Grand Forks Approves $269,235 Equipment Purchase for Vegetation Control

The city of Grand Forks has approved the purchase of a $269,235 amphibious vehicle known as the Marsh Master, aimed at managing overgrown vegetation and sedimentation in city-owned water bodies, including ponds, ditches, and wetlands. The decision was made by the Grand Forks City Council on October 20, 2023, as part of an initiative to enhance land management practices around critical areas, particularly those impacting aviation safety at the nearby Grand Forks International Airport.

Veronica Batalia, the city’s Environmental Specialist, emphasized that the Marsh Master is specifically designed for use in challenging landscapes where conventional mowing equipment cannot operate effectively due to water or high moisture levels. This vehicle is manufactured by a Louisiana-based company and features various attachments tailored for different vegetation management tasks. These include a hydraulic cutter for thick grass, a roller chopper for cattails, and a vegetation blade that helps prepare the area for cutting.

Batalia initially sought information on the Marsh Master for land management around the wastewater treatment plant, where tall cattails and dense vegetation have become a nesting ground for waterfowl and geese. This situation presents safety concerns for aircraft operations at the airport.

The vehicle’s capabilities offer a wide range of potential applications. “The way we use this machine for land management is really only limited by our imagination,” Batalia remarked.

Funding and Implementation Timeline

The total cost of the Marsh Master includes attachments, a transport trailer, and delivery fees. Funding for the equipment will be sourced from several city departments, such as stormwater, wastewater treatment, water distribution, and flood protection. Batalia noted that the anticipated delivery date for the vehicle is August 2026, with operational use expected to commence in September of the same year.

The Marsh Master is not unfamiliar to the Grand Forks area, as it is already employed by the Grand Forks Air Force Base for similar land management tasks. Earlier this year, city employees had the opportunity to test the vehicle, gaining insights into its effective use from the base’s personnel. Batalia acknowledged the effort from Air Force staff to demonstrate the Marsh Master’s capabilities around the airfield, where traditional landscaping tools are impractical.

Broader Applications and Environmental Considerations

The Marsh Master will primarily be utilized by the city’s Water Department, although Batalia indicated that other departments, such as the Park District, might also benefit from its use. The vehicle’s functions will address various city-owned properties and wetlands needing maintenance.

Melanie Parvey, the city’s water works director, highlighted that the equipment will serve multiple areas, including the Wastewater Treatment Plant, the Stormwater Division, and the Water Maintenance Division, as well as regions within the city’s flood protection system. One specific area identified for potential use is the English Coulee diversion channel, which has undergone previous restoration efforts through initiatives aimed at enhancing urban habitats.

While the city has considerable latitude in managing vegetation at local water bodies, Batalia emphasized the importance of conducting thorough research and surveys before undertaking any significant environmental alterations. “Every environment is different and is subject to research prior to any drastic changes to operate within legal limits,” she stated.

Batalia also mentioned the possibility of expanding the vehicle’s applications to other city-owned wetlands with overgrown vegetation, such as Ryan Lake near the King’s Walk Golf Course. As the city moves forward with this initiative, careful attention to ecological balance will remain a priority.