[APWG] Wavyleaf Basketgrass

[Marc Imlay]

 Update on containment of Wavyleaf Basketgrass. Thanks Heidi
 
  
Marc Imlay, PhD, 

Conservation biologist, Park Ranger Office

 <tel:%28301%29%20442-5657> (301) 442-5657 cell

  <mailto:ialm at erols.com> ialm at erols.com

Natural and Historical Resources Division

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission

 <http://www.pgparks.com/> www.pgparks.com


 
 
 ----------Original Message----------

From: Land Resources Mail 
Date: Mar 27, 2012 12:29:02 PM
Subject: Wavyleaf Basketgrass
To: "'hepringle at verizon.net'" <hepringle at verizon.net>
Cc: "McKnight, Jonathan" <JMcKnight at dnr.state.md.us>
 


March 27, 2012

 

Ms. Heidi Pringle

3237 Ramblewood Road

Ellicott City MD  21042-2445

 

Dear Ms. Pringle: 

 

Thank you for your email to Governor Martin O'Malley regarding wavyleaf
basketgrass (WLBG).  The Governor has reviewed your email and asked me to
respond on his behalf.

 

The Governor and the Department share your concern about the spread of WLBG,
in particular, its potential impact on forest food webs.  We are committed
to controlling the plant where it occurs in newly discovered patches,
especially in areas where rare, threatened or endangered species occur.
Although we tried to remove it from parts of Patapsco Valley State Park, we
do not have enough resources to eradicate it from that park or from other
State land.  

 

Even in 2007, when we first became aware of WLBG in Patapsco, the grass had
a foothold on multiple sites in both Maryland and Virginia.  During the 2010
and 2011 field seasons, we became increasingly aware of how widespread the
grass is on private lands, both commercial and residential, in central
Maryland.  This means that even if DNR were able to remove the grass
completely from State land, WLBG would still spread from locations not under
our management. 

 

DNR staff members believe, as you mentioned, that this plant could be
eradicated over a five to ten year period, if funding for control were made
available to both State and private landowners.  The USDA Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is conducting a pest risk assessment for
WLBG; it is possible that the grass will be listed as a federal noxious
weed.  Unfortunately, listing by APHIS is no longer linked with federal
programmatic funds for control of the listed species.  Short of receiving
unanticipated funds through Congressional action, we see no way to mount an
effective eradication campaign for this species.

 

We have continued to train land managers to recognize and remove WLBG where
and when they find it.  Our neighboring states know about WLBG and their
natural resource agencies are watching for signs of it.  Pennsylvania in
particular, has been diligent in searching its state parks and forests,
especially those along our shared border.  We will continue to make people
aware of this plant at every opportunity.  Sharp-eyed Maryland citizens
provide valuable information on invasive species' locations and spread.  We
are counting on that in efforts to contain WLBG to the greatest extent
possible.

 

Once again, thank you for taking the time to write with your concerns.
Governor O'Malley appreciates hearing from you and, on his behalf, I also
thank you for your interest in this very important issue.  For further
detail on the Department's myriad invasive species prevention, education,
control, and eradication efforts, please contact Jonathan McKnight,
Associate Director of the Wildlife and Heritage Service, at 410-260-8539, or
877-620-8367 extension 8539, or by email jmcknight at dnr.state.md.us.  He will
be happy to assist you.

 

 

Sincerely,

John R. Griffin

Secretary

 

cc:    Jonathan McKnight, Associate Director, Wildlife and Heritage Service,
DNR

 

 Dear Marc,
 
I received personal letters from James Robey, Allan Kittleman, and Elijah
Cummings.  
 
Robey admitted he was not informed about it and informed me that he was not
my representative and that the deadline had passed for new legislation in
the General Assembly.  
 
Kittleman contacted Kerrie Kyde.  In response to my request for funding and
for a new law forcing the removal of WLBG on public lands, Kittleman
explained:  "In addition to the efforts already underway, the Maryland
General Assembly passed House Bill 841 in 2011, which established an
Invasive Plants Advisory Committee in the Department of fAgriculture. The
legislation requires that hte Secretary of Agriculture adopt regulations
relating to invasive plants by October 2012.  These regulations will
authorize  the secretary to take certain actions after discovering invasive
plant species.  It is through these regulations, rather than legislation,
that the State will be able to make decisions about how Wavyleaf Basketgrass
is controlled."
 
Elijah Cummings agreed that invasive species are very damaging and said "I
will support the highest possible funding level to combat the introduction
and spread in the United States of invasive species."  He also said, " Given
the ban on earmarking federal funds, I cannot request federal expenditures
specifically to combat invasive species in Maryland."  He mentioned USDA's
APHIS that gets funding for combatting the introduction of invasive species.
 
Heidi

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