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Board hears Baldwin Basin maintenance update; urges better notice to neighbors on herbicide and prescribed-burn work
Summary
Community development staff and board members reviewed recent maintenance of the Baldwin Basin, including Wisconsin DNR-approved herbicide treatments for invasive phragmites, and recommended stronger advance notification to adjoining property owners before herbicide applications and prescribed burns.
Community development staff told the Sustainability Advisory Board on March 3 that City Department of Public Works has been maintaining the Baldwin Basin and that chemical applications used there "have been approved by Wisconsin DNR." Staff also said Public Works provided maintenance logs and that herbicides were applied to control invasive phragmites when the species covered too much area to be controlled by other practices.
Paul Trader, a new board member who introduced himself during the meeting, and other members raised concerns about human and animal exposure and urged clearer advance notice to residents. Emma, community development staff, said Public Works had shared records with the resident who raised concerns and that the city maintains logs of treatments.
Board members emphasized that the basin’s primary role is stormwater detention and that invasive-species control is part of ensuring the basin continues to function. At the same time they recommended improved communication with neighbors and neighborhood associations about planned herbicide applications and prescribed burns, suggesting at least a few days’ notice or a short schedule so adjacent residents are informed in time to take precautions.
Discussion noted that other basins in the city also receive similar treatments. Board members raised longer-term questions about whether heavy chemical use limits future recreational or park-like uses of basins and proposed additional public education about invasive-species control and prairie restoration practices.
Emma read an update from staff that summarized Public Works’ outreach to the concerned resident, the consultant’s review of herbicides used, and the recommendation that adjoining property owners be notified prior to all herbicide/pesticide treatments and prescribed burns. The board asked staff to encourage Public Works to continue using nonchemical practices when feasible, to continue maintaining logs, and to improve advance communication to nearby residents.
No formal city policy change was adopted at the meeting; the board’s direction was to request stronger notice and to continue review of maintenance practices.
