Nady Committee plans improvements to timbers around Pleasant Lake

FAIRFIELD — Members of the Nady Committee addressed the Fairfield City Council Monday night about planned improvements around Pleasant Lake, on the north side of Fairfield.

Cassidy Robinson, district forester for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, told the council about money from the DNR that can go toward improving bat habitat and controlling invasive species around Pleasant Lake. She said the DNR is willing to contribute up to $10,000 during a three-year period.

Robinson said the DNR is trying to increase bat habitat because they are a declining and endangered species.

The Nady Committee, formed to manage Fairfield’s Nady Prairie Park west of Pleasant Lake, approved this project during its meeting March 16, and agreed to spend money from its own funds to cover expenses beyond the $10,000 from the DNR.

Mayor Connie Boyer asked if the project would encompass the area around Waterworks Park and Bonnifield Lake. Robinson said the project will cover 14.9 acres, and that it was just on the northeast side of Pleasant Lake, and not around Bonnifield Lake.

Robinson explained that controlling invasive species is expensive because it is so labor-intensive. She said it will cost $500 per acre in the first year, $150 per acre in the second year and $100 per acre in the third year.

“I’m hoping the bids come in below that so we can add acres,” Robinson said.

Council member Doug Flournoy asked how invasive plants are removed. Robinson said the main way is to cut each individual stump with a chain saw and treating the stump with an herbicide so it doesn’t resprout.

“If you cut it and don’t treat it, it will just resprout and you basically wasted your elbow grease and time,” Robinson said.

Robinson said spot spraying is done in years two and three, and sometimes hand-pulling is sufficient in the final year.

Flournoy asked if the plan was to remove all invasive species in the acreage. Robinson said invasive species constitute about 60 percent of the plants on that side of Pleasant Lake, which is considered “very heavy.” Robinson said the goal is to reduce that figure to 10 percent or less by the end of the third year of management.

“Eradication is not the goal because that is not realistic,” Robinson said.

Robinson said that the acreage can also be maintained through controlled burns every five years.

The Nady Committee plans to remove invasive species on an acreage west of Pleasant Lake, between the lake and Nady Prairie Park. This will involve removing undesirable species such as honeylocust and white mulberry to make room for crop trees such as oaks, hickories and walnuts. Robinson said these improvements on the west side of Pleasant Lake will be paid for through Nady funds, not the DNR grant.

The council voted unanimously to approve the Nady Committee’s application for DNR funds.

Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com