Photos courtesy of Keeley O'Connell
People For Puget Sound

New Spartina infestation discovered during citizen shoreline survey

The invasive salt grass, Spartina anglica, was discovered during a citizen shoreline survey on Guemes Island in July. This is the first known infestation to be found on Guemes Island. Spartina was introduced to the northwest in the 1960s to stabilize dikes, but it has spread aggressively throughout Puget Sound. It destroys habitats for shellfish, shorebirds and salmon. Spartina control is required by Washington State and is carried out under the supervision of the WA State Dept. of Agriculture.

The shoreline survey conducted by People For Puget Sound and the Guemes Island Planning Advisory Committee collects information on the condition of the shoreline and provides data to promote healthy habitats. Citizen surveys are often the only way to collect baseline data to identify conditions that existed prior to an oil spill, identity pollution problems or infestations of problematic weeds.

The survey on Guemes Island will continue through the end of summer, to be involved contact Starla Delorey at People For Puget Sound, sdelorey@pugetsound.org or (206) 382-7007.

- Keeley O'Connell, 8.15.5

What is Spartina and why is it a problem in Puget Sound?

Spartina angelica is an invasive (non-native) salt-tolerant weed that was introduced from Europe in the 1960’s. It was brought over for dike stabilization and cattle feed.

Unfortunately, it aggressively displaces native vegetation, disrupts shorebird and juvenile salmon foraging areas, and impacts shellfish habitat. It has found Puget Sound to be quite comfortable and grows in nearly all of our unique shoreline habitats. Currently, there are approximately 760 solid acres of Spartina in Puget Sound, with 350 acres located in Island County, and 30 acres located in Skagit County. Left untreated, Spartina could cause irreversible damage to the nearshore environment of Puget Sound. Spartina is easy to remove when it’s young, but after a year or two, the roots are very deep and difficult to dig up.

Where will I find Spartina?

Spartina angelica has adapted itself to grow in a variety of tide-influenced locations, such as mud flats, salt marshes, sand or cobble beaches. Its ideal growing environment would be in a protected soft-bottom bay with some freshwater influence. Spartina angelica is not found in upland areas or on rocky headlands.

How can citizens become involved in removing Spartina in Puget Sound?

People For Puget Sound and our partners will be hosting community dig events in Island and Skagit County this summer, as well as presenting at several workshops throughout the north Sound. We will be training citizens in identification, and removal methods. Please consider joining us for “Dig Days” on July 23rd and August 6th for some tough, but rewarding Spartina removal!

If you believe that you have Spartina growing on your shoreline property, or know of public places where Spartina is growing, please give one of the following numbers a call! The public plays a crucial role in the fight to eradicate Spartina, and the more eyes we have looking for this sneaky weed, the better our chances of finding every last plant and removing it!

People For Puget Sound, North Sound Office at 360.336.1931, www.pugetsound.org

Skagit Noxious Weed Control Board 360.336.9430

Island County Noxious Weed Control Board 360.679.7327