Committee awards native-vegetation management contract for stormwater facilities; herbicide use discussed

The Green Bay Improvement Service Committee on Jan. 15 approved professional services contracts with NES Ecological Services and McMahon Associates Inc. to manage native vegetation at the city’s stormwater facilities.

Public Works staff said the city’s regional stormwater facilities function like wetland/pond systems with specialized native vegetation and require ecologists and consultants for selective maintenance. Staff noted these are not standard mowing operations and that certain invasive species—such as phragmites—require a directed herbicide approach.

A committee member asked whether alternatives to Roundup could be used because of concerns about spraying near water. Staff replied that crews will use “spot application” and hand-directed treatment, not broadcast spraying. Staff explained that for some invasives a direct application of glyphosate to cut stems is the effective method: “Sometimes they don't call it round up, sometimes they call it glyphosate instead,” staff said, adding that the treatments are applied directly to the cut stem rather than broadly to surrounding ground.

Staff said the city enters multi-year agreements but periodically tests the market when a contract expires; staff recommended these firms based on prior performance.

Ending: The committee approved the contract awards and directed staff to execute agreements and monitor performance; staff will provide contract documents and performance details as the work begins.