Bob, et al.

     The reason they remove the vegetation from the dikes is to maintain 
their integrity(i.e., no openings developing).
Why they used herbicides is another matter.  I assume the reason they did it 
that way was the lack of resources (mainly money). The last time I remember 
they did it they   used the Civilian Conservation Corp to cut the vegetation 
down.
      This has always been my main complaint about how the area is managed. 
DNR waits until things are out of control and then they use drastic 
measures. If they had just mowed the sides of the dikes every year there 
wouldn't be a problem.
      As for lost of habitat, this a minor issue.  The acutal area affected 
was relativey small and I don't think that many birds nest in the sprayed 
area.  I would worry more about the herbicide entering the water, but 
considering how much no-till farming is done at McKee-Beshers WMA the net 
addition wasn't that much.

Paul Woodward
Fairfax City, VA