Attachment_3_-_Practice_Standard.pdf

315-CPS-1

NRCS, New York March 2018

NRCS reviews and periodically updates conservation practice standards. To obtain the current version of this standard, contact your Natural Resources

Conservation Service State office or visit the Field Office Technical Guide.

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Natural Resources Conservation Service

CONSERVATION PRACTICE STANDARD

HERBACEOUS WEED TREATMENT

Code 315

(Ac)

DEFINITION

The removal or control of herbaceous weeds including invasive, noxious and prohibited plants.

PURPOSE

• Enhance accessibility, quantity, and/or quality of forage and/or browse.

• Restore or release native or create desired plant communities and wildlife habitats consistent with the site potential.

• Protect soils and control erosion

• Reduce fine fuel loads and wildfire hazard

• Pervasive plant species are controlled to a desired level of treatment that will ultimately contribute to creation or maintenance of an ecological site description "steady state," addressing the need for forage, wildlife habitat, and/or water quality.

• Improve rangeland health

CONDITIONS WHERE PRACTICE APPLIES

On all lands except active cropland where removal, reduction, or manipulation of herbaceous vegetation is desired.

This practice does not apply to removal of herbaceous vegetation by prescribed fire (use Conservation

Practice Standard (CPS) Prescribed Burning (Code 338) or removal of herbaceous vegetation to facilitate a land-use change (use CPS Land Clearing (Code 460).

CRITERIA

General Criteria Applicable to All Purposes

Herbaceous weed management will be applied in a manner to achieve the desired control of the target species and protection of desired species. This will be accomplished by mechanical, chemical, or biological methods either alone or in combination.

NRCS will not develop biological or chemical treatment recommendations except for biological control utilizing grazing animals. CPS Prescribed Grazing (Code 528) is used to ensure desired results are achieved and maintained.

NRCS may provide clients with acceptable biological and/or chemical control references.

Solicitation #121A2318Q0017 Attachment #3 http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/sitenav/national/states/ http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/technical/fotg/

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March 2018

NRCS may provide clients with current acceptable references to achieve desired management objectives.

When herbicides are used, environmental hazards and site-specific application criteria listed on pesticide labels, and contained in extension service and other approved pest management references, must be followed.

Herbaceous weed treatment will include post-treatment measures as needed to achieve resource management objectives.

Livestock and people access will be controlled based on management methods applied and restrictions as listed on the chemical labels.

Manage and/or dispose of treated weed species in a manner that will prevent the spread of herbaceous weeds to new sites.

Additional Criteria to Enhance Accessibility, Quantity, and Quality of Forage and/or Browse

Herbaceous weed treatment will be applied in a manner to minimize negative impact to forage and/or other nontargeted plants. Timing and sequence of control shall be planned in coordination with specifications developed for CPSs Prescribed Grazing (Code 528) or Forage Harvest Management

(Code 511).

Additional Criteria to Restore or Release Native or Create Desired Plant Communities and Wildlife Habitats Consistent with the Site Potential

Apply herbaceous weed treatment in a manner to protect the health and vigor of native or desired plant species.

Use applicable ecological site description (ESD) State and transition models or other suitable information, to develop specifications that are ecologically sound and defensible. Treatments must be congruent with dynamics of the ecological site(s) and keyed to states and plant community phases that have the potential and capability to support the desired plant community. If an ESD is not available, base specifications on the best approximation of the desired plant community composition, structure, and function.

Treatments will be conducted during periods of the year when weed species are most vulnerable and will promote restoration of the native or desired plant communities.

Apply herbaceous weed treatment in a manner that maintains or enhances important wildlife habitat requirements.

Treatments will be conducted during periods of the year that accommodate reproduction and other life cycle requirements of target wildlife and pollinator species.

Apply treatments that maintain or enhance plant community composition and structure to meet the requirements of target wildlife species.

Additional Criteria to Protect Soils and Control Erosion

Apply herbaceous weed treatment to minimize soil disturbance and soil erosion.

Additional treatment will be applied to protect soils and prevent erosion.

Additional Criteria to Reduce Fine Fuel Loads and Wildfire Hazard

Treat weed species in a manner that creates a native or desired plant community which reduces the potential for accumulating excessive fuel loads and increased wildfire hazards.

Solicitation #121A2318Q0017 Attachment #3

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Apply treatment methods in a manner that minimize the potential for unintended impacts to air resources

(e.g., smoke, chemical drift, etc.).

Additional Criteria to Control Pervasive Plant Species to a Desired Level of Treatment

Additional treatments are planned and will be applied to achieve effective control of pervasive plant species through reapplication.

Additional Criteria to Improve Rangeland Health

Apply herbaceous weed treatment in a manner to enhance the health and vigor of native or desired plant species.

Complete rangeland health assessment based on the applicable “Rangeland Health Reference

Worksheet” from the appropriate ecological site description(s). Identify causes of invasion, contributing processes (i.e., disturbance, dispersal, reproduction, resource acquisition, environment, life strategies, stress, interference) and associated ecological processes that are in disrepair. Appropriate tools and strategies must be based on process-based principles.

Treatments will be conducted during periods of the year when weed species are most vulnerable and will promote restoration of the native or desired plant communities.

Design and execute a plan using adaptive management which is the feedback mechanism for adjusting, as knowledge is gained from earlier management applications.

CONSIDERATIONS

Consider using CPS Integrated Pest Management (Code 595) in support of herbaceous weed control and weed management. Consider soil erosion potential and difficulty of vegetation establishment when choosing a method of control that causes soil disturbance.

Consider the appropriate time period for treatment. Some herbaceous weed management activities can be effective when applied within a single year; others may require multiple years of treatment(s) to achieve desired objectives.

Consider impacts to wildlife species, in general, treatments that create a mosaic pattern may be the most desirable.

Consider impacts to wildlife food supplies, space, and cover availability when planning the method and amount of herbaceous weed management.

State-issued licenses may be required when using chemical pesticide treatments.

For air quality purposes, consider using chemical methods of herbaceous weed management that minimize chemical drift and excessive chemical usage and consider mechanical methods of herbaceous weed management that minimize the entrainment of particulate matter.

Adjacent land uses must be considered before chemicals are used.

PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS

Prepare plans and specifications for each field or treatment unit according to the criteria included in this standard. At a minimum, a herbaceous weed management practice plan shall include—

1. Goals and objectives statement.

2. Plan map and soil map for the site.

3. Pretreatment cover or density of the target plant(s) and the planned post-treatment cover or density.

4. Maps, drawings, and/or narratives detailing or identifying areas to be treated, pattern of treatment (if

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applicable), and areas that will not be disturbed.

5. A monitoring plan that identifies what shall be measured (including timing and frequency) and the changes in the plant community (compare with objectives) that will be achieved.

Mechanical Treatment Methods.

Plans and specifications will include items 1 through 5 above, plus the following:

• Type of equipment to use for management.

• Dates of treatment for effective management.

• Operating instructions (if applicable).

• Techniques and procedures to be followed.

For Chemical Treatment Methods.

Plans and specifications will include items 1 through 5, above, plus the following:

• Acceptable chemical treatment references for containment and management of target species.

• Documented techniques to be used, planned dates and rates of application.

• Evaluation and interpretation of herbicide risks associated with the selected treatment(s) using WIN- PST or other approved tools.

• Any special mitigation, timing considerations or other factors (such as soil texture and organic matter content) that must be considered to ensure the safest, most effective application of the herbicide.

• Reference to product label instructions.

On organic operations, chemical treatments applied must comply with USDA’s National Organic Program regulations. Landowners should consult with their certifier for product approval before purchasing and applying any treatments.

For Biological Treatment Methods.

Plans and specifications will include items 1 through 5, above, plus the following:

• Acceptable biological treatment references for the selected biological agent used to contain and manage the target species.

• Document release date, kind, and number of agents.

• Timing, frequency, duration, and intensity of grazing or browsing.

• Desired degree of grazing or browsing use for effective management of target species.

• Maximum allowable degree of use on desirable nontarget species.

• Special mitigation, precautions, or requirements associated with the selected treatment(s).

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE

Operation

Herbaceous weed management practices shall be applied using approved materials and procedures.

Operations will comply with all local, State, and Federal laws and ordinances.

The operator will develop a safety plan for individuals exposed to chemicals, including telephone numbers and addresses of emergency treatment centers and the telephone number for the nearest poison control center.

The National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) telephone number in Corvallis, Oregon, may also be given for nonemergency information: 1-800-858-7384, Monday to Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Pacific

Time. The national Chemical Transportation Emergency Center (CHEMTRAC) telephone number is: 1-

800-424-9300.

• Follow label requirements for mixing/loading setbacks from wells, intermittent streams and rivers, natural or impounded ponds and lakes, and reservoirs.

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• Post signs, according to label directions and/or Federal, State, Tribal, and local laws, around fields that have been treated. Follow restricted entry intervals.

• Dispose of herbicide and herbicide containers in accordance with label directions and adhere to Federal, State, Tribal, and local regulations.

• Read and follow label directions and maintain appropriate Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).

MSDS and herbicide labels may be accessed on the Internet at: http://www.greenbook.net/.

• Calibrate application equipment according to recommendations before each seasonal use and with each major chemical and site change.

• Replace worn nozzle tips, cracked hoses, and faulty gauges on spray equipment.

• Maintain records of plant management for at least 2 years. Herbicide application records shall be in accordance with USDA Agricultural Marketing Service’s Pesticide Recordkeeping Program and State-specific requirements.

Maintenance.

Success of the practice shall be determined by evaluating regrowth or reoccurrence of target species after sufficient time has passed to monitor the situation and gather reliable data. Length of evaluation periods will depend on the herbaceous weeds species being monitored, proximity of propagules (seeds, plant materials and roots) to the site, transport mode of seeds (wind or animals) and methods and materials used.

Following initial application, some regrowth, resprouting, or reoccurrence of herbaceous weeds may be expected. Spot treatment of individual plants or areas needing retreatment should be completed as needed when weed vegetation is most vulnerable to desired treatment procedures.

Review and update the plan periodically to: incorporate new IPM technology, respond to grazing management and complex weed population changes, and avoid the development of weed resistance to herbicide chemicals.

REFERENCES

Alex, J.F. and C.M. Switer. 1982. Ontario weeds. Publ. 505, University of Guelph – Ontario Agricultural

College, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.

American Sheep Industry, A. Peischel and D.D. Henry, Jr., 2006. Targeted Grazing: a Natural Approach to Vegetation Management and Landscape Enhancement.

Ciba-Geigy Corp. Plants that poison livestock: Information chart.

Cornell University Department of Animal Science. Plants Poisonous to Livestock and Other Animals.

[Online]. Available at: http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/.

DeWolf , G. and M. Hondalus. 1988. Common Massachusetts plants poisonous to horses. University of

Massachusetts Cooperative Extension Service, Amherst, Massachusetts.

Ensminger, M.E. 1992. The stockman’s handbook. (7th Ed.) The Interstate Printers and Publishers, Inc.

Danville, Illinois.

Evers, R.A. and R.P. Link. 1972. Poison plants of the Midwest and their effects on livestock. Special

Publication 24, University of Illinois – College of Agriculture, Urbana, Illinois.

Hamilton, G.W. and J.R. Mitchell. 2001. [Online] Poisonous plants in pastures. Univ. of New Hampshire

Coop. Ext. Serv., Durham, New Hampshire. Available at http://extension.unh.edu/resources/representation/Resource000623_Rep645.pdf. (Accessed 15 October

2008).

Solicitation #121A2318Q0017 Attachment #3 http://www.greenbook.net/ http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/ http://extension.unh.edu/resources/representation/Resource000623_Rep645.pdf

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Hill, R.J. and D. Folland. 1986. Poisonous plants of Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Department of

Agriculture, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Peachey, E., A. Hulting, T. Miller, D. Lyon, D. Morishita and P. Hutchinson. Pacific Northwest Weed

Management Handbook. 2016. Oregon State University, Corvallis. Oregon.

Radosevich, S.R., J.S. Holt, and C.M. Ghersa. 2007. Ecology of Weeds and Invasive Plants –

Relationship to Agriculture and Natural Resource Management. Third Edition. Wiley-Interscience. A.

John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 454pp.

Reed, C.F. 1970. Selected weeds of the United States. Agriculture Handbook No. 366, U.S.

Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.

Sheley, R., J. James, B. Smith, and E. Vasquez. 2010. Applying Ecologically Based Invasive-Plant

Management. Rangeland Ecology & Management, 63(6): 605-613.

USDA-ARS. 2006. Bulletin 415 - Plants poisonous to livestock in the Western states. [Online]. Available at http://www.ars.usda.gov/Services/docs.htm?docid=12140 (Updated 08 February 2006, accessed 15

October 2008).

Whitson, T.D., L.C. Burrill, S.A. Dewey, D.W. Cudney, B.E. Nelson, R.D. Lee, and R. Parker. 1992.

Weeds of the West. Western Society of Weed Science in cooperation with the Western United States

Land Grand Universities Cooperative Extension Services and the University of Wyoming. 630pp.

Attachment12

Invasive Species Management for NRCS Wetland Easements Champlain NY

Applicants: ACEP-WRP easements: 66-2C31-090-0WFF and 542C311401GD5

Prepared By: Anne Marie Ziros, NRCS, Soil Conservationist

County: Clinton, Town: Champlain

Farm, Tract, and Field Numbers: FSN 2059 Tract 2876 field 5 & 6 FSN 2062 Tract 2874 fields 15 & UN-1

Target Species: Phragmites australis

Control Method: Manual, Mechanical, and or Chemical

UTM Coordinates:

to easement entrance: -73 30.61 44 57.57 degree minutes

NARRATIVE:

The project proposes to treat 7 stands of Phragmites australis, located within the

NRCS Easements on Southwick Road in the town of Champlain (see attached map).

There are 3 stands greater than 2 acres, and 5 stands under 1acre in size. The control method selected is to apply a treatment of a glyphosate based herbicide, followed by cutting and a second application of glyphosate over a 3 year period.

Applications will be administered in accordance with the best management practices identified in the Field Office Technical Guide: Herbaceous Weed Control NYPS315 and Integrated Pest Management NYPS595. The NRCS goal of phragmites control is to allow for colonization by a diversity of native wetland plants to enhance wildlife habitat."

A foliar spray/stem injection treatment of glyphosate based herbicide involves using a back pack sprayer and a stem injection system.

A foliar spray system is useful in covering large/dense stands of vegetation efficiently, but usually results in an increased likelihood for non-target or off-site impact through herbicide spray drift. To reduce this likelihood, applications should be conducted during periods of little or no wind.

For sparse areas or those intermixed with Native species should consider stem injection, a wick system works as well and is a lot less labor intensive, applying directly to the hollow of each stem of each Phragmites plant. The stem injection as well as the wick method greatly reduces the threat of non-target or off site impacts but is extremely labor intensive.

A marking dye should also be used to identify which plants have already been sprayed or injected, so that plants are not sprayed more than once.

All clothing, boots, and equipment will be cleaned prior to leaving the site to prevent the spread of seed debris.

Inventory of target and non-target species

The site was inventoried initially when application for easement was accepted as present and in need of control before restoration of the wetland proceeded which would assist in minimizing the spread during construction when soils are bare and most vulnerable to invasion of non-native species seeds.

The size of the sites is approximately 13.2 acres, T-2874: Field 14 with 3.7 acres and

Field UN-1 with 3.7 acres. T-2876: Field 5 has approximately 5.2 acres, and Field 6, with 0.5 acres (see attached map)

Within the site non target species include but not limited to: Conifers, Hardwoods, and willow/alder shrubs, No protected plant species identified during the inventory.

Target Species impacts and concerns:

Areas of Phragmites australis can range from large scrub shrub palustrine wetland communities to right of way drainage ditches. Saturated or seasonally flooded, degraded habitats often provide the best conditions for invasion by this species.

If infestations are not controlled, and suitable habitat is present this species will spread vegetatively by rhizome growth, plant fragments, and seed dispersal to create a monotypic plant community in the impacted area. This results in decreased biodiversity and ecological quality of the invaded habitat. Which will continue to serve as a source for future populations and invasions.

Natural Heritage Review:

A review of the NYS DEC Environmental Mapper and Natural Heritage databases indicated that there are no occurrences of rare, threatened, or endangered species present on this site, however the Northern Harrier and American Bittern have been noted in vicinity, along with several species of ducks and shrubland birds.

Adjoining Land Uses and Nearby State Land Units

The sites are adjoining several independent residences, the Great Chazy River and

‘The Vly’ a New York State Wetland with significant plant communities identified within its borders. There will be no off site impacts to nearby land uses or state wetlands.

Assessment of treatment alternatives

Cutting/Mulching – Cutting is an option that can be used on patches that are easily accessible, observable, and manageable. Manually and frequently cut and mulch the sites of Phragmites for several years in an attempt to reduce plant dominance.

Research finds this encourages rapid expansion and creation of satellite stands from 50-150 feet from initial site.

Pulling – Hand pulling is not an option due to size of the impacted areas and the number of plants present. Mechanical “pulling” leaves holes in the landscape and severs roots leaving pieces to root and create new stands, plus cost prohibitive.

Herbicide – A foliar application using a glyphosate herbicide is currently the best option due to the plants moderate size in this stage of infestation and high plant density.

Black Plastic – Covering the site with black plastic is not an option due to size of the infested area and high plant density

History of past treatments: No past treatments have occurred

Timeframe the work should be undertaken and completed

The work should be accomplished from the middle of July to the middle of October before the first hard killing frost of each year for 5 years. At this time the plants will be at their maximum height and will be developing inflorescences. During this stage of development the plants will be readily transporting nutrients to the roots making herbicide application extremely effective.

A photographic record will be made to document management progress. Any and all new infestations of Phragmites that establish in future years as a result of seed dispersal or rhizomatic growth from these parent stands will be treated in a similar manner.

Monitoring and Future Management Strategies

The site will be inspected and a rapid assessment of dominance by the target species will be performed before and after treatment. Prior to treatment two 1m2 plots will be established in order to measure treatment results. One plot will be located in the heart of the infestation while the other will be located on the fringe where out shoots are found. Fixed corners will be used by locating the center point via GPS coordinates and Flagged Stakes will be implanted in the soil at each corner.

• The sites will be inspected each year to check for native plant recovery and Phragmites reduction.

o NRCS will consider the treatment acceptable when native grass and plant communities recover and allow for colonization by a diversity of native wetland plants to enhance wildlife habitat."

If Phragmites plants are detected during scheduled monitoring visits subsequent treatment will be planned and implemented with photographic records to document the management progress of the site.

SAFETY PROCEDURES:

Applicators will follow label precautions, wear necessary protective clothing and breathing apparatus. A CERTIFIED applicator will be on site.