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Long Run Seep Addition

Location: Will County, Lockport Township, T36N, R10E, Sec 12
Size of area affected by MSCSF-funded work: 41 acres
Resulting Illinois Nature Preserve Commission Nature Preserve Buffer Dedication: 41 acres
Owner: Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)
Partners: IDNR, USACE, CorLands, Illinois Nature Preserves Commission

Action: Removal of invasive woody species, treatment of herbaceous invasive species.

Summary: East and upstream from the Long Run Seep Nature Preserve is the Long Run Seep Addition property which is also owned by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Before the restoration work funded by the MSCSF was begun, the under story of the oak savannas along the ridges beside the stream were so badly choked with invasive species (mainly buckthorn and honeysuckle) that it was impossible to see Long Run Creek wind through the site. Now a lovely view of Long Run Creek is afforded from the top of the ridges and wetland plant communities have re-emerged along the creek and base of the ridges along the creek.

Intensive cutting with the hydraulic axe, girdling of medium-sized trees and applications of herbicide are responsible for the new views and for the improved health of the savanna and the wetland areas adjacent to the stream. Angelica and certain sedges previously unseen indicate the presence of another fen on site. This area was not discovered until the clearing took place.

Herbaceous invasive control measures on the site have focused on garlic mustard and reed canary grass. Follow-up scouting for buckthorn and honeysuckle resprouts and seedlings also is ongoing. In the spring of 2005 the first prescribed burn of a portion of the site was conducted by the IDNR.

In addition to the restoration activities underway as part of this project, the site is undergoing other changes. In 2002 it was discovered in a routine boundary survey that an adjacent horse farm operation had filled 2.2 acres of IDNR property. The owner incorrectly believed that the property was hers, and was eager to right the situation. It was the worst intrusion ever onto state property. Spending approximately $100,000, the owner has been implementing a plan for mitigation that was agreed upon with IDNR and the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission. It creates a vegetative swale between the farm and the natural area and creates a series of other improvements.