Chat_Riv2.doc

Eradication of Non Native Invasive weeds – Chattooga River Ranger District, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest

Location: Chattooga River 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 139 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

Clopyralid Use Aquatic

Imazapyr Use Aquatic Label

110.3

* 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.

*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 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.

Tall fescue The methods of control for tall fescue shall include the application of a 0.5-percent solution of a glyphosate herbicide (2 quarts per 10 gallons mix per acre) in water with a surfactant. Inert dye (blue) provided by the contractor shall be added into all herbicide mixes for ease of inspection. Treat during the months in spring. Wildlife openings that are infested with fescue may be treated mechanically with a rotary mower before the application of herbicide, depending on both funding and the best interest of the government.

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

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. Wildlife openings that are infested with autumn olive may be treated mechanically with a rotary mower before the application of herbicide, depending on both funding and the best interest of the government. Severed vegetation shall be removed from trails/roadways as to not obstruct passage.

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

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.

Sericea lespedezas The methods of control for sericea lespedezas 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. Wildlife openings that are infested with lespedeza may be treated mechanically with a rotary mower before the application of herbicide, depending on funding and the best interest of the government.

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

Chinese privet The methods of control for Chinese 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 Chinese privet plants greater than or equal to six feet in height to the ground without covering other live Chinese 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 Chinese 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 Chinese privet shall include the application of an imazapyr herbicide for aquatic use (HabitatTM).