By Zach Collier
The Utah state government has given Utah County $113,088 to combat the growth of the common reed. Officially known as Phragmites Australis, it was introduced to American waterways in the 1800s and has proliferated around Utah Lake and other bodies of water in Utah since the 2000s, posing a threat to native vegetation by competing for natural resources.
The grant, approved by the Utah County Commission on May 10, comes from the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food. Jake Johnson, Utah County’s weed control supervisor, says it’s important to remove these plants in order to enhance wildlife habitats, promote natural vegetation, improve recreational access, and reduce the risk of fires.
The primary focus of the funding will be on Phragmites control, which involves spot treatments with herbicides and subsequent mechanical treatments such as mowing to facilitate future follow-up actions.
Since 2006, Utah has been actively working on an eradication program for Phragmites, utilizing various methods including herbicide spraying, crushing, mowing, and even allowing cows to graze on the plants. The restoration of Utah Lake’s shoreline has been a priority since 2010, resulting in the removal of over 70% of the Phragmites biomass, leading to improved ecosystem health and biodiversity. The Utah Lake Authority has implemented an adopt-a-shoreline program to maintain the cleanliness of access points, with all 27 points being adopted.
The agreement for the removal and restoration of Phragmites along the Utah Lake shoreline will take effect on July 1 and expire on June 30, 2024. However, since the invasive species is difficult to fully eliminate due to numerous tributaries feeding into the lake, the need for continued funding is anticipated.
Other efforts to ensure the long-term health of Utah Lake include fisheries management, algae remediation, the nearly-complete Provo River Delta Project, and revitalization projects at marinas and harbors throughout the lake.
Provo Tribune: Local News for the Provo/Orem Area 