Phragmites Control Program – Spraying Week of September 21st

Date Posted: Friday, September 18th, 2020

Phragmites is aggressive and can outcompete native marsh grasses.

Phragmites Control Program

On Monday, September 21st at 7:30 a.m. treatment will begin in the area around the levies beginning at the Sailing Club.  This work should take about 2 to 3 hours, and will close the walking path in the area.  On Wednesday, September 23rd there is a scheduled helicopter application of herbicide by and the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Division of Fish and Wildlife Phragmites Control Program beginning with the Gambacorta Marsh. This application should only take 1 to 2 hours. Both these events are subject to change due to weather and will cause intermittent closure of the walking trail in Battery Park on those dates.  Dates and times are subject to change, check the city website and Facebook page for updates.


The targeted plant, Phragmites australis, is a non-native, fast-growing, extremely hardy invasive species. Its extensive rhizome and root system can extend down as deep as three feet and spread out more than 30 feet in a single year. The tall reed with its familiar feathery seedhead has taken over large areas of Delaware wetlands, displacing native plants that provide better food and cover for wildlife. Breaking up stands of invasive phragmites helps restore wetlands by encouraging greater diversity of both plants and wildlife and supporting the reestablishment of native plant species.