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HomeMy WebLinkAboutR92-041 adopting weed management planC J. C-_,� Commissioner Welch moved adoption of the following Resolution: A 411) Rirr 8 YON NO. 92 - 41 ADOPTING A WEED MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF EAGLE COUNTY WHEREAS, C.R.S. 35 -5.5 -105 et seq (known as the "Colorado Weed Management Act "), mandates the board of county commissioners of each county in the state to adopt an undesirable plant manage- ment plan for all of the unincorporated lands within the county, and sets forth powers and duties to enable each board to comply with said Act; and WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Eagle County, Colorado ( "the Board "), in order to implement the provisions of the Act, did appoint, by its Resolution No. 91 -59, the Eagle County Weed Management Advisory Commission, which developed a recommended plan for the integrated management of designated undesirable plants and management criteria (hereinafter "the Plan ") for consideration by the Board; and WHEREAS, having reviewed the proposed Plan, the Board finds it to be in the best interest of the continued economic and environmental value of the lands within Eagle County to adopt the Plan as recommended. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF THE COUNTY OF EAGLE, STATE OF COLORADO: THAT, the Eagle County Weed Management Plan, as set forth in Exhibit " A " attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference, be and is hereby adopted. THAT, in accordance with C.R.S. 35 - 5.5 - 107, the Weed Manage- ment Advisory Commission shall review the Plan no less often than once every three years, and shall make recommendations to the Board concerning the continued appropriateness of the Plan. THAT the Board hereby finds, determines and declares that this Resolution is necessary for the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Eagle County. C-11 c MOVED, READ AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners County of Eagle, State of Colorado, at its regular meeting he 13th day of April, 1992. COUNTY OF EAGLE, STATE OF COLORAD by and Through Its BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS By By: lerk� to the Board of V 'Riahard County Commissioners gVA. Gates, Commissioner Dona H. Welch, Commissioner Commissioner Gates seconded adoption of the foregoing resolution. The roll having been called, the vote was as follows: Commissioner George A. Gates Aye Commissioner Richard L. Gustafson Aye Commissioner Donald H. Welch Aye This Resolution passed by Unanimous vote of the Board of County Commissioners of the County ot Eag e, State of Colorado. 86 -168 -2- EAGLE COUNTY WEED MANAGEMENT PLAN I. Introduction Several species of non - native plants have become a threat to the economic and environmental value of land in Eagle County. These plants are not indigenous to this country and have no natural predators or diseases to keep them in check. They are rapidly displacing desirable vegetation causing a loss of productive grazing and recreational resources. The state of Colorado has mandated that a county -wide plan must be implemented to prevent further damage by these noxious weed species. II. Goals of this plan A. Implementation of HB1175 "Colorado Undesirable Plant Management Act" (copy of statute attached) B. Education of the public concerning weed management issues. C. Generate public support for the program. D. Foster a spirit of cooperation among federal, state and local governmental agencies and private landowners. III. Statement of weed problem A. Several thousand acres of land in Eagle County are already infested with weed species listed in this document. This is a growing figure which poses a threat to the economic and environmental value of land in Eagle County. B. The weed problem in Eagle County is of concern not only to the agricultural community, but to the urban, recreational and small landowner communities as well. Problem areas include: roadsides, railroad lines, housing subdivisions, municipal areas, private property, state and federal lands. C. The following weeds are judged by the State of Colorado to be undesirable and must be controlled: Leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula), Russian knapweed (Centaurea repens), Diffuse knapweed (Centaurea diffusa), Spotted knapweed (Centaurea maculosa). The following weeds are judged by the Eagle County Board of Commissoners to be undesirable as per HB 90 -1175 Section 35 -5.5 -108, and must be controlled: Musk thistle (Carduus nutans), and Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense). The Eagle County Weed Advisory Commission has also targeted additional problem weed species for management on a voluntary basis. Any of these weed species can be added to the State of Exhibit A (1 of 8) r Colorado "undesirable" list if deemed necessary. Targeted weeds are: Plumeless thistle, Houndstongue, Whitetop, Common burdock and Wild carraway. D. The control of undesirable plants shall be the responsibility of the landowner. Technical advise and support will be provided by Eagle County Weed & Pest and the Colorado State University Extension office. IV. Priorities A. Education: Education must play a major role in implementing this weed management plan. Most weed species, if detected early, can be managed. Groups targeted for public education include: farmers and ranchers, homeowners associations, developers, equine groups, youth groups and schools. This instruction will be provided by the Eagle County Weed & Pest Department and other government agencies. Workshops will be held winter months to provide information on the following subjects: 1. Noxious weed identification & management methods. 2. Mapping techniques 3. Compliance with the "Weed Management Act" HB1175 4. Private applicator training. 5. _Integrated pest management. B. Improve weed management practices on County owned land and right -of ways to include all weed species listed in this plan. This work will be completed by the Eagle County Weed & Pest Department. C. Mapping: In 1987 & 1988 a noxious weed inventory was conducted on private land in Eagle county. Limited inventories were also conducted on National Forest and BLM lands. All inventories must be upgraded and a uniform system developed so that all maps are consistent. D. Cooperative agreements: Cooperative agreements will be sought between Eagle County, the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, the state and local governments to facilitate a coordinated effort in managing the weed species listed in this document. Lx''ibit A G. of 8) C 0 V. Plan of Work A. Goals (short term) 1. Increase public awareness of new "Weed Management 2. Act "HB 1175. 2. Control undesirable plants on county right -of -ways. 3. Prevent further spread of Leafy spurge from existing Section 35 -5.5 sites 4. Reach 200 county residents through educational workshops 5. Update existing mapping and encourage an increase Section 35.5 -112 in new mapping of BLM, Forest Service, State, towns and private lands. 6. Develop a mobile weed identification display that B. Establish special management can be exhibited throughout the county. B. Goals (long term) 1. Prevent seed production and reduce stand size and/ management or density on all leafy spurge infestations 2. Significant reduction of Russian knapweed infestations. 3. Complete weed maps of all land in county 4. Expansion of biological release sites to include all areas of County VI. Management Methods: See Appendix A) A. Non - Compliance: 1. Private Lands: Section 35 -5.5 -109 of HB 90 -1175 2. Public lands: Section 35 -5.5 -109 of HB 90 -1175. 3. Federal and state lands: Section 35 -5.5 -111 of HB 90 -1175 4. Public Rights -of Way: Section 35.5 -112 of HB 90- 1175. B. Establish special management areas. 1. Identify areas requiring intensive management (severe weed problems). EX'tlibit A (3 of 8) 2. Identify methods for control for environmentally sensitive areas I.E. Wetlands, Waterways, wilderness areas. 3. Identify methods of control for subdivisions and residential areas. C. Solicit public input through public meetings. VII. Conclusion: Many non - native species of weeds which have become established here are deep rooted perennial plants which are extremely difficult to control. Eradication of these species is not a realistic goal. We can, however, through a concerted cooperative effort, manage these plants to prevent further disruption of the many and varied plant communities which make up our inter - mountain region. Chairman, Eagle County Weed Advisory Commission Secretary Eagle County Weed Advisory Commission Date Prepared by Thomas Girard Eagle County Weed & Pest Coordinator Exhibit A (4 of 8) APPENDIX A I. Weed management methods A. Definitions: The Colorado Weed Management Act (HB 1175) states that integrated methods must be utilized in the management of weeds. Integrated methods include: cultural, chemical, biological and mechanical management. 1. The following definitions for these integrated methods will be used in this weed management plan: a. Cultural - those methodologies or practices conducted to favor the growth of desirable plants over undesirable plants. Including but not limited to: maintaining an optimum fertility and plant moisture status in an area, and planting species most suited to and area. b. Chemical - the use of herbicides1 or plant growth regulators to disrupt the growth of undesirable plants. c. Biological - the use of organisms to disrupt y the growth of undesirable plants. d. Mechanical - practices that physically disrupt plant growth including but not limited to tilling, mowing, burning, mulching, hand pulling and hoeing. B. The following guidelines have been developed to assist landowners in selecting effective weed control methods. Individual weed management plans will be evaluated using these guidelines. Individual weed management plans utilizing control methods not included in these guidelines will be judged on their own merit. 1. Leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) - a perennial that spreads by seed and creeping rootstocks. An extensive root system with vast nutrient reserves makes this plant extremely difficult to control. Management methods: Dd iibit A (5 of 8) 1. Herbicides with Colorado labels are listed. A current label must be read and understood before application. a. Cultural: seeding perennial grasses and forbs can be an effective management tool. Early emerging plant species that utilize early season moisture such as smooth brome (bromus inermis) or Crested Wheatgrass have reduced leafy spurge density and limited the spread and establishment of new infestations. Alfalfa can also be a good competitor with leafy spurge.2 b. Chemica13 - Dieamba (Banvel) . Fosamine (Krenite), glyphosate (Roundup or Rodeo), picloram (Tordon). c. Biological - grazing4 with sheep or goats can stress leafy spurge making it more susceptible to other control methods. Apthona flava and Apthona nigriscutis are two species of flea beetles that have been introduced to attack leafy spurge. Adults feed on foliage during summer and lay eggs at the base of spurge plants. The larvae tunnel through the soil and mine the roots as well as the fine root hairs. These insects alone will not control leafy spurge but they can weaken the plant making it more susceptible to herbicide treatments or other control methods. �d. Mechanical - mechanical methods have not been proven to be an effective management tool on this plant. Comments: A complex of insects, grazing, plant diseases and chemical methods will be necessary to stress the plant sufficiently to attain acceptable control. C. Russian knapweed (Centaurea repens) - A creeping perennial weed which once established, becomes extremely difficult to control. In heavy infestations no crop can grow in competition. Allelopathie5 chemicals have been extracted from Russian knapweed. Management methods: 2 From "Non - chemical Alternative for Managing Selected Plant Species ". Dr. Wayne Leminger, Colorado State University. 3 Contact Eagle County Weed and Pest or a licensed commercial applicator for specific recommendations for herbicide use. 4 Care should be taken when moving animals from infested D diibit A areas to un- infested areas to prevent seed transport. (5 of 8) 5 Allelopthic - contains chemicals which are toxic to other plants c C a. Cultural - dry range seeded with crested wheatgrass can cause stress in knapweed by using up moisture for spring growth. b. Biological - a leaf & stem gall- forming nematode (subanguina peridus) has been released in the U.S. This nematode had shown limited success in controlling russian knapweed. 1. Chemical - chlorsulfuron (Telar), dicamba (Banvel), glyphosate (Roundup or Rodeo), picloram (Tordon). 2. Mechanical - due to the extensive energy reserves in the root system, removal of top growth alone will not provide adequate control of Russian knapweed. Mowing two or three times per year in combination with a herbicide program can be very effective. The first mowing should be at or near the bud stage. Knapweed should be mowed again when re- growth is adequate followed by herbicide treatment in the fall. D. Spotted knapweed (Centaurea maculosa) - Spotted knapweed is a biennial or short lived perennial that greatly reduces the range's carrying capacity for both livestock and wildlife. Management methods: 1. Cultural - Good grazing management6 is one of the best defenses against the spread of knapweeds on range and pasture lands. Proper stocking rates, good livestock distribution and correct timing and deferment of grazing are essential to the maintenance of a healthy range or pasture environment. 2. Biological - Two kinds of seed head gall flies ( Uphora affinis and Uphora quadrifaciata) attack the seed heads of Spotted knapweed. The larvae of the flies induce galls in immature flower heads thus directing nutrients away from seed production. These flies will reduce seed production of the plant but not sufficiently to stop its spread. 3. Chemical - picloram (Tordon), dicamba (Banvel), dicamba plus 2,4 -D. 4. Mechanical - Deep plowing can reduce the stand �xh; A 6 Non - Chemical Alternative for Managing Selected Plant Species, Dr. Wayne C. Leininger, Colorado State (7 of $) niversity C � density. E. Diffuse knapweed - Diffuse knapweed is a biennial or short lived 'pe'rennial which has become one of the most A s a a +h. Northwest intrn_mnt7nt ?iT1 damaging range.". and w� @- In he area. Management methods: 1. Cultural - Seeding of crested wheatgrass can inhibit the spread of diffuse knapweed in dry climates 2. Biological - Same as spotted knapweed 3. Chemical - Same as spotted knapweed 4. Mechanical - Same as spotted knapweed a. Comments: Early detection and management of invading plants is the key to managing knapweeds. a t w d Exhi bit A (8 of 8) i