04_SOW Invasive Control_ Revised.docx

SCOPE OF WORK

INVASIVE VEGETATION CONTROL

BAYOU CADDY, MARSH RESTORATION PROJECT

April 2024

The Bayou Caddy Ecosystem Restoration (Shoreline Stabilization) project is located in southwestern Mississippi near Waveland, in Hancock County. The project site is adjacent to and west of the federally authorized Cadet Bayou navigation project. Cadet Bayou is about 21 miles to the west of the Port of Gulfport and is about 44 miles to the east of New Orleans, Louisiana. The Bayou Caddy Ecosystem Restoration Project consists of a 22-acre site of restored marsh contained by a 2,000-foot-long geotextile tube (Figure 1). The most recent portion of the project consists of a 1,000-foot-long by 25-foot-wide rock breakwater combined with a 1,700-foot-long segmented living shoreline system consisting of prefabricated concrete wave attenuation devices (WADs) that protect the ecosystem restoration project from excessive wave action and storm damage as seen in the figures below.

Figure 1: Bayou Caddy Ecosystem Restoration Beneficial Use Site Location

Area 1 Area 4

Figure 2: Drone Ortho mosaic View of Identified Phragmites Areas

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

This project entails an herbicide treatment of phragmites, an invasive plant identified during recent post-construction monitoring events, within four areas of the 22-acre restored marsh (Figure 2). The goal is to remove phragmites without causing damage to restored marsh plantings. This is intended to be a one-time spray treatment, after which additional follow-up or annual control treatments may be required, depending upon the results. Contractor shall provide all equipment, materials, transportation, and personnel required to accomplish the tasks described herein.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the restoration project are to: 1) Extend the longevity and enhance the ecosystem within four areas of the 22-acre restored marsh at the site through decreased density of the invasive phragmites plant that will (i) Increase native vegetation, and (ii) improve the functional quality of the habitat.

Task 1. Development of a Work Plan The contractor will develop a Draft Project Work Plan based on a site visit of the areas indicated on Figure 2. This Draft Plan will provide information on equipment to be used by the contractor and herbicide treatment methodology. The project work plan shall include the proposed locations as recommended by the contractor. The Project Work Plan shall also include project description, description of treatment application, anticipated schedule for the project, proposed report outline, proposed equipment used, name and quantity of proposed herbicide used for treatment, and name and qualifications of Forman and applicators.

Task 2. Invasive Vegetation Control The contractor will apply herbicide treatment to phragmites growth at the four areas of the restored marsh. The contractor’s crew will treat along advancing edges and within dense phragmites clusters. Foliar applications will be made to the leaves and stems of the phragmites in the monoculture areas by walking transects through the dense stands and spraying adjacent to each transect. Basal application, applied near the base of the sown crop, will be made to individual phragmites stems and clusters where the cane is just beginning to advance into the desirable marsh vegetation. Herbicide will be applied as slower, targeted spot treatments to prevent off-target application.

Three days of herbicide treatment will be sufficient, but spraying cannot be performed when raining or in windy conditions, therefore the project duration could take up to several weeks. This task will ideally be performed in the spring.

Task 3. Reporting The contractor is required to submit reports to Valerie Powe, Lead Biologist via email at Valerie.V.Powe@usace.army.mil. The draft report shall include a description of spray treatment and completion date of application, equipment used, name and quantity of herbicide used for treatment, and a complete summary of findings and photos for submittal within 10 days after treatment application. The Lead Biologist and other members of the Project Delivery Team (PDT) will review the report within three (3) days. If there are revisions, contractor will revise and finalize report for submittal within five (5) days.

image1.png image2.png image3.png