Michigan department of environment, great lakes, and energy will implement a multi-year project to reduce the spread and negative impacts of european frog-bit (EFB) by expanding early detection and…

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 awarded $440,000 to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy under the Geographic Programs - Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (CFDA 66.469) on October 1, 2025, to implement a multi-year project addressing the spread of European frog-bit (EFB) invasive species across Michigan through December 31, 2027. The award supports the expansion of early detection and control actions administered by regional Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas (CISMAs), which will receive training on EFB identification, detection, and control methodologies. Subawardees will develop standardized workplan templates and surveillance techniques to ensure consistent implementation across monitoring locations while conducting herbicide applications at identified sites.

Project deliverables include early detection survey activities at 20 or more sites and control of at least 280 acres of EFB-infested areas. The initiative aims to reduce EFB populations across Michigan and slow its spread to unaffected regions, thereby improving Great Lakes ecosystem quality and benefiting residents of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. This project aligns with the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative's broader mission to restore and maintain the environmental integrity of the Great Lakes ecosystem through invasive species management and ecosystem protection activities.

Michigan department of environment, great lakes, and energy will implement a multi-year project to reduce the spread and negative impacts of european frog-bit (EFB) by expanding early detection and control actions by regional cooperative invasive species management areas (cismas). Activities:activities include training cisma staff on EFB identification, detection and control, developing EFB surveillance and control workplans, conducting early detection monitoring, and controlling established invasive species at surveyed locations. Subrecipient:subawardees will develop workplan templates to ensure common methods/criteria to standardized surveillance techniques of european frogbit (EFB) and then implement those methods and conduct herbicide applications. Outcomes:deliverables include early detection survey activities at 20 or more sites and at least 280 acres of EFB invasive species control. The expected outcomes are increasing EFB surveillance and control efforts across michigan to reduce EFB populations and slow its spread to new locations. Residents of the lower peninsula of michigan will benefit from the prevention/control of EFB which will in turn improve great lakes ecosystem quality.