The
Alabama Cogongrass Control Center (ACCC) is a publicly-funded project whose
mandate is to control cogongrass through several strategies across Alabama.
This project is administered through Larson & McGowin, Inc. and the Alabama
Forestry Commission. If you have cogongrass on your land and wish to
participate, it will be helpful to know how the project works and which
program for which you’ll need to apply.
Cogongrass [Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beuv.] is a warm-season,
perennial grass that originates from Asia. It was first introduced into the
United States through Mobile in the early 1900’s as packing material for
oranges. The leaves can reach 5 feet in length but are typically shorter.
They are easily recognized by their sharp edges and middle, whitish midrib
that is slightly off-center. Their belowground root system is extensive,
growing as a solid, dense mat of underground stems called rhizomes.
Cogongrass typically grows in a circular pattern from small patches to many
acres. Cogongrass can grow in open areas and under the shade of a forest.
Though there are some other grasses that have these characteristics, taken
as a whole these characteristics can be used to recognize it.
Cogongrass is currently found in 32 of the 67 counties in Alabama (view
infestation map). It is likely to be in more counties, but, has not been
identified because of the limited resources available to assess
infestations. Cogongrass is primarily found in Alabama’s southern counties.
Because of this, the ACCC has divided the state into 2 zones and will
implement multiple strategies to better gain control of this plant.
Currently, US Highway 80 is the demarcation line between the 2 zones. This
highway generally traverses west-east from Demopolis to Phenix City. In Zone
One (north of US Highway 80) the ACCC will attempt to eradicate cogongrass
entirely. In Zone Two (south of US Highway 80) the ACCC will perform control
and mitigation activities depending on the program in which you are
enrolled.
Treatment programs will begin in 2010. When you apply for participation
you will choose one program with eligibility depending upon your property’s
location. Each program will involve some measure of detection and mapping
followed by treatment and monitoring over time. In all cases the landowner
can enter into a separate agreement with the spray vendor to treat
additional acreage at the landowner’s expense. The programs are:
Program 1 – Detect and Eradicate – In this program
infested lands north of US Highway 80 will be sprayed by teams traveling
across the region. If you live north of US Highway 80 you are eligible for
this program. The ACCC will attempt to eradicate cogongrass from this zone
entirely.
Program 2 – Control and Mitigate – If you own property
in Zone 2 (south of US Highway 80) and near the state’s borders with
Georgia, Florida, and Mississippi you are eligible for Program 2. The map
provided on our website shows the areas that will be applicable to this
program. If you aren’t sure if your property would fall in this category,
contact the Program Coordinator or the Communications Director so that we
can make this determination. We will give the highest priority to
infestations along the Georgia border followed by the Mississippi and
Florida borders (in that order).
Program 3 – Underserved And Limited Income Landowners –
If you own property in the following counties lying south of US Highway 80:
Sumter, Choctaw, Marengo, Hale, Perry, Dallas, Wilcox, Lowndes, Montgomery,
Bullock, Macon, Russell, and Barbour—you may be eligible to participate in
this program. Priority will be given to those landowners with 100 acres or
less, and spraying will be limited to 10 acres with highest priority along
boundaries and roads.
Program 4 – Stop The Spread – If you own property within
5 miles south of US Highway 80 you are eligible for this program. The
objective of this program is to create a belt of protection between Zones 1
and 2, focusing on infestations that have migrated off of contaminated roads
and rights-of-way.
Program 5 – Threatened and Endangered Species Habitat
Protection – If your property contains species that are designated as
critically imperiled (G1) or imperiled (G2) and are threatened by cogongrass
you may be eligible for this program. We will coordinate with public
agencies and private companies to provide supervision, labor, and
applications. Species information can be obtained through the Alabama
Natural Heritage Program (www.alnhp.org),
the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (www.fws.gov),
and private conservation organizations.
Program 6 – Landowner Lottery – If your property is
within Zone 2 you are encouraged to apply for this program. This will be a
lottery-selected mapping and control program that will begin in 2010.
Selected landowners will have their property mapped for cogongrass. Selected
properties will have up to 10 acres treated with first priority along roads
and boundaries.
Although the goal of the ACCC is to eradicate cogongrass entirely within
the state and assist every landowner who applies, ARRA-supported funding is
limited, requiring a judicious strategy for implementation. We have devised
a simple priority system within each ACCC program to help as many landowners
as possible and have the greatest long-term effect. These programs are
evolving and additional opportunities may arise in the future. Please check
back regularly with us for more information and updates.
For more details on the ACCC and its programs, go to
www.alabamacogongrass.com, send an email to us at
info@albabamacogongrass.com,
or contact the ACCC directly (334-240-9348). At this time we are not
receiving applications but requesting contact information; these forms can
be downloaded on our website. In 2010 we will begin accepting applications
for all programs.
Additional Resources:
-
General Program
Information for Landowner (FAQs)
-
Cogongrass Field Guide (pdf)
-
How to Identify Cogongrass - (video)
-
Stop Cogongrass Hitchhikers
(pdf)
Additional Links:
Alabama Cogongrass Control Center |
Alabama Invasive Plant Council
|
Cogongrass.org
|
Invasive.org
Funding Received
Through ARRA