Shorebird habitat and encroaching Spartina.
photo by Keith Lazelle 

Key congressional committee approves $1 million for Spartina eradication in Willapa Bay

Naselle, WA—10/31/03—The Nature Conservancy of Washington applauded the decision by a congressional conference committee to appropriate $1 million to continue efforts to remove thousands of acres of spartina from Willapa Bay. Spartina, or cordgrass, is a fast-growing and fast-spreading weed that is taking over the inter-tidal mudflats and native salt marshes of Willapa Bay, destroying habitat for thousands of shorebirds, waterfowl, and other estuarine-dependent animals.

The funds are part of Congress’ Interior Appropriations bill, which a conference committee comprised of members of the House and Senate approved late Monday. It goes before the House today and to the Senate later this week for final passage and then to President Bush for his signature. The president is expected to sign the bill.

The funds will go to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which owns and manages the 13,600-acre Willapa National Wildlife Refuge and is leading the effort to eradicate spartina from the bay. The appropriation will mark the second year in a row that Congress has funded spartina eradication efforts in Willapa Bay.

Refuge managers say the funding has already made a significant difference. Spartina currently covers about 12,000 acres of the bay’s tidelands and has been increasing steadily over the past several years. Last year, for the first time since spartina took hold, the Fish and Wildlife Service and state agencies, among others, fighting the noxious weed were able to reduce the infestation, according to Charlie Stenvall, project leader for the Willapa refuge. All told, they treated about 5,000 acres, a portion of which will need to be retreated to ensure eradication, Stenvall said.

"We took out more than a third of the spartina. That’s huge," Stenvall said. "For the first time, there’s a sense of optimism in the community about our ability to save Willapa Bay. It will be incredibly hard, but it’s not impossible if we have the resources to do it."

The Conservancy, which has been advocating on behalf of spartina-eradication for several years, said the support of Sen. Patty Murray and U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks has proven critical in securing much-needed funds to fight spartina. U.S. Rep. Brian Baird has also helped in this effort. Invasive weeds such as spartina are one of the most serious threats to our state’s natural lands because of the way these non-native plants can completely displace native habitat and the species that depend on that habitat.

"The community effort to restore Willapa Bay is inspiring," said Sen. Murray. "I’m thrilled this funding will allow the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to continue to do its part. The Service and community deserve credit for their cooperative and aggressive approach to the problem."

If left unchecked, experts believe spartina could eventually occupy 56,000 acres of the 80,000 acres of Willapa Bay, completely destroying inter-tidal mudflats and native salt marshes critical to thousands of migrating and year-round birds, several fish species, and the area’s oyster and clam aquiculture industry. During spring and fall migrations, more than 100,000 shorebirds feed at Willapa, making it one of the top 10 coastal habitats for shorebirds between the Copper River Delta in Alaska and Mexico.

The refuge has sought the funds as part of a six-year integrated plan to eradicate spartina from Willapa Bay, using some of the best and latest technology in weed-control. Funds from the last congressional appropriation, for instance, were used to purchase an amphibious rototiller, an amphibious precision sprayer, and three airboats—all of which enabled partners to more effectively and consistently target the noxious weed.

The Nature Conservancy, which is dedicated to protecting the Earth’s biological diversity, considers Willapa Bay one of the largest, cleanest, and ecologically most important bays along the West Coast. The Conservancy is also working to protect the Ellsworth Creek watershed, which feeds into Willapa Bay. The Conservancy recently purchased nearly the entire 5,000-acre watershed and is now removing old logging roads, undertaking amphibian studies, and engaged in other efforts to restore this important coastal temperate rainforest.

Tom Kollasch, the Conservancy’s Ellsworth forest manager, said he is heartened by the strides the community is making in turning the tide on spartina.

"Spartina is a huge and seemingly daunting problem. The only way we’ll be successful is if the community, lawmakers, and conservationists work together," he said. "I’m deeply grateful to Sen. Murray, Rep. Dicks, Rep. Baird, and everyone else who has been willing to step forward to help protect a place that it so important to our region’s ecological and economic health."