SWEETWATER FARMS

This page is used to provide updates to the residents of the Sweetwater area of our township.  As new developments occur, they will be posted here.

Area Management

On Thursday, April 28, 2011, Marian, Mat, Steve, and Steve Cataldo spent some time at Sweet Water Farms treating some of the invasive weed and plant species. As we walked we discussed the following which may help to better manage the area directly surrounding the ponds and dams.

Intent – It is our general understanding that the intent of managing the vegetation surrounding the ponds is 2 fold. One to provide an unobstructed  view of the ponds by the surrounding residents and second, to establish a grass buffer to naturally clean and filter the storm water which naturally travels into the ponds and streams.

Existing Conditions – As we walk around all three ponds it is obvious that there are varying conditions around all three which require different mechanical and chemical treatments to achieve the desired end result. Small, young invasive plant and weed species are present in specific areas surrounding the ponds which can be controlled through a low volume back pack application. (species include multiflora rose, thistle, plantain, and buckthorn)

Other areas contain single or multistem ornamental plants and shrubs. In some cases these plants have been removed by mechanically means leaving just a stump or cut stubble. Due to the nature and variety of these plants sucker growth from the root stock or stump re-sprout. (species include birch, beach, willow, cherry, sycamore, ailanthus, sumac, and others.)

Suggested plan of control – Maintaining the low growing invasive weed species is relatively easy through backpack applications as we already have done. The real challenge lies in controlling 4 inch caliper trees and larger. It is our collective contention that this larger plant material needs to be removed. Once removed the stump or stubble needs to be treated to prevent sucker growth. By our estimate considering the number of single and multi-stem trees surrounding these ponds, there could be as many as 15 days involved in their removal. We think this is a task that your crew could accomplish over an extended period of time when the crew is available. This could also involve the possibility of winter work. Once these larger species are removed and the stumps treated you can meet your long term management objectives. If we can control and manage not only the low growing invasive shrubby plant material but the woody tree species as well, this will minimize the competition and allow easier establishment of grasses.

The Geese

For those not in attendance at the recent township meeting,  Gino D'Angelo of the USDA was on hand to review the local geese activities over the past several months and provided a timeline of what will be needed at Sweetwater in the months ahead.  "Timeline for Managing Canada Goose Damage in Pennsylvania" is attached for your review.  

During the past year or so since it's inception, the LST 'Goose Patrol' tried their best to keep the geese contained and their numbers from escalating out of control.  Using USDA approved harassment techniques and equipment and executing an all volunteer registered egg addling program seemed to greatly help.  Since these voluntary efforts helped to manage the growing population, it was not enough to reduce numbers, thus the USDA aided effort.   The 'Roundup' was a success!  As a result, most residents and visitors to the creek were able to enjoy the area without dealing with disgusting aftermath of the once overgrown geese population.

Gino encourages us to keep up the work.  The USDA may not be able to perform the roundup every year.  There are specific federal guidelines which govern this practice and even when met, they are limited by available resources, funding and time.

This is what is known:

A goose, even just one alone in the water, is a calling card to others that an area is safe.  Many migratory birds will visit the area and will look for this welcome sign.  To avoid providing such an open invitation, Gino encourages those with USDA supplied pyrotechnics, also called screamers, to start using them as soon as birds arrive.  Although hundreds of geese may visit this fall,  harassment is the only way to be assured that none will stay.  Thus far only a few geese are in the waterways, but over a few dozen have been sighted recently in places such as the grassy field between Sweetwater Farms the upper walking loop at Playwicki Farm.   If you have a screamer gun and see geese at this or other peripheral locations, please practice your harassment but with caution.  Gino noted to observe where the flocks go after being harassed.  If they fly away, fine, but if they relocate at the ponds, your actions will have failed to yield the desired outcome and further harassment will be required to keep them away.  

All harassment events are to be logged for the State of Penna. which maintains a statewide geese census and harassment log.  Registered users of pyrotechnics will need to provide LSt an activity log which will be compiled and periodically sent to the USDA.

Lasers will also be distributed for night use.  As with pyrotechnic screamers, these will also be registered with LST.

A screamer was issued to another registered resident.  

See the Fact Sheet attached for more info or call LST if there are questions.  More info will appear on the LST website and a future mailing will include some additional information regarding geese control.

As a closing note, our combined efforts have drawn attention to our area and the issue related to geese.  The USDA and LST certainly deserve credit for conducting, assisting and managing all related efforts, while your thanks should also be directed to those volunteers of the Goose Patrol who, with little or no prior experience, have performed very well thus far and will be relied upon by all in Sweetwater to continue this all imporant service for years to come.  If you should see them, doing their job behind you home, please don't hesitate to show them your appreication.