SOW phragmites_8-13-2026.pdf

Non-native invasive plant (NNIP) herbicide treatments (phragmites) on Lake Trail at Green Lakes State Park

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) seeks non-native invasive plant (NNIP) herbicide treatments at Green Lakes State Park (Town of Manlius, Onondaga County).

Green Lake, one of two globally rare meromictic lakes located in Green Lakes State Park, is a significant laucustrine system. In addition both lakes are home to fragile microbialite structures on the shores that can be highly impacted by invasive species. Besides meromictic lakes, NYS Natural Heritage Program has observed maple-basswood rich mesic forest, a significant ecological community, of which, roughly 146 acres are old growth.

Invasive species surveys of the lake trail during the fall of 2024 have revealed in several patches, relatively close in proximity to each other. Information about these infestations, including site maps are below.

Contract specifications:

A contractor is sought to treat phragmites in areas around Green Lake, beach parking lots and associated boardwalk beach access path. Total approximate acreage of phragmites to be treated is 1.5 acres. The method of treatment for phragmites will include backpack sprayer, boom sprayer, or approved equal in infested areas. All application will be done with an herbicide that can be used in a wetland area. NOTE: Parks staff will work in tandem with the herbicide applicator to cut the phrag ahead of the treatment to increase effectiveness of treatment and reduce overall cost. The preferred herbicides to be used would be the systemic pesticide, Glyphosate. Proposed use of glyphosate products shall list all species to be treated either on the herbicide specimen label or on a 2ee permit in New York; other productsvwould be acceptable only if the contractor knows of or can obtain suitable 2ee permits. All species should be treated during full leaf-out, at whatever time would provide most effective control. All treatments should be reported to OPRHP in a spreadsheet, in addition to being reported to the state of New York, as required by law.

Required Mitigation measures:

a. All applicators will be appropriately licensed through the NYS DEC.

b. All herbicide use will be in keeping with directions on the specimen label, and State and federal laws.

c. Notices of herbicide use and safe entry times will be posted at all sites of herbicide use; sign content will be in keeping with label directions.

d. Weather forecasts and current conditions, including wind speed, will be obtained prior to treatment, and used to determine whether or not to proceed, based on specimen label precautions.

e. Applicators will wear personal protective equipment as listed on each herbicide specimen label.

f. Storage, disposal, and cleaning of equipment will be in compliance with specimen label directions.

g. Temporary closures of trails and recreation sites may be used to further reduce public hazards associated with herbicide treatments. Temporary closures shall be posted at sites and along trails at least one week prior to treatment activities. The duration of closures shall be in keeping with the product’s specimen label directions. Contractor will provide adequate notification, once a task order is awarded.

2. To avoid private property:

a. Treat areas only indicated on the map, which are on OPRHP property

3. To ensure the correct plant species are treated, field personnel involved in invasive plant control shall be trained to distinguish target vegetation.

4. To prevent the spread of NNIP, equipment used to implement invasive plant control should be inspected for NNIP seeds or other plant propagules and cleaned to the extent feasible prior to coming onto OPRHP land and after completing treatment.

5. To protect soils/wetlands/water/aquatic resources:

a. If treatment is likely to result in bare soils, contractor will notify OPRHP staff that revegetation is needed, but is not responsible for revegetation.

b. Fueling or oiling of mechanical equipment and pouring of herbicides from one container to another would be done outside the Protective Strip (see table below).

c. The use of wheeled or tracked vehicles would be located and timed so that the soils are sufficiently dry to minimize soil compaction.

d. Use of a surfactant with glyphosate should be restricted to those surfactants understood to be the least toxic, based on the experience and best judgment of the applicator.

e. Use only the less toxic formulations of glyphosate (e.g., Rodeo®, Accord®). Less toxic formulations are those that require the addition of surfactants.

f. Limit the use of glyphosate in wetland settings to 1.25 pounds acid equivalent per acre.

g. Chemical treatments would be restricted to registered aquatic formulations of herbicides to protect water quality and aquatic organisms in the following locations:

i. On soils with poor drainage, or while a perched water table is present

ii. Within the Protective Strips of streams, seasonal pools, ponds, and wetlands (see table below)

iii. Adjacent to road ditch lines that are hydrologically connected to aquatic resources via surface flow.

6. Public notices shall be posted along trails and recreation sites treated with herbicides to inform the public about potential contact with herbicides. The length of time that notices remain posted shall be in keeping with directions on the product’s specimen label.

7. To avoid conflict with recreational use of trails, treatment is strongly preferred on weekdays. In extenuating circumstances, permission to treat on weekends may be possible, but only if approved by the OPRHP staff.

8. To limit improper use of wheeled or tracked motorized vehicles on trails, they shall be used for NNIP control only where they can be most effective, will be coordinated with Parks staff to ensure trail infrastructure and recreation resources will not be irreparably harmed.

Source: Esri, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics, and the GIS User Community q

0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000500 Feet

Legend Green Lakes Phragmites Cover

5% - 25%

51% - 75%

76% - 100%