Upcoming Invasive Species Treatment
To maintain environmental quality and public health and safety, the Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) and various local governments, working with the Oakland County Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area, will treat the invasive plants knotweed and Phragmites along major Oakland County roads from August through October 2021.
Phragmites grows in wet areas and can reach heights of 15 feet, leading to safety and environmental problems. It forms dense stands blocking views at intersections, impedes water access, impairs drainage, damages infrastructure, crowds out habitat and causes hot, damaging fires if ignited. Knotweed spreads easily when cut and can damage infrastructure including buildings and roads.
Areas for treatment include Oakland County primary, local and natural beauty roads in Addison, Bloomfield, Brandon, Commerce, Groveland, Highland, Holly, Independence, Lyon, Milford, Oakland, Orion, Oxford, Rose, Springfield, Waterford, West Bloomfield and White Lake townships; and the communities of Auburn Hills, Beverly Hills, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Clarkston, Farmington, Farmington Hills, Franklin, Holly, Lake Angelus, Leonard, Madison Heights, Novi, Orchard Lake Village, Ortonville, Pontiac, Rochester, Rochester Hills, South Lyon, Southfield, Troy, Walled Lake, Wixom and Wolverine Lake.
The contractor listed below will perform the knotweed treatment and can be contacted with questions about the chemical products used and method of application:
• Cardno Inc., 11181 Marwill Ave, West Olive, MI 49460, 616-847-1680, www.cardno.com
The contractors listed below will perform the Phragmites treatment and can be contacted with questions about the chemical products used and method of application:
• PLM Lake and Land Management Corp, 10785 Bennett Drive, Morrice, MI 48857, 800-382-4434, www.plmcorp.net
• Cardno Inc., 11181 Marwill Ave, West Olive, MI 49460, 616-847-1680, www.cardno.com
• GEI Consultants of Michigan, 5225 Edgewater Drive, Allendale, MI 49401, 616-384-2710, https://www.geiconsultants.com/
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) permitting restrictions, national holidays and/or weather conditions may influence the timing of treatments. The treatment schedule is approximate. Please watch your property if you are adjacent to planned treatment areas for the posting of the 8.5x11 inch, yellow signs. The signs will indicate the date of the treatment, the products used and any restrictions on the use of treated property.
For more information, contact the Road Commission for Oakland County at 31001 Lahser Road, Beverly Hills, MI 48025; by phone at 877-858-4804; or by e-mail at dcsmail@rcoc.org.