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HomeMy WebLinkAboutC11-168 Weed Mangement Plan EAGLE COUNTY NOXIOUS WEED MANAGEMENT PLAN Adopted by the Board of County Commissioners Y ' 7 , 2011 Resolution No. 2011-R4/05T 1 61 (-- • 16- EAGLE COUNTY NOXIOUS WEED MANAGEMENT PLAN TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION I. INTRODUCTION A. Mission Statement B . Statement of Weed Problem . Purpose and Goals of Plan . Definitions . Enactment Authority . Eagle County Noxious Weed List SECTI N II. PLAN OF WORK A. Objectives and Goals B. Prevention and Detection C. Education and Awareness 0. Land Stewardship E. Re- vegetation and Rehabilitation E. Mapping and Inventory SECTION III. ENFORCEMENT A. Administration/Enforcement O. Duty to Manage Noxious Weeds C. Management -Weeds Designated for Eradication . Management- Private Lands . Management - Public Lands . Failure to Comply - Public Nuisance SECTION IV. PLAN EVALUATION SECTI N V. PRIOR ACTS VALIDATED SECTI N VI. REPEAL CONFLICTING PROVISIONS 2 SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION A. Mission Statement There is a need to ensure that lands within unincorporated Eagle County, whether in private or public ownership, are protected by and subject to the jurisdiction of Eagle County which is empowered to manage undesirable plants as designated by the State of Colorado and Eagle County. Certain undesirable plants constitute a present threat to the continued economic and environmental value of the lands in Eagle County and must be managed. The intent of the Colorado Noxious Weed Act and the mission of Eagle County are to implement a Noxious Weed Management Plan ( "Plan ") to stop the spread of and to manage noxious weeds. In developing the Plan consideration has been given to the elements of integrated management as well as all appropriate and available control and management methods, seeking those methods which are least environmentally damaging and which are practical and economically reasonable. (C.R.S. 35 -5.5 -102) B. Statement of the Weed Problem Several alien plants which have been legally designated as noxious weed species are negatively impacting the economic and environmental value of land in Eagle County. They are rapidly displacing desirable vegetation causing a loss of productive grazing and recreational resources. Without an effective integrated weed management plan these aggressive plants will continue to degrade land within Eagle County. Thousands of acres of land in Eagle County are already infested with list "A ", `B" and "C" noxious weed species which are more fully described below. Experts in weed science estimate this figure increases fifteen percent annually if no control measures are imposed. Such an increase in weed population is a serious threat to the agricultural, economic and environmental value of land in Eagle County. The noxious weed problem in Eagle County is of concern not only to the agricultural community, but to urban communities, the smaller landowner community, recreational land users and public lands managers as well. Problem areas include: Road sides, railroad lines, housing subdivisions, lands within municipalities, private property, state and federal lands. 3 C. Puriose and Goals of Plan The purose of this Plan is to implement the Colorado Noxious Weed Act by identifying integrat management options for designated noxious weeds. Options include education, prevent ive measures, and good stewardship and control techniques. The Colorado Noxious Weed A t requires that the local governing authority adopt a Plan for the unincorporated lands within the county (C.R.S. 35 -5.5 -105). The goals of the Plan include: 1. ompliance with and implementation of the Colorado Noxious Weed Act. 2. plementation of a county -wide integrated management program that addresses the ' ollowing elements: a. awareness, education and training; b. prevention and detection; c. inventory, survey and mapping; d. integrated control (biological, chemical, cultural and mechanical); e. monitoring and evaluation; f. reporting; g. management strategy /annual operating plan. 3. Foster a spirit of cooperation among landowners within Eagle County (federal, tribal, state, county, municipal or private land) by working with these stakeholders to institute integrated management. D. Defiiitions All definitions used within this Plan shall have the same meaning as set forth in the Colorado Noxious Weed Act C.R.S. 35 -5.5 -101 et. seq. In addition, as used in this Plan: 1, "Authorized Agent" means the agent(s), delegate(s) or employee(s) tasked with administering the duties and requirements of Plan. 2; "Board of County Commissioners" shall mean the Eagle County Board of County Commissioners. E. Ena ment Authority ot The Col rado Noxious Weed Act (C.R.S. 35 -5.5 -101 et.seq.) was signed into state law in 1990 and amended in 1996. The Colorado Noxious Weed Act directs the Board of County 4 Commissioners of each county to adopt a noxious weed management plan for all unincorporated land within the county (C.R.S. 35 -5.5 -105). The Act directs the Board of County Commissioners to appoint a local Weed Advisory Board, whose power and duties are as follows (C.R.S.35 -5.5- 105): 1. Develop a noxious weed list; 2. Develop a noxious weed management plan for managing designated noxious weeds; 3. Recommend to the Board of County Commissioners that identified landowners be required to submit an integrated weed management plan for managing designated noxious weeds on their properties. The Board of County Commissioners is authorized to and hereby appoints itself to act as the Eagle County Weed Advisory Board for unincorporated Eagle County pursuant to C.R.S. 35-5.5 - 105. F. Eagle County Noxious Weed List The State of Colorado has three noxious weed lists designated by rule of the Colorado Department of Agriculture. "List A" means rare noxious weed species that are subject to eradication wherever detected statewide in order to protect neighboring lands and the state as a whole; "List B" means noxious weed species that are subject to eradication, containment, or suppression in portions of the state designated by the commissioner in order to stop the continued spread of these species; and the third or "List C" means widespread and well - established noxious weed species for which control is recommended but not required by the state although local governing bodies may require management (C.R.S. 35 -5.5 -108). Designation. The Eagle County Designated Noxious Weed List includes those noxious weeds identified by the Commissioner on List "A ", "B" and "C ". A list of the noxious weeds designated by Eagle County is attached hereto as Exhibit "1 ". Management techniques and detailed information for each weed can be found at: www.colorado.gov /cs/ Satellite / Agriculure- Main/CDAG/1174084048733 The Board of County Commissioners, after consultation with the Eagle County Weed Advisory Board may elevate the status of any `B" List noxious weed or "C" List noxious weed that is located within unincorporated Eagle County from the `B" or "C" Lists to that of an "A" or `B" List weed as deemed necessary. The Board of County Commissioners may at any time apply to the Commissioner for a waiver of compliance with an eradication designation set forth by the Commissioner for any particular "A" List noxious weed or `B" List noxious weed designated for 5 eradication in Eagle County, pursuant to the terms of C.R.S. 35- 5.5- 108.5(3)(c). If such waiver is approlved, the noxious weed in question shall be reclassified as either a "B" or "C" List weed as may be determined by the Board of County Commissioners. Design tion of Other Weeds. The Board of County Commissioners may declare additional noxious weeds within its boundaries after a public hearing with thirty days' notice to the public. The control of noxious weeds shall be the responsibility of every landowner in unincorporated Eagle County. Technical advice and support will be provided by Eagle County Weed and Pest Department and the Colorado State University Cooperative Extension office. SECTION II PLAN OF WORK A. Obictives and Goals 1. Carry out weed control practices on Eagle County owned lands and rights -of -way. 2. Educate the public concerning weed management issues including increasing public 4wareness of the Colorado Noxious Weed Act. 3. Educate residents by coordinating workshops, scheduling landowner consultations, Maintaining an internet web page, writing press releases for local media and providing ether miscellaneous noxious weed education. 4. Poster a spirit of cooperation among federal, state and local government agencies and Orivate landowners. Enter into intergovernmental agreements with federal agencies, state agencies and local governing bodies to maximize weed management efforts. Enter into cooperative agreements or contracts with non - governmental organizations interested in e nvironmental protection in regard to noxious weed management. 5. Work with other government agencies and departments to institute "Best Management Practices" and/or policies that stress prevention as a weed management tool. 6. romote and use integrated management techniques. 7. stablish and maintain healthy plant communities with native or beneficial vegetation. 8. evelop and implement re- vegetation guidelines in cooperation with other county tities. 9. Restore and maintain desirable plant communities, healthy ecosystems, and productive agricultural lands in unincorporated Eagle County. 10. Stop the spread of noxious weeds to uninfested lands. 11. pdate existing noxious weeds GIS layer and distribute population information through e Eagle County website to encompass federal, state, county, municipal and private land oldings. 6 12. Contain heavily infested areas and encourage the implementation of noxious weed control activities on all infested acreage within unincorporated Eagle County to prevent spread and reduce population density. 13. Conduct biological control releases, when appropriate. B. Prevention and Detection Prevention is best accomplished by ensuring that new weed species seed or vegetative reproductive plant parts of weeds are not introduced into new areas and by early detection of any new weed species before they become widespread. Strategies to prevent the introduction or establishment of noxious weeds in areas not already infested include: 1. Identification and eradication of. small, new infestations. 2. Continuous monitoring and evaluation to prevent recurrence. 3. Identification of existing conditions, disturbances, and activities that represent a potential threat to native habitat. 4. Identification of recently introduced weed species that represent a future threat. 5. Timely re- vegetation and reclamation of disturbed sites using appropriate native plant species. 6. The use of weed free seeds and mulch. 7. Countywide promotion of the Colorado Weed Free Hay and Forage Program. 8. Prioritization of weed management along areas of entry and dispersal. 9. Discouraging the sale of weedy ornamental plants and seed packets that contain weeds. 10. Review Eagle County Land Use Regulations including, building codes, to identify and recommend strategies to promote healthy native vegetation, C. Education and Awareness Education must play a major role in implementing this Plan. Groups targeted for public education include the following: farmers and ranchers, homeowners associations, private citizens, developers, gardeners, landscapers, nurseries, public and private land management agencies, recreational users, schools and utility companies. A partnership of the public and private sectors, along with awareness of what noxious weeds are and the problems they cause, is essential to maintain or create plant communities that are free of noxious weeds. Knowledge about how to identify weeds, how and where weeds have spread, and what it takes to manage weeds, is needed. Continuation and expansion of current educational programs as well as the development of new programs is a priority of the Plan. Opportunities for education include: 7 1. Widespread distribution of informative printed material. 1. Offering weed tours and talks to the public. 3. Private applicator certification, applicator safety and laws /regulations. 4. Proper calibration of spraying equipment. Contacting area nurseries, landscapers and landscape architects to emphasize problems created by ornamentals. E. Cooperation with local media to disseminate weed information. J. Custom weed management recommendations for individual landowners. D. Land Stewardship The Col rado Noxious Weed Act requires that all property owners use integrated methods to manage ioxious weeds. Weed management must be ongoing, requiring an integrated approach in which proper land stewardship practices are utilized. Most weed species, if detected early can be managed. E. Re- viegetation and Rehabilitation A crucial part of any weed management plan is the reintroduction of appropriate vegetation. AssistanOe in preparing an effective re- vegetation plan can be obtained through the Natural Resource Conservation Service or the Colorado State University Cooperative Extension. F. Maping and Inventory Mapping is a valuable tool in integrated weed management. The primary goal of mapping will be to record the noxious weed species present, areas infested, density of infestations, and other site factors pertinent to successfully managing infestation. SECTION III ENFORCEMENT A. Administration/Enforcement The Board of County Commissioners shall provide for the administration and enforcement of the Plan through the use of agents, delegates or employees, and may hire additional staff or provide for the performance of all or part of the Plan through outside contract. There shall be no limitation on the employees that the Board of County Commissioners may identify to assist with administration of this plan. 8 B. Duty to Manage Noxious Weeds It is the duty of all persons to use integrated methods to manage noxious weeds if the same are likely to be materially damaging to the land of neighboring landowners. C. Management- Weeds Designated for Eradication Eagle County and affected landowners shall comply with the management techniques and responsibilities related to List "A" species and populations of List "B" weeds designated for eradication by the Commissioner in conformance with C.R.S. 35- 5.5- 108.5. D. Management- Private Lands Eagle County and affected land owners shall comply with the requirements of and shall have the rights and obligations as set forth in C.R.S. 35 -5.5 -109 in the management of noxious weeds on private lands. E. Management- Public Lands Eagle County and affected landowners shall comply with the requirements of and shall have the rights and obligations as set forth in C.R.S. 35 -5.5 -110 in the management of noxious weeds on public lands. F. Failure to Comply- Public Nuisance If the landowner fails to comply with the notice to control the designated undesirable plants, fails to submit an acceptable management plan, or fails to comply with a management plan as determined by the arbitration panel, the Board of County Commissioner at a public hearing at least 10 days after the notice thereof to the property owner may declare the infested property a public nuisance for which the remedies for abatement of a public nuisance shall be available as provided in C.R.S. 35 -5.5 -113. Once declared, such nuisance is subject to all laws and remedies relating to the prevention and abatement of nuisances. Eagle County may in a summary manner or otherwise take such action including removal and destruction with reference to such nuisance as in its discretion appears necessary. The remedies of this section shall be in addition to all other remedies provided by law. SECTION IV PLAN EVALUATION The goals and plan of work in the Plan will be reviewed and evaluated annually by the Eagle County Weed Advisory Board. Any proposed additions or changes shall be recommended by the Eagle County Weed Advisory Board and approved by the Board of County Commissioners before becoming final. 9 The P14 shall be reviewed by the Eagle County Weed Advisory Board at least every three years, pursuaM to C.R.S. 35- 5.5- 107(4)(a); and the Plan and any recommended amendments to the Plan shall be transmitted to the Board of County Commissioners for approval, modification or rejection_. SECTION V PRIOR ACTS VALIDATED All prior actions of the Board of County Commissioners, the Eagle County Weed Advisory Board aid any Authorized Agent consistent with this Plan are hereby declared to be valid and ratified. SECTION VI REPEAL OF CONFLICTING PROVISIONS All formier Eagle County ordinances, resolutions, rules or regulations or parts thereof in conflict with thisl Plan are hereby repealed. 10 EXHIBIT "1" NOXIOUS WEEDS DESIGNATED BY EAGLE COUNTY LIST A: African rue (Peganum harmala) Camelthorn (Alhagi pseudalhagi) Common crupina (Crupina vulgaris) Cypress spurge (Euphorbia cyparissias) Dyer's woad (Isatis tinctoria) Giant salvinia (Salvinia molesta) Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) Meadow knapweed (Centaurea pratensis) Mediterranean sage (Salvia aethiopis) Medusahead (Taeniatherum caput - medusae) Myrtle spurge (Euphorbia myrsinites) Orange hawkweed (Hieracium aurantiacum) Purple Ioosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) Rush skeletonweed (Chondrilla juncea) Sericea Iespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) Squarrose knapweed (Centaurea virgata) Tansy ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) Yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis) LIST B: Absinth wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) Black henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) Bouncingbet (Saponaria officinalis) Bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare) Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) Chinese clematis (Clematis orientalis) Common tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) Common teasel (Dipsacus fullonum) Corn chamomile (Anthemis arvensis) Cutleaf teasel (Dipsacus laciniatus) Dalmatian toadflax, broad - leaved (Linaria dalmatica) Dalmatian toadflax, narrow - leaved (Linaria genistifolia) Dame's rocket (Hesperis matronalis) Diffuse knapweed (Centaurea diffusa) Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) Hoary cress (Cardaria y c ess (Ca daria draba) Houndstongue (Cynoglossum officinale) Jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica) Leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) Mayweed chamomile (Anthem is cotula) Moth mullein (Verbascum blattaria) Musk thistle (Carduus nutans) Oxeye daisy (Chrysanthemum Ieucanthem um) Perennial pepperweed (Lepidium Iatifolium) Plumeless thistle (Carduus acanthoides) Quackgrass (Elytrigia repens) Russian knapweed (Acroptilon repens) 11 . . . Russian live (Elaeagnus angustifolia) Salt cedar (Tamarix chinensis, T.parviflora, and T. ramosissima) Scentles chamomile (Matricaria perforata) Scotch t istle (Onopordum acanthium) Scotch t istle (Onopordum tauricum) Spotted napweed (Centaurea maculosa) Spurred noda (Anode cristata) Sulfur ci quefoil (Potentilla recta) Venice mallow (Hibiscus trionum) Wild caraway (Carum carvi) Yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus) Yellow toadflax (Linaria vulgaris) LIST C Chicory ((ichorium intybus) Common burdock (Arctium minus) Common mullein (Verbascum thapsus) Common St. Johnswort (Hypericum perforatum) Downy biome (Bromus tectorum) Field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) Halogetoh ( Halogeton glomeratus) Johnsonrass (Sorghum halepense) Perennial sowthistle (Sonchus arvensis) Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) Puncturelrine (Tribulus terrestris) Redsteml filaree (Erodium cicutarium) Velvetlearf (Abutilon theophrasti) Wild proeo millet (Panicum miliaceum) 12