HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2015.05.21 - 218721(44 r s
MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION # 15155 A Le) BY: Commissioner Michael J. Gingell, District #1 Ac_. •
IN RE: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS — DEVELOPMENT OF OAKLAND COUNTY PHRAGMITES
CONTROL MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM
To the Oakland County Board of Commissioners
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS Phragrnites australis is an invasive plant that quickly spreads through marsh and wetland
areas, robbing the fish, plants and wildlife of nutrients and space, blocking access to the water and
spoiling shoreline views; and
WHEREAS Phragmites reduces land values, recreation opportunities and tourism by limiting access and
views of lakes and rivers while encouraging blight condition; and
WHEREAS once Phragmites have become established, removal by hand is nearly impossible; and
WHEREAS each Phragmites stalk produces up to 2,000 seeds, which can be spread by the wind,
transfer of soil, animals and other means; and
WHEREAS an incident in March 2011 demonstrated the highly flammable nature of Phragmites, when
160 acres of dry stalks burned at Great Lakes Crossing Mall, requiring the closure of 1-75 and evacuation
of many business and homes; and
WHEREAS early detection and treatment is key to controlling Phragmites; and
WHEREAS ongoing efforts to control Phragmites in Macomb County have been supported by a
partnership between the county government, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Michigan Department of
Natural Resources, Southeast Michigan Council of Governments , the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan
Authority, local units of government and the Michigan Chapter of Ducks Unlimited; and
WHEREAS Oakland County local governments and concerned citizens have expended significant time
and resources battling the spread of Phragmites; and
WHEREAS the rapid spread of Phragmites beyond municipal boundaries, throughout watersheds, in
roadside and storm water drainage areas, parks and nature areas while creating real concerns such as
threatening biodiversity, compromising groundwater and creating fire hazards has established the need
for county government involvement.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Chairman of the Board shall designate a study committee
consisting of two members of the majority party and one member of the minority party to develop a
matching grant program to attract support from federal, state and local governments and private
partnerships to meet the challenge of controlling the growth of Phragmites in Oakland County.
Chairperson, I move the acil,gptiosi of the foregoing Resolution.
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Resolution #15155 May 21, 2015
The Chairperson referred the resolution to the Finance Committee. There were no objections.