Attachment_5_-_Invasive_Plant_Control_Plans.pdf

Vermont NRCS – Invasive Plant Control Plan For: Randall Bertrand Date: 1/25/2018

NRCS Does Not Make Herbicide Recommendations Follow Herbicide Label Instructions – It’s the Law.

Site Description:

The Bertrand 160 WRE easement is located in Sudbury, VT off of VT Route 73 (see locator map for easement access). It is within the corridor of WRE easements along the Otter Creek. This easement is located in the Champlain Valley and is classified as a palustrine persistent emergent scrub-shrub wetland. This site was previously a ditched field that has been restored to its original wetland condition. Current cover is a mix of emergent wetland vegetation and early successional riparian forest buffer.

There are no private wells, public water supplies, surface, or groundwater protection areas within 200 feet of the treatment area. The riparian invasive treatment area overlaps a small portion of a large state-listed S3 uncommon natural plant community of silver maple-ostrich fern floodplain forest along the Otter Creek. Care should be taken to only target the invasive species listed and herbicide label instructions should be followed strictly. There is also a State listed S2 (rare) mussel found in the Otter Creek adjacent to the treatment area. This area also includes occurrence of an S3 (uncommon) salamander. The majority of the treatment areas are located within a Vermont state significant wetland (class 2).

Invasive Plant Description:

The invasive species requiring treatment on the Bertrand 160 WRE easement are exotic bush Honeysuckle (Lonicera sp.) and Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica L.). These two invasive species are found in the riparian area along the Otter Creek. These patches of honeysuckle and buckthorn are fairly established and spread throughout. While the aforementioned species have been identified on site and compose the bulk of the treatment needs, all commonly known invasive plants (barberry, garlic mustard, etc.) encountered during application will be controlled within the treatment area. Adequate time will be needed to scout out all mature plants and seedlings.

Treatment will help prevent the spread of honeysuckle and buckthorn further into the easement and allow for native tree species to recolonize the area. The total anticipated treatment area of honeysuckle and buckthorn is approximately 5.0 acres (see attached map for location). In some places buckthorn and honeysuckle are dense and in others more spread out. In general, the plants are mostly mature (seed bearing and well established) but care should be taken to treat seedlings as well.

Invasive Plant Control Goal:

The main objectives for treating honeysuckle and buckthorn is to help create space for native plant regeneration, increase native vegetation to support native wildlife, and improve the quality of riparian and wetland habitats found in the easement. The goal for this treatment is at least 90% reduction in cover after the initial application.

Two additional years of follow-up treatment are planned.

Control Strategies for the Site:

A current licensed pesticide applicator certified in Category 2 (forests) must be used for this treatment. Treatment options and specifications for honeysuckle and buckthorn can be found in the Shrub Honeysuckles and Buckthorns Conservation Practice Job Sheets (see attachments). The best time to treat honeysuckle and buckthorn is between August and October when the plant is transporting nutrients to its root system. Treatment of honeysuckle and buckthorn will occur using an appropriate aquatic approved herbicide, surfactant, and dye. Due to the presence of uncommon and rare species and natural communities, care must be taken to avoid treating non-target species and prevent any herbicide reaching surface waters on site. Avoid wet rainy conditions when amphibians may be active at or near the ground surface. All debris from treated plants (stems, branches) will be disposed of properly. If trees and shrubs are pulled up by roots, they should be hung in trees to prevent re-rooting

Solicitation 121A2318Q0019 Attachment 5

Vermont NRCS – Invasive Plant Control Plan For: Randall Bertrand Date: 1/25/2018

NRCS Does Not Make Herbicide Recommendations Follow Herbicide Label Instructions – It’s the Law.

or piled roots up to prevent re-rooting. State water quality laws must be followed and any required state permits must be acquired prior to the start of treatment. All herbicide label instructions must be followed as well. Since treatment will need to occur within a VSWI wetland and buffer zone, the plan will need be reviewed by Vermont DEC Wetlands Coordinator to make this activity an allowed use.

A total of three (3) years of treatment are planned on this site. Treatment should occur during the late growing season (August-October) when the plants are transporting nutrients to its root system.

Re-Vegetation or Restoration Techniques:

The plan is to allow for natural regeneration to occur onsite. The areas of honeysuckle and buckthorn are in close proximity to native vegetation, which should provide a seed source for natural revegetation.

Monitoring Plan:

The treatment area and surrounding lands will be monitored at least annually for the purpose of detecting re-growth of controlled species or the introduction and establishment of new noxious or invasive species while the site is in recovery (at least 5 years for Herbaceous Weed Control and 10 years for Brush Management). Re-growth of treated plants, seedlings or new species will be controlled with follow up treatments.

Licensed Pesticide Applicator Date Planner Signature Date Signature, Plan Reviewer

__284 - 4379_________ License #

TOBY ALEXANDER Digitally signed by TOBY ALEXANDER Date: 2018.01.30 09:25:57 -05'00'

JOSEPH BONDI

(Affiliate)

Digitally signed by JOSEPH BONDI (Affiliate) Date: 2018.01.30 09:42:48 -05'00'

Vermont NRCS – Invasive Plant Control Plan For: Shaun Branon Date: 2/22/2018

NRCS Does Not Make Herbicide Recommendations

Site Description:

The Branon and Mott WRE easements are located in Brandon, VT off of Pearl Street (see locator map for easement access). They are within the corridor of WRE easements along the Otter Creek. These easements are located in the Champlain Valley and are classified as palustrine scrub-shrub/forested wetlands. Current cover is a mix of emergent wetland vegetation and mature red maple/cedar swamp.

There are no public water supplies, private wells, surface, or groundwater protection areas within 200 feet of the treatment area. The whole treatment area is located within two significant natural communities: (1) a State listed S3 (uncommon) natural community of Red Maple-Northern White Cedar Swamp; and (2) a State listed S4 (common) natural community of Red Maple-Black Ash Seepage Swamp. Care should be taken to only target the invasive species listed and herbicide label instructions should be followed strictly. This area also includes occurrence of a State listed S3 (uncommon) amphibian. All treatment areas are located within a Vermont state significant wetland (class 2).

Invasive Plant Description:

The invasive species requiring treatment on the Branon and Mott WRE easements is exotic Buckthorn (Rhamnus sp.). Buckthorn was found throughout most of each easement. Many of the stems observed were mature (1-4 in.

diameter) with other smaller saplings and seedlings scattered throughout the treatment area. Adequate time will be needed to scout out all mature plants and seedlings. Treatment will help prevent the spread of buckthorn further into the easement and allow for native tree species to recolonize the area. Percent cover of buckthorn in each easement is approximately 2% within the 139 acre treatment area (see map for location).

While the aforementioned species have been identified on site and compose the bulk of the treatment needs, all commonly known invasive plants (e.g. barberry, garlic mustard, etc.) encountered during application will be controlled within the treatment area.

Invasive Plant Control Goal:

The main objectives for treating buckthorn are to help create space for native plant regeneration, increase native vegetation to support native wildlife, and improve the quality of riparian and wetland habitats found in the easement. The goal for this treatment is at least 90% reduction in cover after the initial application. Two additional years of follow-up treatment are planned.

Control Strategies for the Site:

A current licensed pesticide applicator certified in Category 2 (forests) must be used for this treatment. Treatment options and specifications for buckthorn can be found in the Buckthorns Conservation Practice Job Sheets (see attachments). The best time to treat buckthorn is between August and October when the plant is transporting nutrients to its root system. Treatment of buckthorn will occur using an appropriate aquatic approved herbicide, surfactant, and dye. Due to the presence of uncommon and rare species and natural communities, care must be taken to avoid treating non-target species and prevent any herbicide reaching surface waters on site. Avoid wet rainy conditions when amphibians may be active at or near the ground surface. All debris from treated plants (stems, branches) will be disposed of properly. If trees and shrubs are pulled up by roots, they should be hung in trees to prevent re-rooting or piled roots up to prevent re-rooting. State water quality laws must be followed and any required state permits must be acquired prior to the start of treatment. All herbicide label instructions must be

Vermont NRCS – Invasive Plant Control Plan For: Shaun Branon Date: 2/22/2018

NRCS Does Not Make Herbicide Recommendations followed as well. Since treatment will need to occur within a VSWI wetland and buffer zone, the plan will need be reviewed by Vermont DEC Wetlands Coordinator to make this activity an allowed use.

A total of three (3) years of treatment are planned on this site. Treatment of buckthorn should occur during the late growing season (August-October).

Re-Vegetation or Restoration Techniques:

The plan is to allow for natural regeneration to occur onsite. The areas infested by invasive species are in close proximity to native vegetation, which should provide a seed source for natural revegetation.

Monitoring Plan:

The treatment area and surrounding lands will be monitored at least annually for the purpose of detecting re-growth of controlled species or the introduction and establishment of new noxious or invasive species while the site is in recovery (at least 5 years for Herbaceous Weed Control and 10 years for Brush Management). Re-growth of treated plants, seedlings or new species will be controlled with follow up treatments.

Licensed Pesticide Applicator Date Planner Signature Date Signature, Plan Reviewer

____284 - 4379______________ License #

TOBY

ALEXANDER

Digitally signed by TOBY

ALEXANDER

Date: 2018.02.28 13:44:16 -05'00'

JOSEPH BONDI

(Affiliate)

Digitally signed by JOSEPH BONDI (Affiliate) Date: 2018.02.28 13:58:00 -05'00'