The Rest of the Story. . . .

Hello and glad to be back posting to my blog site. Due to a whole lot of other things in my life that no one has the time to listen to, I have been remiss in posting to Trouble in Native Paradise.  BUT the Phragmite removal project, spearheaded by Oakland Phragmites and Invasive Species Task Force and in conjunction with The City of the Village of Clarkston, Wild Ones, North Oakland Chapter, NOHLC, Deer Lake Homeowners Associations,Independence Township DPW, on Middle Lake, White Lake Road, Depot Park in the City of the Village of Clarkston has marched on.

On May 9, 2013 The City of the Village of Clarkston contracted David Mindell, Plantwise, LLC to burn the biomass of dead Phragmites at Middle Lake. This was the second stage to prepare the Phragmites for the spraying that would take place in late August/September.

                            The signs were placed along White Lake Road to alert the cars driving by.

                          David Mindell and his team of experts were ready for the challenge to burn the phrags.

The fires were strategically lit throughout the stand and within literally minutes the Phragmites were gone. It was actually scary to see how hot and fast and high the fire was. I have a greater respect for the firefighters who fight the fires out West, after seeing this 'controlled burn' and how quickly and how dangerous the flames, heat and smoke was I cant imagine an out of control wild fire.

 When all was said and done, the mission was accomplished. The old dead growth of 2012 was gone. After years of being hidden behind the vegetation of the encroaching phragmites, Middle Lake was visible from White Lake Road. On to step three..... and September.