July 10, 2008
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Bridge repair is delayed
Single lane daytime traffic restrictions lifted have been lifted on the Hastings bridge pending material delivery
Delays in the delivery of steel needed to continue repairing the Highway 61 Mississippi River bridge in Hastings has led to a suspension of a portion of work on the structure.
Weekday daytime single lane traffic restrictions were suspended early this week but are expected to resume once the materials are delivered. The materials are expected to be on site within the next two weeks.
Repairs to the concrete beams and abutment beneath the south end of the bridge will continue.
Repairs could include additional strengthening of the steel members of the bridge.
Work on the bridge began in April.
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Deputy wardens take on invasive species with education, enforcement
Water Guard Justin Wershofen of the state Department of Natural Resources has yet to run into a belligerent boater though he's been trained for that possibility.
Folks are generally polite and often friendly as Wershofen intercepts them at boat landings to inspect their water craft and bring them up to date on Wisconsin's VHS (viral hemorrhagic septicemia) rules and invasive species laws.
The best situation, Wershofen said, is when someone pulls a boat out of the lake, moves it out of the way and immediately begins draining water and checking their boat and trailer for plant material.
"Those are the good ones," he said. "I'll walk up to them and thank them for what they are doing. Then I'll ask them if they need any more information about the invasive species law."
Wershofen is one of nine deputy wardens hired by the DNR this summer as "water guards." Together with volunteer Clean Boats/Clean Waters inspectors across the state they are a front-line ambassadors in the battle against invasive species and the spread of the fish-killing virus VHS.
The wardens educate boaters and anglers about the rules and demonstrate how to clean boats. Unlike inspectors, however, they have the authority and responsibility to issue warnings and citations.
"Our ultimate goal is to create a climate of compliance with rules designed to prevent the spread of invasive species and VHS through education and deterrence," said Chief Warden Randy Stark.
Recent surveys show more than a decade of efforts by DNR and its partners to educate boaters and anglers about preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species is paying off. Between 80 and 91 percent of boaters now report taking prevention steps, up from about 40 percent a decade earlier.
The deputy wardens, hired as limited-term employees for the summer season, are funded by lawmakers to focus both on educating boaters and enforcing the aquatic invasive rules. Their target is the shrinking number of boaters who choose not to follow the law.
"It may be a small group of people," Stark said, "but people who choose not to follow the law undermine the prevention efforts of all the law-abiding citizens by transporting these things around and causing the damage everyone wants to avoid."
Invasive species like zebra mussels and Eurasian watermilfoil primarily spread to new waters aboard boats and boat equipment. VHS can be transported in water from boats and fishing equipment. The disease can spread as well when live, infected fish are moved from one body of water to another.
This past week, working the landing on Altoona Lake in Eau Claire County, Wershofen encountered one successful fisherman preparing to leave the landing with that evening's dinner, a bunch of bluegills, still swimming around in the live well on his boat.
"He didn't know about not transporting the water," Wershofen said. "He wanted to take it home and put it in his garden."
This practice is no longer legal given the associated risk of disease transmission. Failure to drain the live well is the most frequent violation Wershofen encounters. He can tell which anglers are up to date when they arrive at the landing because they carry coolers full of ice to keep their catches cold.
Also serving the west central region is water guard Ben Mott, working out of Wisconsin Rapids. Both Mott and Wershofen plan to graduate from the University of Wisconsin in December, Mott from Stevens Point, Wershofen from Eau Claire.
Should any of the Water Guards run into trouble, a radio call will bring help quickly. Wershofen said that has not been necessary.
"In our area, so far, we've had very high compliance at the landings when I am there," Wershofen said.
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Mowing critical to minimize the spread of invasive plants
As the seasons change from spring to summer, people will begin to notice more blooming plants along Wisconsin roadsides, but increasing numbers of these plants are invasive species that are crowding out native plants. And as the mowing season moves into high gear, state invasive species specialists caution that the timing of when some invasive species are mowed can make the difference between setting invasive plants back, or spreading them out over an even greater area.
June is designated as Invasive Species Awareness Month in Wisconsin, partially because many invasive plants are most noticeable this time of year. Invasive Species Awareness Month is aimed at helping Wisconsin residents and visitors gain a better understanding of the impact of invasive species on the state's waters, wild lands and agricultural lands.
"Mowing some invasive plants after they have begun to put up flowering stalks, but before seed begins to set can help control some species such as wild parsnip," says Brendon Panke, early detection invasive plant coordinator with the Department of Natural Resources. "Others, such as Canada thistle, need to be mowed prior to flowering as they develop seed very quickly after the flowers open. Once these plants are in the late flowering stage or in seed, mowing them just spreads the seeds, enlarging the infestation."
Here are some invasive plants that are very noticeable this time of year and what Panke says are the best steps for controlling them:
Wild parsnip: This 3- to 6-foot tall plant with yellow flowers in flat tops of 2- to 6-inches across are becoming very common on roadsides and open grasslands. The sap from wild parsnip can cause severe burns and blisters when it gets on exposed skin.
Mowing will not kill parsnip plants, but will reduce seed production. Acting like a biennial, wild parsnip plants will die after flowering. If mowed too early, they will send up new flowering stalks which need to be mowed a few weeks later. If mowed after seeds have begun to form, seeds will develop and spread. For best results try to mow them just after flowering has begun-usually late June/early July.
Poison hemlock: A fairly new invader to Wisconsin, this plant is starting to spread on roadsides in the southern counties. It has lacy fern-like leaves and flowering stalks that reach up to 7 feet with multiple 2- to 4-inch umbrella shaped discs of small white flowers. This plant is highly toxic to both humans and livestock who eat it.
Spring mowing has proven effective in killing mature plants, yet re-growth may occur and new seedlings may continue to establish. A second mow in late summer is recommended to eliminate remaining or subsequent growth. Because poison hemlock seed has been shown to germinate up to three years after dispersal, a third year of mowing may be necessary.
Teasel: Both common teasel and cut-leaf teasel are very easy to recognize by their large spiny oval flowering head that stays upright for more than a year after flowering.
Canada thistle: This noxious weed with multiple small purple flower heads spreads both by seed and by underground rhizomes, or stems.
Mowing, clipping or hand weeding will have minimal effect on eliminating Canada thistle. However, mowing just twice a year, in mid-June and September may reduce or contain its spread. Viable seeds are developed within 8-10 days after flowers open even if it is mowed during flowering. To prevent seed development and spread, mow after flowering stalk has developed but before flower buds open. Mowing while Canada thistle is in flower or seed will cause further spread of seeds.
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Pirates don't let Fish get away
by Jason Strangis
For seven innings on a searing, humid summer afternoon at Firehall Field last Sunday, the Prescott Pirates appeared to be wilting in the heat.
Then, like a rush of cold water, Jon Holt smashed a solo home run over the left field fence to give Prescott new life. It was the start of a four-run eighth inning for the Pirates, who went on to defeat the River Falls Fish 5-3.
It was Prescott's first game in eight days and the team was obviously rusty at the start. In addition, both teams had to deal with scorching conditions.
"It was tough," Prescott player/manager Brady Randolph said. "The humidity sapped our energy."
But the Pirates were able to dig down deep late in the game and come through with a victory, improving their overall record to 13-5 while remaining in first place in the St. Croix Valley League Southern Division with a 7-1 record.
River Falls, which looked in control for much of the game, dropped to 14-12 overall despite plenty of support from its "Fishhead" fans who drove to Prescott to support their team.
The Fish got out to a flying start against the Pirates, taking a 3-1 lead after the second inning. The game remained a pitcher's duel between Prescott's Nick Johnson and River Fall's Luke Meier until the eighth inning. That's when Prescott was finally able to break through and take command.
Following Holt's home run, Meier left the mound and was replaced by River Falls reliever Dan Morgan. But he couldn't prevent Prescott from stealing the lead.
After coming inches away from being called out on a pop fly foul ball near the third-base-line fence, Johnson came through with a clutch hit to tie the game at 3-3.
Chris Terrazas scored from third base after the catcher misplayed a ball behind the plate to give Prescott its first lead, 4-3. Moments later, Randolph got a hit to bring home another run.
Holt pitched the final inning for Prescott, shutting down River Falls in quick order.
Both at the plate and on the mound, Holt earned accolades from his teammates.
"Jon's home run got us going," Randolph said.
It took awhile for things to get cooking for Prescott.
"We were feeling the effects of not playing in eight days," Randolph said. "We knew it would be a tough battle (against River Falls)."
The Pirates will host Elmwood in a doubleheader this Sunday starting at 1 p.m.
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