SitNews - Stories in the News - Ketchikan, Alaska

Viewpoints: Letters / Opinions

Thank you to Ketchikan Solid Waste facility

By Victoria McDonald

 

July 16, 2016
Saturday PM


As one of many Ketchikan citizens concerned about tansy ragwort, orange hawkweed, Japanese knotweed,and Scotch broom, we deeply appreciate the Solid Waste facility acceptance of hundreds of pounds of tansy ragwort. Dorica Jackson and I have taken close to 600 pounds from the Fawn Mountain area with another 300 pounds needing to be pulled. One local man has taken hundreds of pounds pulled from the Carlanna area. Wolfe Point is infested where 125 pounds have been removed.

The north end of Ketchikan is most heavily infested; a pulling party is taking place at 10:00 on Friday and Saturday with groups meeting at the Ward Cove post office. One State ferry worker has pulled close to 600 pounds on her property in the Ward Cove area.

This year the Forest Service hired a local botanist, Karen Hutten, to co-ordinate folks who recognize the dangers of invasive plants. Tansy contains a toxic compound responsible for livestock mortality that could be fatal to Sitka black tail deer.

Japanese knotweed is extremely difficult to eliminate; it pushes salmonberries out of the way, clogging waterways and lowering the quality of habitat for fish. Orange hawkweed is everywhere, pushing out native plants.

Our group, the CWMA, (Cooperative Weed Management Area) is applying for grants to further our efforts. We have monthly meetings and welcome those who want to protect our native plants and animals.

Victoria McDonald
Ketchikan, Alaska

Received July 15, 2016 - Published July 16, 2016

About: "Concerned citizen about extent of invasive plants found in Ketchikan"

 

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