A21_BLM_CYFO_Pesticide_Use_Proposal_-_2019_approved_0001.pdf

March 8, 2018 - Form

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

PESTICIDE USE PROPOSAL

STATE: ___Alaska______________________ DATE: __May 21, 2019______________________

COUNTY: ____USA____________________ PROPOSAL NUMBER: _____________________

BLM DISTRICT: ___Fairbanks____________ EA REF #: ___________AK-03000-2010-0051-EA_ DURATION OF PROPOSAL: __3 years_____ DECISION RECORD #: AK-03000-2010-0051-EA_ LOCATION: _________ Dalton Highway Corridor (Koyukuk River Valley) ____________ ORIGINATOR – NAME___ Jennifer McMillan_____________ ORIGINATOR(S) – COMPANY or AGENCY ______ Bureau of Land Management_

ORIGINATOR(S)- CONTACT INFORMATION______ USDI-BLM______________

__Central Yukon Field Office__ __222 University Ave________ __Fairbanks, AK 99709_______ __907-474-2308_____________ __jmcmillan@blm.gov________

PROPOSAL PREPARER – NAME: __Jennifer McMillan (prepared for activities to be conducted by SDSWCD)_______ PROPOSAL PREPARER – COMPANY or AGENCY: __Salcha-Delta Soil and Water Conservation District (SDSWCD) PROPOSAL PREPARER – CONTACT INFORMATION: __Jeff Durham____________

__ SDSWCD ______________

__ PO Box 547_____________ __ Delta Junction, AK 99737__ __ 907-895-6279____________ __ jmcmillan@blm.gov_______

I. APPLICATION INFORMATION – Including mixtures and adjuvants:

Overview:

This pesticide use plan (PUP) describes the proposed eradication of up to 7 infested areas located within one mile of the Dalton Highway on lands managed by Central Yukon Field Office (Table 1, Figure 2) under the guidelines provided by the:

1. 2007 Final Vegetation Treatments Using Herbicides Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (https://eplanning.blm.gov/epl-front-office/eplanning/planAndProjectSite.do?methodName=renderDefaultPlanOrProjectSite&projectId=70300&dctmId=0b00 03e880de5eb8)

2. Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement National Vegetation Treatments Using Aminopyralid, Fluroxypyr, and Rimsulfuron (Final PEIS) (https://www.blm.gov/programs/natural-resources/weeds-and-invasives/vegetative-peis)

3. Dalton Management Area Integrated Invasive Plant Strategic Plan Environmental Assessment AK-03000-2010-0051- EA https://eplanning.blm.gov/epl-front-office/projects/nepa/38914/47316/51277/Dalton_InvasivePlants_StrategicPlan_EA_web.pdf.

Pending annual funding and logistical constratins, treatments for all target species and identified treatment sites would occur each growing season (once in June and once in late July, exact dates contingent on weather conditions and applicator scheduling and logistics) to several areas in the vicinity of both 1) the Dalton Highway intersection of the Proposed Ambler Road corridor and 2) the Dalton Highway intersection with the current Bettles Winter Road.

The treatment option for all species in Table 1, with the exception of foxtail barley, is to apply a mixture of Clopyralid and Metsulfuron methyl (plus an adjuvant) twice annually prior to seed set in 2018, 2019, 2020, and thru 2023 depending on treatment success. Foxtail barley would be sprayed with Glyphosate (to wet, not runoff) in isolated areas where the species is found. Details to follow:

https://www.blm.gov/programs/natural-resources/weeds-and-invasives/vegetative-peis https://www.blm.gov/programs/natural-resources/weeds-and-invasives/vegetative-peis https://eplanning.blm.gov/epl-front-office/projects/nepa/38914/47316/51277/Dalton_InvasivePlants_StrategicPlan_EA_web.pdf https://eplanning.blm.gov/epl-front-office/projects/nepa/38914/47316/51277/Dalton_InvasivePlants_StrategicPlan_EA_web.pdf

1) Tradename(s) 2) Common Names 3) EPA Registration

4) Manfacturer

Transline®/Escort® XP & Activate Plus™

Clopyralid/Metsulfuron methyl & nonionic surfactant

62719-259 (Transline);

432-1549 (Escort XP)

Dow AgroSciences (Transline); Bayer Environmental Science (Escort XP); Winfield Solutions, LLC (Activate Plus)

Cornerstone Plus® & Activate Plus™

Glyphosate & nonionic surfactant

74530-43-1381 Winfield Solutions, LLC

5. APPLICATION SITE TYPE: __Mineral Material Sites and Access Roads, Staging Area and Access Route__

6. DELIVERY METHOD: ____ Hand-held wand and/or ground-based broadcast sprayer (truck)__

7. COVERAGE PATTERN: _____ Spot and/or broadcast____________________________________

CLOPYRALID

13. MAXIMUM RATE OF APPLICATION – AS STATED IN THE EIS:

a. Pounds Active Ingredient or Acid Equivalent: ______1.0 lb a.e./acre/yr ____

14. MAXIMUM RATE OF APPLICATION – AS STATED ON THE LABEL:

a. Formulated Product: _________________________ 1.33 pints/acre_________

b. Pounds Active Ingredient or Acid Equivalent: _____ 0.5 pounds a.e./acre _________

15. INTENDED RATE OF APPLICATION:

a. Formulated Product: _________________________ 0.65 pints/acre_________

b. Pounds Active Ingredient or Acid Equivalent: ___0.25 lb. a.e./acre (same as previous test application)______

16. APPLICATION TIME FRAME : _twice annually (June and July), 3 years_________________________________

17. ESTIMATED NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS: __Maximum 42 (2 applications annually at ≤ 7 sites for 3 years)_

METSULFURON METHYL

13. MAXIMUM RATE OF APPLICATION – AS STATED IN THE EIS:

a. Pounds Active Ingredient or Acid Equivalent: ______ 0.15 lb a.i./acre/yr ____

14. MAXIMUM RATE OF APPLICATION – AS STATED ON THE LABEL:

a. Formulated Product: _________________________ 4 oz/acre/year _________

b. Pounds Active Ingredient or Acid Equivalent: _____ 0.15 lb a.i./acre/year _________

15. INTENDED RATE OF APPLICATION:

a. Formulated Product: _________________________ 4 oz/acre/year _________

b. Pounds Active Ingredient or Acid Equivalent: ___0.15 lb a.i./acre/year _____________

16. APPLICATION TIME FRAME : ___twice annually (June and July), 3 years ______________________________

17. ESTIMATED NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS: _Maximum 42 (2 applications annually at ≤ 7 sites for 3 years)___

GLYPHOSATE

13. MAXIMUM RATE OF APPLICATION – AS STATED IN THE EIS:

a. Pounds Active Ingredient or Acid Equivalent: ______7.0 lb a.i./acre/yr _____________

14. MAXIMUM RATE OF APPLICATION – AS STATED ON THE LABEL:

a. Formulated Product: _________________________ 10.6 quarts/acre/year _________

b. Pounds Active Ingredient or Acid Equivalent: _____ 10.6 lb a.i./acre/year_________

15. INTENDED RATE OF APPLICATION:

a. Formulated Product: _________________________ 2 quarts/acre/year _________

b. Pounds Active Ingredient or Acid Equivalent: ___2.0 lb a.i./acre and _________________

16. APPLICATION TIME FRAME:___twice annually (June and July), 3 years________________

17. ESTIMATED NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS:__Maximum 42 (2 applications annually at ≤ 7 sites for 3 years) __

18. Note: __spray to wet, not runoff____________________________________________________________________

II. PEST [List specific pest(s) and reason(s) for the proposed application of the pesticide]:

The primary goals (reasons) associated with the proposed activity are to:

1. Eradicate infestations of invasive plants at 6 mineral material sites: Extracted mineral materials from areas infested with invasive plants and utilized in non-infested areas are highly likely to contribute to the introduction and spread of these plants to areas previously not infested as a result of transport of infested materials away from the material site. All sites are within 35 miles of a proposed Ambler Road intersection with the Dalton Highway. It is anticipated that if the proposed Ambler Road is constructed the mineral material sites selected for treatment would be more actively used hence increasing the likelihood of spread of invasive plants. The BLM would require that any mineral materials utilized in the construction of the Ambler Rd would be weed-free. The proposed treatment would proactively reduce the chances of infested mineral materials being utilized on the Ambler Road in other construction activities and therefore reduce the likelihood of introduction and spread of invasive plants.

• The species to be treated and the herbicide selected per species is provided in Table 1.

• A summary of approximate total acres to be treated at Material Sites is provided in Table 2.

• A detailed list of mineral material sites selected for treatment with their respective approximate acres is provided in Appendix A.

• An overview map of material sites selected for treatment is provided in Figure 1 and Appendix A.

• Detailed maps of each material site selected for treatment is provided in Appendix A.

2. Eradicate infestations of invasive plants at a winter road staging area and access road: The Central Yukon Field Office currently permits the annual use of a winter road from the Dalton Corridor to the communities of Bettles and Evansville. The winter road is joined to the Dalton Highway by a staging area and an access road that intersects the Dalton Highway. Both the access road and the staging area are currently infested with several invasive species. There is the potential for invasive plant spread from the staging area down the winter road on permitted vehicular traffic regularly parked at the staging area. Introduction of invasive plants along the winter road is especially likely in areas where maintenance activities of the road have resulted in exposure of bare ground. The proposed treatment of the staging area and the access road would reduce the chances of invasive plant introduction and spread down the Bettles winter road.

• The expected species to be treated and the herbicide selected per species is provided in Table 1.

• A summary of approximate total acres to be treated at the Bettles Rd staging area and access road is provided in Table 2.

• Details about treatment at this site and approximate acres are provided in Appendix A.

• An overview map of material sites selected for treatment is provided in Figure 1 and Appendix A.

• A detailed map of the staging area and access road is provided in Appendix A.

Common Name Scientific name USDA

Code

AKEPIC

Invasive Rank

Clopyralid Metsulfuron methyl

Glyphosate white sweetclover Melilotus albus MEAL 81 X X bird vetch Vicia cracca ssp. cracca VICR 73 X foxtail barley Hordeum jubatum HOJU 63 X narrowleaf hawksbeard Crepis tectorum CRTE3 56 X X narrowleaf hawkweed Hieracium umbellatum HIUM 51 X X

Table 1. Anticipated invasive plant species to be treated at all identified treatment sites, with their respective invasiveness ranking (derived from AKEPIC http://accs.uaa.alaska.edu/invasive-species/non-native-plants/) with the herbicide selected for eradication per species.

The anticipated target species list provided in Table 1 is not inclusive of all possible species of concern that could be detected at the treatment sites. Rather, the list in Table 1 is an anticipated subset of the full list of species identified by the North American Invasive Species Management Association and the State of Alaska Division of Agriculture as species that cannot be present in a gravel pit in Alaska to qualify for weed-free certification. In practice, all of the species on the Alaska Weed Free Gravel Certification List of Species would be of management concern.

Under the this PUP, unanticipated species detected at any of the treatment sites (i.e. not listed in Table 1) but identified as on the Weed Free Gravel Certification List of Species, would be treated if the selected herbicides and application rates http://accs.uaa.alaska.edu/invasive-species/non-native-plants/ described in this Pesticide Use Plan are deemed adequate by the BLM. If the herbicides and/or application rates described herein are not appropriate for newly detected species a new or amended Pesticide Use Plan would be developed. The full Alaska Weed Free Gravel Certification List of Species may be referenced here: http://plants.alaska.gov/pdf/Weed-Free- Gravel-Cert-Species.pdf. Notably, the BLM Central Yukon has opted to include foxtail barley as a target species for treatment (this species is not included on the Alaska Weed Free Gravel Certification List of Species).

III. DESIRED RESULTS OF THE APPLICATION – LINKED TO THE OBJECTIVES OF THE

APPLICATION:

The activities associated with the proposed action are being conducted to achieve the following results:

1. Commence effort to control/eradicate infestations of invasive plants in the vicinity of the proposed Ambler Rd and Bettles Winter Road intersections with the Dalton Highway to reduce the probability of introduction and spread in a general sense but also specifically in relation to established overland travel (Bettles Road) and proposed new road construction (Ambler Road).

2. Continue eradication/control of a known infestation of bird vetch near the Dalton Highway (MP 168.8).

3. Continued assessment of control efficacy at MP 168.8.

4. Apply information gleaned from the test treatments conducted at MP 168.8 in 2016 and 2017 to broadened spatial extent of treatment.

5. Broaden target species from exclusively bird vetch to include other species (see Table 1) and target treatment area to larger geographic area.

IV. APPLICATION SITE DESCRIPTION:

1. ESTIMATED NUMBER OF ACRES: ~12.5 acres treated once or twice annually pending funding and logistics (detailed in Table 2 and Appendix A).

Treatment Site Type

# of Treatment Sites

# of Treatments Annually

Estimated Acres

Herbicide Target Species

a. Continued mineral material treatment: test material site Dalton MP 168.8

1 2 0.5 Clopyralid Bird vetch

b. New mineral material treatment sites:

4 mineral material sites Dalton MP 125 to 170

5 2 7.5 Clopyralid and Metsulfuron methyl;

Glyphosate where required

Varies per material site (Appendix A. Table 1)

c. New staging area and access road treatment site: Bettles Winter Road

1 2 0.5 Clopyralid and Metsulfuron methyl;

Glyphosate where required

Various

Totals 7 2 8.5

Table 2. Summary by treatment site type with respective total acreage, expected species and herbicide selection.

http://plants.alaska.gov/pdf/Weed-Free-Gravel-Cert-Species.pdf http://plants.alaska.gov/pdf/Weed-Free-Gravel-Cert-Species.pdf

Figure 1. Overview map of 7 proposed treatment sites within one mile of the Dalton Highway (MP 125 to 170).

2. GENERAL DESCRIPTION (Describe land type or use, size, stage of growth of target species, soil characteristics, and any additional information that may be important in describing the area to be treated.)

a. Land uses: Mineral material sites, access road, staging/parking area

b. Land size: estimated12.5 total acres of proposed treatment

c. Target species stage of growth: prior to seed set

d. Soil characteristics: glacial loess, gravel, rocky

e. Other: all of the sites are in areas which have been disturbed within the last 30 years; most of the sites have undergone regular and/or recent ground disturbance.

V. SENSITIVE ASPECTS AND PRECAUTIONS: In order to assist in tracking potential impacts associated with Federally threatened, endangered or proposed species, please answer the following questions and then provide the site specific conditions information.

1. Are there special status species (SSS) in the project area? “Yes” or “No” (Circle One)

Note: Several special status bird and plant species are found occasionally in the region where the proposed activities would occur. Although it is possible that these species may be in the vicinity of the proposed activity it is highly unlikely that they would inhabit the limited area(s) selected for treatment; the vast majority of currently identified SSS do not select habitat that is recently or regularly disturbed.

A. If “No” Proceed to the site description portion of this section.

B. If “Yes” Are any of the SSS also federally threatened, Endangered, or proposed? “Yes” or “No” (Circle One)

a. If “No” Proceed to the site description portion of this section.

b. If “Yes” Did your Field Office coordinate with the local Fish and Wildlife Service Office and/or NMFS “Yes” or “No” (Circle One)

I. If “No” Explain _____________________________________

II. If “Yes” Was Section 7 Consultation

Completed “Yes” or “No” (Circle One)

1. If “No” Explain ______________________________

2. If “Yes” What extent of Section 7 was completed?

(Circle One) “Formal Consultation” “Informal Consultation” “Technical Assistance”

2b. Describe the outcome of the consultation:

VI. SENSITIVE ASPECTS AND PRECAUTIONS – (CONTINUED): (Describe sensitive areas – marsh, endangered, threatened, candidate, and sensitive species habitat – and distance to application site.

List measures taken to avoid impact to these areas):

This work tiers to the current Central Yukon Field Office Environmental Assessment (EA), the Dalton Management Area Integrated Invasive Plant Strategic Plan EA, which specifies the following Design Features in relation to application of herbicides in vicinity to water, pollinators and communities (these include but are not limited to the following):

• Herbicides would not be applied within 200 feet of any surface water body (temporary, flowing or standing).

Distance to water bodies would be measured, marked, and approved prior to application to ensure compliance with this standard.

• Herbicides would not be applied within 0.5 miles of the community of Wiseman.

• To protect Essential Fish Habitat in water bodies inhabited by salmon, herbicides would be applied no closer to the water than 200 feet beyond the outer edge of the floodplain.

• Water quality monitoring would be implemented to determine whether current buffers are adequate to protect water quality and aquatic resources.

The treatment sites selected will not allow for violation of these or any other Design Features specified in the EA. Water quality monitoring will be conducted as specified in the EA and as annually directed by the BLM Central Yukon Field Office.

VII. NON-TARGET VEGETATION (Describe potential immediate and cumulative impacts to non-target organisms in project area as a result of the pesticide application. Identify any planned mitigation measures that will be employed – BE GENERAL, (SPECIFICS ARE DISCUSSED IN THE EA):

This work tiers to the current Environmental Assessment, the Dalton Management Area Integrated Invasive Plant Strategic Plan, which specifies the following Design Features in relation to application of herbicides in non-target organisms (these include but are not limited to the following):

• Careful effort would be taken to avoid accidental direct spray and spill conditions that could potentially expose honeybee and pollinator populations.

• Site characteristics, environmental conditions, and herbicide application equipment would be evaluated with the goal of minimizing damage to non-target vegetation.

The treatment methods prescribed will not be in violation of these or any other Design Feature specified in the EA.

Because of the timing of the proposed herbicide application the potential for impacts to nesting bird species exists. Prior to application of herbicides during the nesting season the BLM and/or the contractor will survey the areas selected for treatment to ensure that no active nests are present. In the case that an active nest is located a buffer of at least 20 ft around the nest will be demarcated for spot spraying exclusion.

VIII. INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES CONSIDERED IN THE OVERALL

PROJECT:

This work is being conducted in conjunction with several other control efforts (mechanical and manual) being conducted within the same management area. Inventory and monitoring efforts in the region are ongoing and are being utilized to inform Best Management Practices shared with land management partners and permittees.

IX. SIGNATURES:

1. PESTICIDE USE PROPOSAL ORIGINATOR(S):

a. Company: __________________________________________ Date: ________

2. PESTICIDE USE PROPOSAL PREPARER:

a. Proposal’s Preparer: __________________________________ Date: ________ Company: __________________________________________ Contact Information: __________________________________

3. PESTICIDE USE PROPOSAL REVIEW:

a. BLM Field Office Pesticide/Noxious Weed Coordinator:

____________________________________________________ Date: ________

b. BLM Field Office Manager:

c. BLM State Pesticide Coordinator:

4. PESTICIDE USE PROPOSAL APPROVER:

a. Deputy State Director:

____________________________________________________ Date: ________ š Concur or Approved š Not Concur or Disapproved š Concur or Approved With Modifications o Any changes (modifications) to this proposal by the State Pesticide Coordinator will be listed in an attached memo to the manager requesting approval from the Deputy State Director.

Appendix A.

MP Treatment Site M

EA

L

VIC

R

H O

JU

C R

TE3

H

IU

M

Minimum # Target Invasive Species (Anticipated)

Treatment Site Disturbance Footprint Acreage (Estimated Infestation Area is ≥5% of Treatment Site Disturbance Footprint)*

124.9 South Fork Bonanza Cr

MMS

Low

. Low

. M ed

3 19 (~1.0)

137.8 Jim R. DOT Station/Pump

Station 5 MMS

. Low

. 3 13 (~1.0)

145.0 Jim River MMS Low

. H igh

M ed

. 3 33 (~2.0)

159.3 South Fork Koyukuk MMS . Low

H

H

. 3 11 (~0.5)

161.1 Chapman Creek MMS Low

. . Low

. 2 30 (~3.0)

168.6 Cathedral Mountain MMS High

. . . 1 12 (2.0)

135.6 Bettles Staging Area Low

2 10 (3.0)

*for treatment sites where infestation area is known actual acreage is provided; for all other sites acreage is estimated as 5% of disturbance footprint.

Figure 1. Overview map of 7 proposed treatment sites within one mile of the Dalton Highway (MP 125 to 170).