Invasive Spartina Threatens Our Bays

(Jeremy Snapp and Bob Rowland remove Spartina from a wetland preserve -Land Bank photo)

Armed with shovels and clad in rubber boots, a crew of volunteers gathered early one recent fall morning at the Land Bank's Weeks Wetland Preserve on Fisherman Bay. The task at hand was the removal of a patch of invasive, non-native spartina from the preserve's sweep of tidelands. This bright green, vigorous clump of grass may look innocuous - but it's a plant that islanders are advised to start paying attention to.

Spartina (Spartina anglica and other species), also known as cordgrass, is an aggressive weed that has caused serious environmental and economic damage across the Pacific Coast. In Willapa Bay in Washington state, for example, spartina has radically changed the nearshore habitat, with dire consequences for many of the area's oyster growers. Spartina control efforts in Willapa Bay have cost state taxpayers millions of dollars.

Until recently, the plant was believed to be exterminated from San Juan County. But this year a state crew from the Department of Agriculture located patches at several locations in the county. In addition to the Weeks Wetland Preserve, infestations were found at Mud Bay and Spencer Spit Lagoon on Lopez, Buck Bay on Orcas, and Jakle's Lagoon on San Juan. Eradication of the plant is a top priority for the state and for the San Juan County Noxious Weed Control Board.

"Spartina is a real threat to our county's intertidal lands," said Eliza Habegger, Land Steward with the San Juan County Land Bank. She noted that the natural saltmarsh at Weeks Wetland Preserve is popular with waterfowl and other wildlife, not to mention local walkers. Left unchecked, spartina has the potential to change that habitat and displace native species. "Fortunately," she said, "The local infestations are still small. If we are vigilant and don't delay, we have a good chance of eradicating this nasty weed from our island shores."

The San Juan County Noxious Weed Control Board is available to help landowners identify and combat spartina. "Saltmarshes, mudflats, and estuaries are the perfect habitat for the plant" said Rich Lee of the Weed Control Board. "We're asking landowners to be on the lookout. Please contact us at 376-3499 to learn more." There are also a number of informative websites; basic information and links can be found at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/coast/plants/spartina.html.

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