Trail_Fanatic
September 21st, 2006, 07:15 PM
Well I met the DNR Biologist specializing in Karner Blue Butterflies and our Road Commission representative out on Staple Rd to review weather or not the KBB would be positively, negatively, or not at all affected by the reopening of the road. After walking it, their comments were:
The CRC confirmed that they want the road to remain on the books (open).
The DNR admitted that there would be very little, if any, impact on the KBB population that is there. They do, however, want the CRC to have a 'recognized' professional service come in next spring (late May or early June) to survey where the road would actually lie to see if there are any wild Lupine plants in the proposed road bed. If there aren't any Lupine, the road can be reopened immediately at that point. If there are Lupine present, then the road should be relocated around the plants and any work would have to be done in late November or through the winter months so that 'minimal disturbance' to the Lupine would occur. He was also concerned that there were a dozen or more Spotted Knappweed plants on the southern end at White Lake Drive. His concern is that vehicles may carry seeds from this HIGHLY destructive, invasive species into the Lupine stands. I told him and the CRC that I would be MORE THAN WILLING to come out with my wife's little trowel and dig them up by the roots to ensure their COMPLETE removal. They both seemed OK with that offer.
SO
At this point, it looks like we'll have it opened up. It's just a matter of time. It will either be reopened next year in late spring/ early summer or next winter, depending on the Lupine survey results.
The CRC confirmed that they want the road to remain on the books (open).
The DNR admitted that there would be very little, if any, impact on the KBB population that is there. They do, however, want the CRC to have a 'recognized' professional service come in next spring (late May or early June) to survey where the road would actually lie to see if there are any wild Lupine plants in the proposed road bed. If there aren't any Lupine, the road can be reopened immediately at that point. If there are Lupine present, then the road should be relocated around the plants and any work would have to be done in late November or through the winter months so that 'minimal disturbance' to the Lupine would occur. He was also concerned that there were a dozen or more Spotted Knappweed plants on the southern end at White Lake Drive. His concern is that vehicles may carry seeds from this HIGHLY destructive, invasive species into the Lupine stands. I told him and the CRC that I would be MORE THAN WILLING to come out with my wife's little trowel and dig them up by the roots to ensure their COMPLETE removal. They both seemed OK with that offer.
SO
At this point, it looks like we'll have it opened up. It's just a matter of time. It will either be reopened next year in late spring/ early summer or next winter, depending on the Lupine survey results.