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MEMO <br />To: Park and Recreation Commission <br />From: Mary Saarion �G, <br />Date: 9-21-89 J <br />Subject: Purple Loosestrife and Eurasian Watermilfoil <br />Yesterday, Forester Wriskey and I attended a meeting which <br />gave information regarding Purple Loosestrife and Eurasian <br />Watermilfoil. Here is a brief synopsis regarding these two <br />plants. <br />Purple Loosestrife is a plant which is infesting wetland <br />areas. It tends to take over other native plants such a <br />cattails. It is a pretty, purple flowering plant and is often <br />times confused for other plants and vise versa. The problem with <br />Purple Loosestrife is that it is very prolific and tends to take <br />over an area, choking out other native plants. It does not have <br />any known natural preditors, and chemical treatment of the plant <br />has seen limited results. The plant is difficult to get at and <br />spreads by root, seeds blowing in the wind, seeds dropping and by <br />fowl. <br />Purple Loosestrife has been detected in Mounds View in two <br />places. One location has been along Long Lake Road at the ditch <br />culvert area of Silver View Park. Ramsey County recently came <br />out and chemically treated the plants. The other location found <br />to have Purple Loosestrife has been along the eastern shores of <br />Spring Lake in the middle of a cattail stand. A few days after <br />detection, the plants were gone. Evidently someone physically <br />removed the plants. These plants were growing on private <br />property. <br />The main strategy of attack suggested at this meeting was <br />the education of the hazards of Purple Loosestrife. Staff will be <br />providing information using various media to try to inform the <br />public about the hazards and removal of this plant. <br />Eurasian Watermilfoil is a plant which mats on the top of <br />lakes. It has been detected in twenty lakes in Minnesota. This <br />weed is also very prolific and hearty, but fragile. A paddle <br />wave can break off segments which then multiply. It is <br />transmitted by weed segments on boats, equipment and waterfowl. <br />The City is keeping a watchful eye on Spring Lake, and the City <br />of New Brighton and Ramsey County are doing likewise for Long <br />Lake. <br />If you wish additional information, please call me at <br />784-3055, ext. 20. <br />