Project Description

Lorain County has been awarded Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) grant funding in order to control invasive species throughout the Black River watershed. The Project is located in Lorain County, Ohio.

Through this Project, the County seeks to target invasive plant species, including:

• Common reed (Phragmites australis)
• Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)
• Narrow-leaved and hybrid cattail (Typha angustifolia and x glauca)
• Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum)
• Reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea)
• European alder (Alnus glutinosa)

Schedule

The Project is scheduled in phases lasting for a 2-year period and including the following primary components to be implemented by the Black River Civilian Conservation Crew (BRCCC):

• First year: biomass removal and herbicide spraying
• Second year: herbicide spraying and biomass removal
• Native shrub planting and native seeding

Objectives

The primary objective of the Project is to control invasive species throughout the lower Black River riparian area. Removal of invasive species is a key component to the success of restoration activities and the recovery of natural habitat in the Black River. Benefits to natural habitat will be quantified by demonstrating that a Project area has been treated for invasive species.

The County Grant Administrator and Watershed Specialist will be responsible for the implementation of this Project. In addition, personnel from the County's selected contractor, Coldwater Consulting, LLC, will also carry out oversight and management functions.

Our Partners

• Remedial Action Plan (RAP)
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Ohio EPA
• LoCo Yaks
• City of Lorain
• Lorain City General Health District
• Lorain County Storm Water Management District
• Lorain City Development
• Lorain County Board of Commissioners