Photo by Kirk Scott

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Grey County Council is declaring war on phragmites.

The invasive species is causing huge problems along the Lake Huron and Georgian Bay shoreline.

West Grey Mayor Kevin Eccles says now phragmites are moving inland along riversides and municipal drains.

“What happens is the municipal drains are there to get water away and prevent flooding and increase crop production, but once you get this stuff in there all of a sudden it just becomes a choke and the drains aren’t working,” says Eccles.

Owen Sound has a real problem with phragmites in the Kelso Beach area, even though work was done two years ago to control it.

“It’s getting to be like a jungle again,” says Owen Sound Deputy Mayor Arlene Wright. “You can’t get to the shore. There was a time when you could walk right down there and you’d see people standing along there fishing you can’t get there now anymore.”

Grey County councillors have asked staff to come up with a report on the extent of the phragmite problem and what can be done about it. They also want more involvement from provincial and federal officials.