Water Primrose (Ludwigia sp.) is an emergent or floating aquatic invasive species that can be found growing in shallow waters near shorelines. In 2023 water primrose was discovered in Macomb County. That same year the CISMA surveyed 340 acres of lake St. Clair shoreline for primrose, adding to early detection and rapid response efforts for this watch list species. 

The CISMA received roughly $40,000 through an EPA pass through grant with EGLE. The two year project, starting in 2022, will focus on early detection and rapid response survey and treatment for European frog-bit within Lake St. Clair coastal and connecting tributary habitats. To learn more about European frog-bit, click here.

Red Swamp Crayfish (RSC) were discovered in Shelby Township in 2019. In 2021, the CISMA spent an estimated 700 hours performing landowner outreach, surveys and removal efforts. In total, over 450 invasive RSC were removed from local, public waters. 

The CISMA will continue early detection and rapid response efforts in 2022. Specific county drains, ponds, and lakes in Shelby Township will be targeted. Survey and removal efforts can only take place where landowner permission is provided. To learn more about crayfish, click here.

Water lettuce was discovered in the Clinton River Spillway and McBride Drain in 2020. In 2021, the CISMA surveyed almost 140 acres within the Clinton River watershed and removed over 3,300 pounds of invasive water lettuce and water hyacinth from Miller Drain in Macomb Township. To learn more about water lettuce and water hyacinth, click here.

The LSC CISMA submitted a 2022-2024 United States Forest Service Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Cooperative Weed Management Area (USFS GLRI CWMA) proposal under its fiduciary Six Rivers Land Conservancy for the continued treatment of invasive species and native seed restoration along the Red Run Drain. The requested $50,000 was awarded in October 2021 and the project will commence in March 2022.