Kudzu cleanup scheduled for September 28

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The Manchester Parks and Recreation Department will be joined by Coffee County Soil and Water Conservation in cleaning up and removing the invasive plant kudzu from along the Greenway and Little Duck River, across from the Soccer complex, within the Manchester City Parks System Saturday, Sept. 28.

The process will involve a team of volunteers cutting the invasive plant at ground level followed by a team supervisors who will be spot treating the root crown with the herbicide Garlan 3a. Garlan 3a was specifically chosen for its relative safety to aquatic plants and animals and its short biodegradable half-life when coming into contact with water.

The area will not be broadcast sprayed nor will the herbicide be sprayed directly into the river. The Tennessee Department of Environmental Conservation has been notified of the project and the project is also under the advisement of TDEC and The University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Office in Coffee County.

The eradication method chosen has been shown to be greatly effective in the removal of invasive Kudzu by multiple state agencies from around the Southeastern United States. The goal of this project is to protect the native plant communities being threatened by the invasive plant Kudzu and to reclaim the banks of The Little Duck River to increase recreation opportunities along the river system.

For any questions, comments or concerns, please contact Nick Gonder at, Ngonder@cityofmanchestertn.com or call at (931) 728-0273.