compete the weeds within a few seasons. 4 • • This site should contain soil microbes, fungi, bacterium, protistians, and invertebrate animals, that will inoculate the other areas of this site. 1. Native species: Little bluestem, Indian grass, Big bluestem, Bergamot, and other species typically found in a slightly degraded system. 2. Seedlings: Typical seedling rates equal 1 plant /sq /ft. This site is 60,000 sq /ft; hence approximately 60,000 native plants should exist at this site. The primary concern here is increasing species diversity. I would recommend the addition of 1000 forbs per year over the next 5 years. The addition should include at least 20 species. I also recommend the addition of 7 grass species, 500 per year for the next 5 years. Species that I would recommend include: Butterfly milkweed, Pasque flower, Liatris aspera, Prairie smoke, Alumroot, Blue eyed grass, Coreopsis, Purple prairie clover, Leadplant, Prairie phlox, New Jersey tea, White prairie clover, Thimble flower, Silky aster, Heath aster, Showy goldenrod, Prairie sage, Smooth aster, Side oats gramma grass Northern dropseed, Scribners panic grass, Porcupine grass, Carex scoparius, and Stoney hill mulhy grass. Mechanical and chemical weed control, including shrub thinning 3 visits per year $850.00 (Brush will be piled in a designated area and burned in the winter; included in price.) Seedlings: 1000 forb plants $800.00 1000 forb plants delivered and planted $1,300.00 500 grass plants $125.00 500 grass plants delivered and planted $300.00 3. Contractual seedling option: This option would allow the for the re- establishment of local genotypes when available. I would gather seed from a twenty five mile radius of this project and propagate the seedlings. These seedlings would then be planted at the site. 1000 forbs seedlings $1,500.00 500 grass plants $450.00 (This price includes seed gathering) 5 • • Stage I B. Site II Bottom Lands Mesic 95,000 sq /ft and Wet Mesic 30,000 sq /ft. 1. Weed Control: Where the site is level, a no till drill would be the weapon of choice. The concept here is to burn in the spring, and then hit the weeds heavy with 2 -3 burn downs of herbicide (3 -5% solution of Round Up). The first Spraying should be done during the last week of May. The site should be monitored for the second complete spraying, which typically occurs between July 15 and August 15. A third and final spraying may occur in September. If planting does not occur in the fall, then another complete spraying should be performed in the spring of 1998 before planting. 2.8 acres spraying. Chemical $200.00 Per visit $200.00 Application $200.00 Total cost per complete spraying $600.00 Spot spray Per visit $200.00 Per 1000 /sq /ft $12.00 Shrub thinning One day $300.00 2. Planting Site II Once the weed species have been controlled, planting may proceed. All planting should be done with a Truax no till drill. The no till drill effectively plants into soils that have not been tilled. Tilled soils in situations like this, tend to lay rough until several tilling have been accomplished. These soils also contain an extensive weed seed bank, especially early successional species such as ragweed and stinging nettles. Truax Drill Per visit: $200.00 Tractor, Drill, Installer $40.00 /hr $240.00 6 • • 3. Seed: With the Truax Drill, the site can be planted with 10 /lb. per /acre. This rate needs to doubled when the seed is simply broadcast and harrowed. The two choices represent a difference in the amount of forb seed in the mixture. The typical mix is 80/20 in favor of the grasses. This results in a grassy prairie. The second suggest price represents a 60/40 ratio in favor of the grasses. Some experts now suggest, where feasible, a 80/20 ratio in favor of the forbs. a. Mesic 95,000 sq /ft = 21 lb. of seed. Mesic: 80/20 12 forbs 3 grasses $1390.00 Mesic: 60/40 24 forbs 4 grasses $2100.00 (We can work with a price in between these two figures) b. Wet mesic: 30,000 sq /ft = 7 lb. of seed Wet mesic: 80/20 12 forbs 3 grasses $595.00 Wet mesic: 60/40 24 forbs 4 grasses $840.00 Additional comments: I recommend planting this site in the Fall or the Spring of 1998. I would work with Prairie Moon for the forb seed, and PRI. for the Grass seed 7 • • Stage I C. Site III Marsh Perimeter. Wet. 15,000 sq /ft 1. Site Preparation: This site can be treated the same as site II; herbicide application and no till drilling. This site could use some shrub thinning. The herbicide Rodeo needs to be used in conjunction with the wetland. Rodeo is twice as expensive as Round Up. If the herbicide application coincides with Site II application, an additional $150 /per visit will be accessed. If this project is separate, from Site II, the approximate cost will be $350.00 per visit. (Both figures include herbicide costs.) Shrub Thinning $500.00 (Includes burning the piles in the winter) 2. Seeding: Wet areas are best seeded in the Fall. I have successfully planted in semi frozen soils on wet sites. All seeding should be done with a no till drill. Some wetland species need to be broadcast on the surface. Prairie Moon Nursery packages these species separately. These species can be hand broadcast, or broadcast with the Truax Drill, drop tubes pulled. 3.5 lb. of seed should be used. I would recommend a short sedge meadow mix to coincide with the existing sedge meadow in Site IV Sedge Meadow. Wet. 3.5 lb. Wet mix 80/20 12 forbs / 3 sedges $450.00 Wet mix 60/40 24 forbs / 4 sedges $650.00 8 • • • Stage I D. Site IV Sedge Meadow 15,000 sq /ft. This site could contain several important fen species, although anything edible has certainly been eaten out by the cows. A simple litmus paper test could determine if this is a calcareous fen. Swamp milkweed, at least two species of sedges, and swamp satin grass already exist at this site. After the burn, a more accurate species analysis could be determined. No site preparation is necessary at site. Seedlings should be added. I would recommend the addition of 20 species. Install 1000 seedling per year for five years. 20 Species. 1000 individual plants $1000.00 20 Species. 1000 individual plants installed $1500.00 I would recommend installing at least 400 forb seedlings, and the rest being grasses and sedges. Species: Blue flag iris, Flat top aster, Blue joint grass, Foxtail sedge, Cord grass, Marsh marigold, Cup plant, Tall meadow rue, Joe pye weed, Boneset, Northern bedstraw, Sweet william (Phlox), Meadow blazing star, Turk's cap Lilly, Great blue lobelia, Monkey flower, Mountain mint, Culver's root, Ox -eye daisy, Blue vervain, and Golden alexander. • 9 • • r Stage II A. Site V The Rough Bottom Land Mesic 95,000 sq /ft. Wet mesic 30,000 sq /ft This site needs some additional preparation before planting. I would recommend the elimination of all Box elder, Buckthorn, and Siberian elms from this site. These trees are weedy and invasive. Their elimination would allow for more effective site preparation. These trees could be cut down in the summer, and burned in the winter. Tree removable and burn $1000.00 The soils at this site are rough and need some leveling (tilling). Two complete tillings will need to be done. The first tilling should occur in the Fall of the year, so that the soils will mellow over winter. the second tilling should be accomplished the next spring Two tillings. $1200.00 Prior to tilling, the site should receive some attention to prepare it for a Fall till. There are two possible ways to prep the site. First, if this site gets burned during the spring, then herbicide should be applied twice, once during the early summer and once, in late summer. If a burn does not occur, then the site should be mowed down to 6 inches twice during the summer. If the site is to be sprayed, and spraying coincides with the other sites the price would be an additional $275 per visit. That includes chemical. If this site is sprayed separately, then it would cost approximately $600.00 per visit. Spraying per visit: $275.00 / $600.00 Mowing per visit $300.00 After the final tilling, the site should sit for several weeks. This process will allow the soils to firm up, which is desired. This process will also allow any weed seeds that have been brought to the surface a chance to germinate. If there is a flush of weeds, and I suspect there will be, then another spraying will be recommended. Final Spraying $300.00 Within one week of the final spraying the site should be seeded with a no till drill. Truax Drill: $440.00 Seed: 22 lb. of Mesic and 7 pounds of Wet mesic Mesic 80/20 3 Grasses /12 Forbs $1430.00 Mesic 60/40 4 Grasses /24 Forbs $2200.00 • Wet mesic 80/20 3 Grasses /12 Forbs $595.00 Wet mesic 60/40 4 Grasses /24 Forbs $840.00 10 S • 9 III. Maintenance procedures: A. First Growing Season: 1. Mowing: The site needs a military hair cut all season long. Mow at approximately 30 day intervals, or when weed height attains 16 inches. Mower height should be set at 8 inches. Mow dates, (approximate) June 15, July 25, August 30. 2. Re -seed thin areas: Areas of one square meter with fewer than 3 native species can be considered thin. These areas should be re- seeded, or planted with seedlings. Mowing and general maintenance per visit: $400.00 / 550.00 I will also re seed any thin areas if a maintenance contract is agreed upon. B. Second Growing Season: The second season might need some spot mowing, or spot herbicide treatment. Have your installer agree to visit the site mid way through the growing season, and make an assessment. Noxious weeds need to be destroyed. Thin areas need to be filled. Start to maintain primary fire lines. C. Third Growing Season: The native species should begin to dominate the landscape. A fire in late April would help this process. Noxious weeds need to be destroyed. Thin areas need to be filled. IV. Additional Comments: If you do choose to go forward with this project, but choose to do it yourselves, please obey the following rules: Number one: Kill all of the existing vegetation. Do not compromise on this provision. A successful restoration project begins with a successful weed control program. Old fields require an entire growing season to kill. Number two: Use only native and indigenous Minnesota seed. Do not use any seed whose parental stock is outside of a 200 mile radius. Number three: Follow a strict maintenance plan. Do not let any weeds mature during the first growing season. Have a trained restorationist / installer visit the site during the second season and make some recommendations to correct any minor problem that might exist at this time. 11 • • • Dear Andy; • I hope this plan provides your committee with enough information so that they can proceed with the decision making process that follows. The prices I've quoted are not set in stone. They are estimates of what I would charge if I had to bid today, without any other negotiations. I would enjoy becoming involved with this project. If you need some additional information, or need a presentation, or if you have any other questions, please call. Thank you again for your time and the opportunity to participate with this project. I hope to continue. � I Sincerely; ;0 1 A '-1 �'i Stephen L. Thomforde Northern Prairies Restoration Landscape Company. 115 East Mill Street Cannon Falls, MN 55009 1- 507 - 263 -0154 a i f scen 410 ,,, dp• eiceff I Excel Tiff At O lit vow - 6 196 dife ka *IL ire 12