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LISMA asks South End trustees to continue underwater cutting to control phragmites at Long Pond
Summary
Cassidy Robinson of the Long Island Invasive Species Management Area asked trustees for permission to continue manual underwater cutting and monitoring of phragmites at Long Pond Greenbelt, citing a long-term decline in stems and an active DEC permit through December 2026.
Cassidy Robinson, conservation area manager for the Long Island Invasive Species Management Area (LISMA), told the South End Township trustees on July 13 that LISMA is requesting permission to continue manual underwater cutting and monitoring of phragmites at the Long Pond Greenbelt. Robinson said LISMA has an active New York State DEC permit through December 2026 and can reapply as needed.
"We currently have a New York State DEC permit active until December 2026," Robinson said, asking the board to permit continued cutting below the waterline and to allow monitoring for other aquatic invasive species.
Robinson described the central phragmites stand at Long Pond and said stem counts have fallen sharply since management began in 2021. She said the central stand totaled 910 stems at the start of management and that recent counts have been in single digits for the center stand: "in the last 2 years, we've seen only 10 stems and 8 stems." She cautioned that occasional stem spikes can reflect stressed plants producing multiple stems.
Robinson explained LISMA's primary technique at Long Pond is underwater cutting, a method intended to sever the plants below the waterline and suppress regrowth. "We use this raspberry cane cutter tool and reach into the water and cut it below the water line," she said, describing the approach as adapted from the Great Lakes Phragmites Collaborative.
Trustees asked whether LISMA's work is restricted to the polygons shown on its maps and how the program is funded. Robinson said the maps are "predesignated" prevention zones used as guidelines and that LISMA is funded by the New York State Environmental Protection Fund administered by DEC.
Robinson said LISMA aims to continue monitoring and follow-up control at the center stand and work with partners including the trustees and the Friends of Long Pond Greenbelt. She closed by inviting questions and offering to continue consultations with the board and residents.
Next steps: LISMA requested written permission for cutting and monitoring; trustees read a resolution later in the meeting authorizing a letter of permission for phragmites removal.
