Phragmite Eradication
The Town of Slaughter Beach, DNREC and the Delaware Forest Service are currently engaged in a project to reduce and remove non-native phragmites from publicly and privately owned lands within Slaughter Beach. There is no cost to individual property owners for this service.
Non-native Phragmites, also know as common reed is a perennial aggressive wetland grass that out competes native plants, displaces wildlife and is a very susceptible to wild fires. This plant is often found along shorelines, ditches wetlands and marshes within and around the community of Slaughter Beach. Phragmites grow rapidly, and each fall, the stalks of these plants die back creating large concentrations of tinder dry vegetation that increase the potential for fast moving fires that may damage local homes and businesses.
Phragmites can grow tall and fast obscuring views of the marsh and bay. In addition, this plant often grows in dense stands that are difficult to walk through; and harbor insects including ticks, flies and mosquitoes.
Phragmites out compete native vegetation and cause the die back and decline of native plants necessary to support a mix of wildlife within and around our community.
This program may include a mix of activities such as mechanical mowing, herbicide application and short and long-term monitoring of the activities performed and any impacts to the community.
Please sign the Slaughter Beach contract and send it back to the town.
2025-SB-Phrag-Wildfire-Agreement
Please return the Slaughter Beach contract back to:
S.B. Phragmite Program
Town of Slaughter Beach
357 Bay Ave.
Slaughter Beach, Delaware 19963
Please email the Town once the forms have been submitted.
slaughterbeachsignup@comcast.net
NOTICE:
1) The ability of the Town to treat Phragmites on private property is neither implied or guaranteed upon the submittal of the SB Community Contract. Whether the Town can treat is dictated by available funding as well as by the Town’s treatment priorities. 2) The Town ordinance (II.8) and the Sussex County Code, Chapter 80, places the responsibility on the individual landowner (s) to maintain the property per Sussex County Code regardless of the Town’s ability to treat the Phragmites on the property.
