Shovel Going Into The Ground? Make a Plan

Whether starting to remove invasive plants, doing shoreline restoration, or even planting a new garden, it is always best to start with a plan. Make a sketch of the existing landscape including planting beds, permanent plants and structures. A plan helps save you time and money and avoid costly mistakes. Always call Diggers Hotline at 811 or file a request online at www.DiggersHotline.com at least 3 business days before putting the first shovel in the ground. Once your request is received, this non-profit group contacts all the appropriate underground utilities. They will contact all the appropriate companies who will mark the location of your underground utilities in the designated work area. This reduces the risk of injury and the inconvenience of accidentally knocking out power, cable or other utilities while restoring your landscape. But remember, only public utilities will be marked. Things like propane lines, sewer laterals, sprinkler systems, ornamental lighting, pet training lines, or electric lines to a barn or garage will not be marked. You are responsible for locating these before you start your project.

Invasive species can cause problems on underground lines including gas, internet, power, and sewer. Make sure you don’t cause additional problems as you work to restore your watershed!

Questions? Comments? Contact Chris Acy, the AIS Coordinator covering Brown, Outagamie, Fond du Lac, Calumet, and Winnebago Counties at (920) 460-3674 or chris@fwwa.org!

Follow the Fox Wolf Watershed Alliance on our Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance Facebook page or @fox_wolf_watershed_alliance on Instagram! You can also sign-up for email updates at fwwa.org.

The Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance is an independent nonprofit organization that identifies and advocates effective policies and actions that protect, restore, and sustain water resources in the Fox-Wolf River Basin.

Reporting invasive species is a first step in containing their spread. Maintaining and restoring our waters and landscapes can reduce the impacts even when we don’t have other management options to an invasive species.