Frogs delay, rats play — Point Tiburon Marsh condos are caught in the middle

The town of Tiburon will be hiring a contractor to clean up overgrown vegetation at the Railroad Marsh, pictured here Sept. 24. The trimming comes as neighbors at the Point Tiburon Marsh condominiums (background) have said the vegetation has contributed to increased rodent presence and are calling for more sustained vegetation. (Kevin Hessel / The Ark)

Tiburon will remove invasive weeds and plants behind Point Tiburon Marsh condominiums after residents complained the overgrown vegetation is contributing to a rat infestation — a renewed attempt at maintenance after work was halted in October 2023 when a biologist spotted what was believed to be a threatened California red-legged frog.

Lafayette-based DK Environmental & Construction Services Inc. will begin removing emerging aquatic weeds, invasive blackberry bushes and other nonaquatic vegetation this month along the southern edge of Railroad Marsh, which sits off Mar West Street behind the Belvedere-Tiburon Library, Tiburon Town Hall and the 34-unit condo complex on Marsh Road.

That 2023 maintenance work to clear 750 tons of cattails was roughly 70% complete but did not resume following the work stoppage, leaving part of the marsh overgrown. The California red-legged frog is listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act.

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