Commission approves invasive-species plan for Channel Point property; COC continued for field verification

BSC Group and wetland scientist Paul Manuso presented an invasive-species-management plan tied to an open Order of Conditions for a Channel Point parcel. Manuso said the plan calls for targeted treatment of Phragmites, knotweed and bittersweet with aquatic-safe glyphosate late in the growing season, followed by spring evaluations and additional treatments as needed over a three-year period.

"The plan is to apply a glyphosate treatment once a year ... in August/September time frame for three years," Manuso said, and described follow-up site visits to evaluate treatment effectiveness and to design replanting where necessary.

Commissioners agreed to approve the invasive-species plan provided the applicant adds a clear replanting/blanketing component for any areas that will be left bare after treatment, restricts access to the top of the bank, and commits to monitoring and annual reporting. Staff and the applicant also concluded that issuing a Certificate of Compliance immediately would be premature because previous plantings have failed and monitoring reports were not submitted; the commission therefore continued the COC request to May (the applicant requested May 21) to allow the invasive-species plan revisions and additional documentation.

The commission adopted the invasive-species plan subject to the requested revisions and will revisit the COC after the applicant submits the monitoring/planting invoices, planting lists, and any additional site information.