Blue_Ridge2.doc

Eradication of Non Native Invasive weeds – Blue Ridge Ranger District, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest

Location: Blue Ridge Ranger District

All work will be performed according to the specifications in Contract; Mechanical, Manual, and Herbicide Control of Nonnative Invasive Plant Species, including the Performance Assessment Methods and AQL.

As stated in the contract, the contractor will provide all labor, supervision, equipment, tools, herbicide, herbicide carriers or adjuvant, herbicide dye, permits and licenses, worker personal protective equipment (PPE), and incidentals necessary to perform the required work.

This task targets 85 acres total, of the invasive plants listed in the table below. Control activities will occur along roadsides and trails, streamside zones, wildlife openings, and at small isolated spots in interior areas of the Forest indicated in the following table. Location maps are attached.

Autumn Olive Nonnative Privet

High High

Imazapyr Kudzu - Approx. 0.5 ac

Multiflora Rose Winter Creeper

High High

Nonnative Privet Multiflora Rose Sericea Lespedeza

Low Low Low

Multiflora Rose Nonnative Privet

Nonnative Privet

TOTAL

84.6

* Very high = Approx. 50-100% cover; High = 25-50% cover; Moderate = 10-25% cover; Low = 1-10% cover

*Application methods on each site will vary depending on species density, size, and chemical used. For example, one acre may have 3 different species to treat, so you may have 3 different applications and/or methods

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved herbicides will be used. The herbicide concentration applied per acre must adhere to and not exceed the label directions for the appropriate techniques used by the applicator. Contractor will apply herbicide at a sufficient interval and concentration to meet or exceed the kill rate on target NNIS infestations.

Kudzu The methods of control for kudzu shall include the application of a clopyralid herbicide using the foliar spray method with a water soluble surfactant. Spray all vines to the point of runoff and climbing vines with TranslineTM as a 0.5-percent solution in water (2 ounces per 3-gallon mix). Spray all climbing vines as high as possible. Cut large vines and immediately apply the herbicide to the cut surfaces in dilutions as specified on the herbicide label. Inert dye (blue) provided by the contractor shall be added into all herbicide mixes for ease of inspection. Treat during the months of July thru September.

In riparian areas, the methods of control for kudzu shall include the application of a glyphosate herbicide with an aquatic label using the foliar spray method with a 2 percent solution in water (8 ounces per 3 gallon mix) with a surfactant during the growing season. Spray all vines to the point of runoff and climbing vines with a solution of glyphosate with a water soluble surfactant. Spray all climbing vines as high as possible. Cut large vines and immediately apply the herbicide to the cut surfaces. Inert dye (blue) provided by the contractor shall be added into all herbicide mixes for ease of inspection. Treat during the months of July thru September.

Oriental bittersweet The methods of control for oriental bittersweet shall include the application of triclopyr herbicide in water with a surfactant to freshly-cut stumps of plants greater than or equal to 6 feet in height or to the foliage of plants less than 6 feet in height. The contractor shall cut oriental bittersweet plants greater than or equal to six feet in height to the ground without covering other live NNIS plants then immediately and fully apply a 25-percent solution (32 ounces per 1-gallon mix) of Garlon 4 to the cambium layer of the freshly-cut stumps. The contractor shall completely spray to saturation all green foliate on oriental bittersweet plants less than six feet in height with Garlon 4 as a 3-percent solution. Inert dye (blue) provided by the contractor shall be added into all herbicide mixes for ease of inspection. Treat during the months of July thru October.

Autumn Olive The methods of control for autumn olive shall include the application of an imazapyr herbicide in water with a surfactant to freshly-cut stumps of plants greater than or equal to 6 feet in height or to the foliage of plants less than 6 feet in height. The contractor shall cut autumn olive plants greater than or equal to six feet in height to the ground without covering other live autumn olive plants then immediately and fully apply a 10-percent solution of Arsenal AC (1 quart per 3-gallon mix) to the cambium layer of the freshly-cut stumps. The contractor shall completely spray to saturation all green foliate on autumn olive plants less than six feet in height with Arsenal AC as a 1-percent solution (4 ounces per 3-gallon mix). Inert dye (blue) provided by the contractor shall be added into all herbicide mixes for ease of inspection. Treat during the months of April thru October. Severed vegetation shall be removed from trails/roadways as to not obstruct passage.

Multiflora rose The methods of control for multiflora rose shall include the application of an imazapyr herbicide in water with a surfactant to freshly-cut stumps of plants greater than or equal to 6 feet in height or to the foliage of plants less than 6 feet in height. The contractor shall cut multiflora rose plants greater than or equal to six feet in height to the ground without covering other live multiflora rose plants then immediately and fully apply a 10-percent solution of Arsenal AC (1 quart per 3-gallon mix) to the cambium layer of the freshly-cut stumps. The contractor shall completely spray to saturation all green foliate on multiflora rose plants less than six feet in height with Arsenal AC as a 1-percent solution (4 ounces per 3-gallon mix). Inert dye (blue) provided by the contractor shall be added into all herbicide mixes for ease of inspection. Treat during the months of August to October. Severed vegetation shall be removed from trails/roadways as to not obstruct passage.

In riparian sites, the methods of control for multiflora rose shall include the application of an imazapyr herbicide for aquatic use (HabitatTM).

Sericea lespedezas The methods of control for sericea lespedeza shall include the application of a 2-percent solution of glyphosate herbicide (8 ounces per 3-gallon mix) in water with a surfactant. Spray all foliage to the point of runoff and climbing vines as high as possible. Inert dye (blue) provided by the contractor shall be added into all herbicide mixes for ease of inspection. Treat during the months of July to September.

Winter creeper The methods of control for winter creeper shall include the application of a glyphosate herbicide as a 2% solution (8 ounces per 3-gallon mix) in water with a surfactant. Spray all foliage to the point of runoff and climbing vines as high as possible. Cut all vertical climbing stems. Inert dye (blue) provided by the contractor shall be added into all herbicide mixes for ease of inspection. Treat during the months of July to October.

In riparian areas, the methods of control for winter creeper shall include the application of glyphosate herbicide with an aquatic label (such as RodeoTM).

Nonnative privet The methods of control for nonnative privet shall include the application of an imazapyr herbicide in water with a surfactant to freshly-cut stumps of plants greater than or equal to 6 feet in height or to the foliage of plants less than 6 feet in height. The contractor shall cut nonnative privet plants greater than or equal to six feet in height to the ground without covering other live nonnative privet plants then immediately and fully apply a 10-percent solution of Arsenal AC (1 quart per 3-gallon mix) to the cambium layer of the freshly-cut stumps. The contractor shall completely spray to saturation all green foliate on nonnative privet plants less than six feet in height with a 1-percent solution of Arsenal AC (4 ounces per 3-gallon mix). Inert dye (blue) provided by the contractor shall be added into all herbicide mixes for ease of inspection. Treat during the months of August thru December. Severed vegetation shall be removed from trails/roadways as to not obstruct passage.

In riparian sites, the methods of control for nonnative privet shall include the application of an imazapyr herbicide for aquatic use (HabitatTM).