Grosse Pointe Farms to Address Accretion at Lake's Edge

The invasive plants that have grown steadily at the edge of Lake St. Clair near will be eradicated and replaced with low-growing native plants if the long-term plan developed by officials works.

City Manager Shane Reeside announced the project Monday to city council, explaining that Councilman Lev Wood had spearheaded the effort to revitalize the plan. This is the second time the city is attempting to address the area, which many believe is unsightly and detracts from the view of the lake.

Wood and Reeside met with officials from Michigan Department of Environmental Quality last month to discuss their plan and receive its approval before proceeding, Reeside said.

The area has grown more aggressively in the last few years as invasive plants have grown taller and had more area to grow with lower water levels in the lake, Reeside said to Patch. Heavier accretion has been in that particular area of the shoreline for two decades or so, he said.

The plan includes treating the area with an herbicide as early as later this month, performing a controlled burn of the area early next year and then treating it with another round of herbicide in the middle of next year.

The objective is to be able to clear out the invasive species and either allow native, natural vegetation to take over the area or to plant low-growing, more aesthetically pleasing but native plants there, Reeside said. Planting could begin sometime in 2013 depending on how the eradication plan evolves, he said.

Councilman Peter W. Waldmeir questioned spending the money on the herbicide treatment when this project began before but was never completed. He questioned how officials intend to ensure the project is followed up on and actually reaches completion.

Reeside said during the previous attempt, money became a problem and the project was dropped part way through as a result. He said that would not be the case this time and that the long-term plan will keep it on track.

Councilman Wood, who first re-invigorated the idea, also promised to Waldmeir and other councilmembers to stay on top of the project and keep it moving.