Scope of Work_Waukegan Dunes~1.docx

Scope of Work Invasive Species Management at the Waukegan Dunes Natural Area

Background/History Waukegan Dunes Natural area, located within the City of Waukegan, is part of the Illinois Lake Plain and contains some of the highest quality dune and swale ecosystems that remains along the southwestern portion of Lake Michigan’s coast. This rare ecosystem, made up of beach, foredune, panne, and dry sand prairie, faces the threat of displacement by highly invasive species such as common reed (Phragmites australis) and narrowleaf cattail (Typha augustifolia).

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources will engage a contractor to conduct the treatment of invasive species via herbicidal application in the 6.9 acre of panne and palustrine habitat found within the 61.2 -acre Waukegan Dunes Natural Area. Project outcomes include the reduction of invasive species populations and an increase in the floristic quality index of the ecosystems, protection of panne, sedge meadow and wet prairie habitat from displacement by invasive species, and increased ability for early detection of invasive plan species such as lyme grass in wetland habitats before the species has a chance to spread.

Goals and Objectives Overall goals of this work are to:

· Reduce and control invasives species in the Waukegan Dunes Natural Area through application of herbicide in the 6.9-acre panne and palustrine habitat

Scope of Services Contractor will treat 6.9 acres of invasive species (specifically Phragmites australis and Typha augustifolia) in an area designated by IDNR by applying appropriate herbicide. First treatment shall take place in fall 2025, followed by retreatment as needed in late summer or early fall 2026. Treatment area is provided in Figure 1. Treatment will be coordinated with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources biologist, Brad Semel.

Herbicidal treatments will be conducted in accordance with the herbicide’s label guidelines. To minimize non-target mortality, selective foliar spray and wick application will be the primary application method wherever feasible. Treatment with backpack sprayers will be used in areas of high target species density. For backpack application, the Contractor will apply at minimum a 5% solution of product with 53.8% active ingredient by volume of an aquatic approved glyphosate herbicide with at minimum a 3-4% solution of imazapyr-based herbicide.

Hand wick herbicide application will be conducted in areas with sensitive native vegetation. State-listed species of concern are present in the project area. During herbicide application, the contractor will identify sensitive species and ensure invasive plans in the vicinity are treated by hand wick application only.

The contractor will notify the assigned IDNR staff, Brad Semel, via email within 24 hours once treatment has been completed. IDNR staff will field verify the treatment two weeks after its completion.

Post treatment monitoring will occur to note any areas which need retreatment. IDNR will conduct monitoring after the initial treatment to evaluate the contractor has met the level of control required (98%). Any retreatments will occur in late summer or early fall of 2026.

The contractor will supply all equipment needed to complete the work, including backpack sprayers, hand wicking materials, and safety equipment.

The contractor will provide personnel to treat 6.9 acres in the area designated at Waukegan Dunes Natural Area, total hours of treatment not to exceed 187 hours.

Timeline of Work

· Fall 2025: Treatment of 6.9 acres indicated in Figure 1.

· Spring/fall 2026: Treatment of any resprouts within the treatment area, as identified by IDNR biologist.

Intended Outcomes

· Elimination of 98% of invasive species within the designated treatment area.

Figure 1: Treatment area encompassing 6.9 acres of panne and palustrine habitat in Waukegan Dunes image1.emf