Attachment_E_-_BMP_Land_Manager.pdf

Preventing the Spread of Invasive Plants:

Best Management Practices for Land Managers 3rd Edition

Attachment E

©2012 California Invasive Plant Council Available at www.cal-ipc.org

Cite this report as: Cal-IPC. 2012. Preventing the Spread of Invasive Plants: Best Management Practices for Land Managers (3rd ed.). Cal-IPC Publication 2012-03. California Invasive Plant Council, Berkeley, CA. Available at www.cal-ipc.org.

This report was funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, with funding provided by the USDA Forest Service, State and Private Forestry, through the California Department of Agriculture as well as direct funding from the USDA Forest Service, State and Private Forestry.

In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, the California Invasive Plant Council is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs).

To file a complaint of discrimination: write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326- W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Technical Advisory Team

In 2011, the California Invasive Plant Council formed a technical advisory team comprising land management experts in the state. The technical advisory team guided the development of a set of voluntary invasive plant prevention best management practices (BMPs) for land management.

David Bakke USDA Forest Service

Giselle Block US Fish and Wildlife Service

Diana Brink US Bureau of Land Management

Karen Buhr California Association of Resource Conservation Districts

Joanna Clines USDA Forest Service

Jim Dempsey California State Parks

Garrett Dickman National Park Service

Susan Ellis California Department of Fish and Game

Rena Escobedo USDA Forest Service

Mark Frey The Presidio Trust

Holly Gellerman California Department of Fish and Game

Sarah Godfrey Big Sur Land Trust

Jay Goldsmith National Park Service

Martin Hutten National Park Service

Tim Hyland California State Parks

Diane Ikeda USDA Forest Service

Mike Kelly San Diego Conservation Resources Network

Deborah Nelson USDA Forest Service

Mona Robison California State Parks

Joel Trumbo California Department of Fish and Game

Wendy West University of California, Cooperative Extension

Matthew Bahm National Park Service

David Bakke USDA Forest Service

Steve Bakken California State Parks

Lou Ballard US Fish and Wildlife Service

Paige Boyer USDA Forest Service

Dianna Brink Bureau of Land Management

Philip Brownsey USDA Forest Service

Karen Buhr California Association of Resource Conservation Districts

Joanna Clines USDA Forest Service

Athena Demetry National Park Service

Garrett Dickman National Park Service

Ralph Domanski California Emergency Management Agency

Becca Fenwick University of California Natural Reserve System

Erv Gasser National Park Service

Jay Goldsmith National Park Service

Kevin Guerrero California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

Lisa Hoover USDA Forest Service

Martin Hutten National Park Service

Tim Hyland California State Parks

Diane Ikeda USDA Forest Service

Jon Keeley US Geological Survey

Rob Klinger US Geological Survey

Susan Kocher University of California Cooperative Extension

Cheryl Miller Hills Emergency Forum

Kelly Moroney US Fish and Wildlife Service

(continued)

Technical Advisory Team for Fire and Fuel Management

In 2012, the California Invasive Plant Council formed a technical advisory team comprising fire and land management experts in the state. The technical advisory team guided the development of a set of voluntary invasive plant prevention best management practices (BMPs) for fire and fuel management.

Miriam Morrill US Fish and Wildlife Service

Debra Nelson USDA Forest Service

Julie Nelson USDA Forest Service

Craig Ostergaard California Forest Pest Council

Carol Rice Wildland Resource Management

Mona Robison California State Parks

Courtney Rowe USDA Forest Service

Bob Rynearson California Forest Pest Council

Forest Schafer North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District

Rich Schwab National Park Service

Brenda Seabert California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

David Shy California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

Nelson Siefkin National Park Service

Joel Silverman Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District

Bobbi Simpson National Park Service

Tom Smith California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

Jim Suero California State Parks

Neil Sugihara USDA Forest Service

John Swanson East Bay Regional Park District

Aileen Theile East Bay Regional Park District

Art Torrez USDA Forest Service

Kathy Van Zuuk USDA Forest Service

Wendy West University of California Cooperative Extension

Robin Wills National Park Service

John Winder California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

Kim Zagaris California Emergency Management Agency

Reviewers

Mike Hebrard California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

Scott Hill East Bay Municipal Utility District

Dee McDonough Diablo Fire Safe Council

Christopher Rowney California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

Duane Shintaku California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

Lynn Webb California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region Fire Program Reviewers:

Shelly Allen Van Arroyo Kit Bailey Michael Beasley Robert Bell Gary Biehl Steve Burns Curtis Coots Arlen Cravens Pete Duncan Timothy Dunfee Anthony Escobar Rob Griffith Lorene Guffey Edward Guzman

James Hall Jim Harris Jeff Iler Carlton Joseph Jay Kurth Robert Laeng Shawna Legarza Trudie Mahoney David McMaster Joe Millar Steve Millert Michael Minton Marc Nelson Lance Noxon Steve Parr Jeanne Pincha-Tulley Jeff Power Joe Reyes Allan Setzer Brent Skaggs Susie Stingley Donn Thane Willie Thompson John Truett Randy Unkovich Marva Willey

Cal-IPC Staff

Alice Chung Training Project Manager

Heather DeQuincy Outreach Program Manager

Jen Stern Training Program Manager

Arpita Sinha Training Program Specialist

Doug Johnson Executive Director

Carol Bardoff Training Program Assistant

Technical Advisory Team for Fire and Fuel Management (continued)

Contents Section I: Background

Introduction Prioritizing BMP Implementation Pre-Activity Assessment Outline List of Best Management Practices

Section II: BMP Chapters

1. Planning BMPs

2. Project Materials BMPs

3. Travel BMPs

4. Tool, Equipment and Vehicle Cleaning BMPs

5. Clothing, Boots, and Gear Cleaning BMPs

6. Waste Disposal BMPs

7. Soil Disturbance BMPs

8. Vegetation Management BMPs

9. Revegetation and Landscaping BMPs

10. Fire and Fuel Management BMPs

10.1 Fire Management Planning BMPs

10.2 Fuel Management BMPs

10.3 Fire Suppression BMPs

10.4 Post-Fire Activity BMPs

Section III: Checklists Checklist Introduction Key to BMP Chapter Acronyms A. Site Assessment, Field Mapping & Monitoring B. Routine Vegetation Management C. New Project – Planning D. New Project – Implementation E. Inspection & Cleaning

Section IV: Appendices General Resources Prevention Resources Fire and Fuel Management Resources Glossary References

PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF INVASIVE PLANTS: BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR LAND MANAGERS | 1

Revegetate or mulch disturbed areas to prevent invasive plants from establishing. Photo: David Chang, Santa Barbara County Agricultural Commissioner

Introduction

Purpose Statement The goal of this manual is to present voluntary guidelines that help those managing wildlands in California to prevent the accidental spread of terrestrial invasive plants.

Invasive Plants Federal Executive Order 13112 defines an invasive species as an alien (non-native) species whose introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm, or harm to human health. While the majority of non-native plants do not pose a threat to natural or human systems, the Cal-IPC Invasive Plant Inventory identifies 200 species, approximately 3% of the plant species growing in the wild in California, as invasive (Cal-IPC 2006). These plants have the capacity to alter native ecosystems, with potential detrimental implications for wildlife communities, fire regimes, water flow, and nutrient cycling.

Background Invasive plants can degrade the ecological integrity of wildlands, and land managers employ a range of tactics to reduce this damage. Controlling already established invasive plant infestations is important. However, stopping the introduction and spread of new invasive plant infestations is the most cost-effective approach to reducing this damage. Prevention is a key aspect of invasive plant management that deserves more attention.

2 | PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF INVASIVE PLANTS: BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR LAND MANAGERS

Target Audience This manual was developed for those managing wildlands, and includes guidelines for those involved in wildland fire management. The manual can be used in a number of ways. For instance, land managers can use the material in the manual to conduct trainings for work crews. The manual can help land managers by providing language for contractor specifications for work on their land. Managers can also use the manual to develop educational materials for the public.

Scope The primary focus of this manual is preventing the spread of terrestrial invasive plants. Therefore this manual does not focus on invasive plant control methods; however, control measures are discussed insofar as they relate to prevention. For example, mowing as a control method is not discussed, but because timing of mowing relates directly to potential for invasive plant spread, this aspect is included. Invasive aquatic plants are outside the scope of this manual.

Implementation of BMPs Effective implementation of prevention BMPs requires a process of continuous learning. These voluntary BMPs were developed with the understanding that each situation and entity has different needs, constraints and resources. The applicability and effectiveness of BMPs will vary with existing land uses, degree of human

Land managers must have a good understanding of ways to avoid accidentally spreading invasive plants through their work. Such work often involves travel from one worksite to another. Tools, equipment, vehicles, animals, clothing, boots, and project materials moved between worksites can become potential vectors for the spread of invasive plants. Generally speaking, soil and vegetation disturbance, including construction and maintenance activities, can also create suitable conditions for the establishment of invasive plants.

This manual was developed by a technical advisory team made up of land management experts in the state, organized by the nonprofit California Invasive Plant Council (Cal-IPC) and funded by the USDA Forest Service, State & Private Forestry. The team reviewed existing resources to develop an accessible overview of key prevention measures that can be used by all land managers. References to source documents, some of which include extensive detail, can be found in the References section at the end of this manual.

Terminology In this manual, we occasionally use the term “weed” to mean “invasive plant”, such as when referring to “weed-free straw” for erosion control. We also use the general term invasive plant “spread” to mean introduction of invasive plants to a new area, establishment of new invasive plant populations, or spread of existing invasive plant populations. The Glossary at the end of the manual lists terms used in this text.

Best Management Practices (BMPs) Best Management Practices are methods or techniques found to be the most effective and practical in achieving an objective, such as preventing or reducing invasive plant spread, while making optimal use of resources.

Prevention BMPs that reduce invasive plant spread can help:

• Reduce future maintenance needs and cost

• Reduce fire hazards

• Reduce herbicide use

• Enhance access and safety

• Limit liability for the governing agency or lessee

• Maintain good public relations

• Protect existing wildlife habitat, native plant populations, beneficial insects, as well as threatened and endangered species.

PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF INVASIVE PLANTS: BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR LAND MANAGERS | 3 disturbance, the objectives of the land owners, and the resources available for management activities. For example, programmatic planning BMPs may be less applicable to smaller restoration groups, as these BMPs are more suited for large agencies. A discussion of Prioritizing BMP Implementation appears later in this section on page 5 of this draft to help determine which BMPs to emphasize depending on situational factors. Some BMPs may be able to be implemented with existing resources, while others may only be possible pending allocation of additional resources.

Conducting a thorough pre-activity assessment will help to identify which tasks can spread invasive plants (See Pre-Activity Assessment Outline on page 6 of this draft). Many of these BMPs may overlap with existing practices or standard mitigations, such as those for Storm Water Pollution Prevention, clean air regulations, pest quarantines, or rare species protections.

Using This Manual This manual provides BMPs to aid in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive plants. Its recommendations are voluntary; each organization can choose how to best incorporate and phase this information into their operations.

Section I includes overview information on what BMPs are, why they are important, and how to best implement them. This section also provides recommendations for BMP prioritization.

Section II provides detail on a wide range of topic-specific BMPs for preventing the spread of invasive plants.

Each BMP is appropriate for particular situations; users can select those that are suitable for their use.

The BMPs described in Section II are structured as follows:

BMP Statement: Prevention BMP statements, in bold font, describe practices that can prevent the introduction and spread of invasive plants.

Considerations:

a. BMP Considerations are listed below the BMP Statement\

b. BMP Considerations give more information about why the BMP is important, and may include details, suggestions, examples, and issues to consider when applying the BMP.

Section III presents ready-to-use checklists which contain only the BMP statements to provide a quick and portable reference for field activities. The checklists are divided into five categories:

• Site Assessment, Field Mapping and Monitoring

• Routine Vegetation Management

• New Project – Planning

• New Project – Implementation

• Inspection and Cleaning

These checklists can be used as templates and be modified based on your needs.

Section IV has additional resources and information, a glossary, and other references.

4 | PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF INVASIVE PLANTS: BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR LAND MANAGERS

Definition and Categorization of Activities Definition and categorization of activities may vary among agencies and organizations. For this reason, the definition and scope of each activity and how it may spread invasive plants is described in the introduction of each chapter. When using this manual, consider your activity’s scope and potential impact as it relates to the potential to introduce or spread invasive plants. Refer to BMPs in related chapters to customize your prevention practices.

Overall Prevention Principles Take time to plan. Proper planning can reduce future maintenance costs by reducing the potential for invasive plant introduction and spread. A good first step is to conduct a pre-activity assessment of the work area to determine which activities could spread weeds and which BMPs are applicable.

Stop movement of invasive plant materials and seeds. The movement of workers, materials and equipment can carry weeds between sites. This manual identifies potential vectors of spread and how to eliminate them or reduce their effects.

Reduce soil and vegetation disturbance. Disturbance can allow invasive plants to colonize a new area. When disturbance is unavoidable, managers should conduct follow-up monitoring to ensure early detection of any invasive plants that may have been introduced.

Maintain desired plant communities. A healthy plant community with native and desirable species provides resistance to invasive plant establishment.

Practice early detection and rapid response (EDRR). Early detection and eradication of small populations helps prevent the spread of invasive plants and significantly reduces weed management costs. Regular monitoring increases the chances of success.

PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF INVASIVE PLANTS: BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR LAND MANAGERS | 5

The prevention BMPs in this manual are developed with the understanding that each situation and entity has different needs and resources. This outline can help you select which areas and species to prioritize when integrating BMPs into management activities.

Prioritizing BMP Implementation

1. Management costs. Prioritize:

• Areas where future control costs will be high if invasive plants become established

• Areas where fire risk is high

• BMPs with approaches that are measurable in cost and effectiveness

2. Ecological value of habitats. Prioritize:

• Areas with threatened or endangered species and habitat

• Areas of high ecological or conservation value

• Areas where invasive plants have not invaded

3. Context of the area being managed. Prioritize:

• Wildland and natural areas

• Areas with new construction or disturbance

• Areas containing water bodies

• Areas with important scenic or recreational resources

• Areas where adjacent land owners are cooperative

• Areas where wildland interfaces with urban areas

• Wildland areas frequented by vehicles, equipment and foot traffic

4. Treatment of invasive species. Prioritize:

• Species known or suspected to be invasive but still in small numbers

• Species that can alter ecosystem processes

• Species with the potential to alter fire regimes

• Species that occur in areas of high conservation value

• Species with the potential to require high management costs

• Species that are likely to be controlled successfully

• Species determined to be of regional concern as identified through regional partnerships

6 | PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF INVASIVE PLANTS: BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR LAND MANAGERS

Pre-Activity Assessment Outline

This assessment outline can help you proactively address activities that have the potential to spread invasive plants. A site assessment and a description of planned activities will need to be completed as part of this pre-activity assessment.

1. Conduct a site assessment to ascertain:

• A list of invasive plant species found in route to and within worksites. Include exact locations and densities, and the species’ dispersal mechanisms.

• A list of priority areas for implementing prevention BMPs. Refer to Prioritizing BMP Implementation on the previous page for guidance on prioritization.

2. Describe each activity (e.g. roadside mowing, facility inspection, access road grading and maintenance, and pole/tower repair) to ascertain:

• Location(s) of the activity

• Location(s) of access routes

• Timing for the activity

• Tools and equipment to used

• Materials to be moved, imported or exported

• Expected alteration of existing vegetation and soil

3. List the sequence of tasks that are included in the activity. Identify which tasks can be altered to reduce the likelihood of invasive plant spread based on:

Task location

a. Is there a location for this task with less potential to spread invasive plants?

b. Can access routes be changed to avoid traveling through invasive plant populations?

c. If materials are being moved, is there a better location for materials to be stored?

Task timing

a. Can the task be performed in a different time (earlier/later in the season) or in a different sequence

(e.g. spraying after mowing)?

b. Can invasive plant populations be treated before project tasks commence to reduce the spread of invasive plant parts and seeds?

Task method

a. Is there a different method of performing the task that can reduce the risk of spread?

b. Could using different tools/equipment/materials reduce the risk of spread?

c. Are weed-free materials available?

4. Select BMPs from the following chapters to address the potential introduction and spread of invasive plants.

PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF INVASIVE PLANTS: BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR LAND MANAGERS | 7

List of Best Management Practices

Chapter 3: Travel BMPs

TR1: Plan travel to reduce the risk of invasive plant spread.

TR2: Integrate cleaning activities into travel planning.

Chapter 4: Tool, Equipment and Vehicle Cleaning BMPs

TE1: Designate cleaning areas for tools, equipment, and vehicles.

TE2: Inspect tools, equipment, and vehicles before entering and leaving the worksite.

TE3: Clean soils and plant materials from tools, equipment, and vehicles before entering and leaving the worksite.

TE4: Clean pack, grazing and support animals.

Chapter 5: Clothing, Boots and Gear Cleaning BMPs

CB1: Wear clothing, boots and gear that do not retain soil and plant material.

CB2: Designate cleaning areas for clothing, boots and gear.

CB3: Clean clothing, footwear and gear before leaving the worksite.

Chapter 6: Waste Disposal BMPs

WD1: Designate waste disposal areas for invasive plant materials.

WD2: Render invasive plant material nonviable when keeping it on-site.

WD3: When disposing of invasive plant material off-site, contain it during transport.

(continued)

Chapter 1: Planning BMPs

Programmatic Planning

PL1: Adopt official policy to prevent invasive plant introduction and spread.

PL2: Include invasive plant risk evaluation as a component of initial project planning.

PL3: Integrate invasive plant prevention BMPs into design, construction, vegetation management and maintenance planning activities.

PL4: Coordinate invasive plant prevention efforts with adjacent property owners and local agencies.

PL5: Develop monitoring plans for BMP implementation and effectiveness.

Activity Planning

PL6: Provide prevention training to staff, contractors and volunteers prior to starting work.

PL7: Conduct a site assessment for invasive plant infestations before carrying out field activities.

PL8: Schedule activities to minimize potential for introduction and spread of invasive plants.

PL9: Integrate cleaning BMPs into planning for land management activities.

PL10: Prepare worksite to limit the introduction and spread of invasive plants.

PL11: Monitor the site for invasive plants after land management activities.

Chapter 2: Project Material BMPs

PM1: Use a weed-free source for project materials.

PM2: Prevent invasive plant contamination of project materials when stockpiling and during transport.

8 | PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF INVASIVE PLANTS: BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR LAND MANAGERS

FP4: Plan to utilize weed-free materials for post-fire activities.

Fuel Management BMPs

FM1: Incorporate invasive plant considerations when developing fuel management programs.

FM2: Maintain active management of invasive plants on fuel management sites.

FM3: Reduce disturbance when implementing fuel management activities.

FM4: Incorporate invasive plant considerations when using prescribed fire.

Fire Suppression BMPs

FS1: Develop operational procedures related to fire suppression to reduce the spread of invasive plants.

FS2: Locate indirect fire lines to reduce additional disturbance and invasive plant spread where feasible.

FS3: Locate fire activity areas in locations free of invasive plants where feasible.

FS4: Clean vehicles, equipment, clothing and gear before arriving and leaving fire activity areas.

FS5: Use water sources free of invasive plants for fire suppression when feasible.

Post-Fire Activities BMPs

PF1: Manage access to burned areas.

PF2: Use weed-free materials for post-fire activities.

PF3: Cover and rehabilitate soil disturbed by suppression activity.

PF4: Develop and implement post-fire integrated invasive plant management prescriptions.

PF5: Revegetate burned areas to reduce the spread of invasive plants.

Chapter 7: Soil Disturbance BMPs

SD1: Minimize soil disturbance.

SD2: Implement erosion control practices.

SD3: Manage existing topsoil and duff material to reduce contamination by invasive plants.

Chapter 8: Vegetation Management BMPs

VM1: Schedule vegetation management activities to maximize the effectiveness of control efforts and minimize introduction and spread of invasive plants.

VM2: Manage vegetation with methods favorable to desirable vegetation.

VM3: Retain existing desirable vegetation and canopy.

Chapter 9: Revegetation and Landscaping BMPs

RL1: Develop revegetation and landscaping plans that optimize resistance to invasive plant establishment.

RL2: Acquire plant materials locally. Verify that species used are not invasive.

RL3: Revegetate and/or mulch disturbed soils as soon as possible to reduce likelihood of invasive plant establishment.

Chapter 10: Fire and Fuel Management BMPs

Fire Management Planning BMPs

FP1: Consider wildfire implications when setting overall priorities for invasive plant management programs.

FP2: Integrate invasive plant prevention into fire management plans.

FP3: Provide training in preventing the spread of invasive plants.

List of Best Management Practices (continued)

Chapter 1: Planning BMPs

PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF INVASIVE PLANTS: BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR LAND MANAGERS | 9 and mapping invasive plants at worksites is critical for evaluating threats. This helps determine high-risk spots for potential establishment and spread, and helps land managers select appropriate prevention practices.

This chapter includes two sections on planning:

programatic planning and activity planning.

Programmatic Planning BMPs are critical because they lay the framework for prevention BMPs to be integrated into all activity planning and land management. Activity Planning BMPs focus on limiting the introduction and spread of invasive plants during each stage of land management. These BMPs start on page 11.

PROGRAMMATIC PLANNING BMPs:

PL1: Adopt official policy to prevent invasive plant introduction and spread.

a. Adopt an environmental stewardship policy that encourages preventing the introduction and spread of invasive plants.

b. Increase organization/agency-wide awareness of invasive plant impacts.

Integrating prevention BMPs into land management can significantly minimize the introduction and spread of invasive plants. Effective planning reduces costs and enhances project success. This chapter addresses how and when to integrate prevention BMPs into planning and management, and highlights the importance of communication among staff, adjacent property owners and local agencies.

Identifying invasive plant risks early in the planning process helps organizations develop strategies to prioritize prevention measures, allocate resources, and incorporate prevention costs into budgets throughout the project life cycle. Additionally, tracking the costs and results of implementing prevention BMPs will provide references for future projects.

Planning includes developing schedules, budgets, and strategies as well as identifying critical control points for carrying out preventation BMPs. Identifying

Map invasive plants before starting work to designate work routes and detect invasive plant infestations early. Photo: Arpita Sinha, Cal-IPC

10 | PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF INVASIVE PLANTS: BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR LAND MANAGERS

c. Consider using multi-disciplinary teams to address site-specific invasive plant prevention and control challenges.

d. Identify funding, priorities, and personnel assignments for invasive plant prevention.

Consider having a dedicated invasive plant contact person.

PL2: Include invasive plant risk evaluation as a component of initial project planning.

a. Integrate invasive plant identification and risk analysis as a part of NEPA/CEQA processes.

b. Evaluate invasive plant spread risks and the long-term maintenance consequences with natural resource managers. Determine project alternatives and management needs based on a pre-activity assessment. See Pre-Activity Assessment Outline on page 6.

c. Incorporate invasive plant prevention measures into project layout, design, and project decisions.

d. Develop mitigation plans for areas where avoidance of invasive plants is not possible.

e. Designate known invasive plant occurrences in maintenance plans and any associated contracts.

PL3: Integrate invasive plant prevention BMPs into design, construction, vegetation management and maintenance planning activities.

a. Include BMP costs in all budgets, estimates and bid packages. Include costs for prevention training for staff and contractors, cleaning routines for clothing, tools, equipment and vehicles, and site preparation and monitoring.

b. Track cost and results of implementing BMPs as a reference for future project planning and cost estimates.

c. Integrate cleaning routines into all land management activities. For detailed cleaning protocol see Checklist E on page 49.

d. Develop incentive programs among staff and volunteers to encourage invasive plant detection and reporting.

e. Include invasive plant prevention measures as part of contract notes and specifications.

f. Develop plant lists and design guidelines for revegetation and landscaping that will optimize resistance to invasive plant establishment. For details see RL1 on page 31.

g. Plan to minimize soil and vegetation disturbance during activities. For details see SD1 on page 27 and VM3 on page 30.

h. When designing vegetation management projects, consider the life cycle and dispersal mechanisms of the invasive plant species within and/or adjacent to the worksite.

i. Acquire documentation of invasive plants along roadways and address treatment strategies in the course of road maintenance activities.

PL4: Coordinate invasive plant prevention efforts with adjacent property owners and local agencies.

a. Coordinate prevention efforts with adjacent property owners to ensure their activities will minimize the introduction or spread of invasive plants into the worksite or neighboring properties.

b. Coordinate with local and state agencies to streamline record keeping systems of invasive plant infestations. Incorporate updates into appropriate databases such as CalWeedMapper (www.calweedmapper.calflora.org) and share with local and state agencies.

c. Coordinate new research on invasive plant prevention and technology with Cal-IPC, agencies, and universities. Share findings with public and private partners.

PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF INVASIVE PLANTS: BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR LAND MANAGERS | 11

ACTIVITY PLANNING BMPs:

In addition to the following BMPs, also refer to related BMPS in:

• Chapter 2: Project Materials for procuring and managing erosion and project materials.

PL6: Provide prevention training to staff, contractors and volunteers prior to starting work.

a. Provide pre-work training on invasive plants and prevention BMPs to staff, contractors and volunteers. Training should include:

• Field identification of invasive plants in the work area

• Reproductive biology of invasive plants

• Ecological and economic impacts of invasive plants

• Invasive plant prevention BMPs

• Inspection and cleaning protocols for vehicles, tools, equipment, clothes and personal gear

• When and how to record and report occurrences for invasive plants

• How to use prevention resources (reporting websites, checklists, etc.)

• How to treat materials infested with invasive plant propagules.

PL5: Develop monitoring plans for BMP implementation and effectiveness.

a. Establish a periodic monitoring program based on knowledge of high priority invasive plant life cycles (ideally three times a year and during growth periods).

b. Identify and monitor sites that are susceptible to invasion, such as post construction areas and roadsides (from the edge of pavement extending a minimum of fifteen feet), pull outs, trailheads, campgrounds and parking lots.

c. Define “zero tolerance” zones in critical habitats.

Commit to keeping these areas free of invasive plants through frequent monitoring and control efforts.

d. Track results of implementing BMPs as a reference for future project planning and cost estimates.

e. Develop follow-up treatments as needed based on monitoring results.

f. Consider modifying BMP implementation based on the following questions:

• Were invasive plant populations reduced or adequately suppressed thus preventing spread?

• Was the planned procedure used? If not, why did it vary from the original plan?

• Were invasive plant prevention costs equal to, less than, or more than projected prevention costs?

• What was the effect on the targeted invasive plant species?

• Were there any side-effects on non-target organisms from implementing prevention measures?

• Was available funding and manpower adequate?

• Was personnel training adequate?

Train staff and contractors in prevention measures.

Ph ot o:

Jo hn Lu ke r, Ca lif or ni a St at e P ar ks

, A ng el es

D ist ric t

12 | PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF INVASIVE PLANTS: BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR LAND MANAGERS

b. Scout for invasive plants at likely introduction sites such as roadsides, trailheads, campgrounds, staging areas, and other disturbed areas. Wet areas may also be especially susceptible.

c. Scout not only within the worksite but nearby as well.

d. Gauge the extent and intensity of scouting based on:

• Threat of invasive plants to critical habitats

• Size of the worksite

• Type of activity (whether the activity disturbs ground or vegetation, and the degree of the disturbance)

• Adjacent environment

e. Be especially aware of invasive plant species that are not widespread in the work area and can be controlled using early detection and rapid response. Flag areas infested with invasive plants that are not widespread in the work area. Either avoid disturbance in those areas, or identify and

b. Provide additional training to staff and contractors managing project materials. Training should include:

• How to acquire weed-free materials

• Project material inspection protocols

c. Ensure staff and contractors understand provisions for invasive plant prevention throughout the project. Invasive plant considerations should be routinely addressed during pre-bid, pre-work and meetings, as appropriate.

d. Identify and train personnel responsible for inspection of cleaned tools, equipment and vehicles at facilities and worksites. Require an inspection form or checklist be used to document tools, equipment and vehicles are cleaned before leaving an infested worksite and are clean upon arrival at a clean/uninfested worksite.

e. Provide invasive plant identification guides, prevention BMPs, activity, and cleaning and inspection checklists (see Checklists on page

53) to staff, contractors, and volunteers. Provide these resources in other languages when appropriate. Also have these resources available at highly visible locations such as:

• Access points

• Field stations and work trailers

f. Educate all site users about preventing invasive plant spread.

• Post invasive plant prevention messages using signs and posters at prominent locations such as visitor centers, campgrounds, trailheads.

Provide informational materials to site users at visitor centers and events.

• Install prevention equipment such as boot brushes and washing stations at trailheads.

PL7: Conduct a site assessment for invasive plant infestations before carrying out field activities.

a. A site assessment for invasive plant infestations includes scouting for invasive plants found within the worksite (including the exact locations and densities), and determining priority areas for implementing prevention BMPs.

Evaluate invasive plant risk as a part of project planning and environmental analysis.

Ph ot o:

M ar tin

H ut te n, Y os em ite

N at io na l P ar k

PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF INVASIVE PLANTS: BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR LAND MANAGERS | 13

PL8: Schedule activities to minimize potential for introduction and spread of invasive plants.

a. Prioritize reducing invasive plant seed production along roadsides (edge to fifteen feet along roadway edge) to reduce seed movement by vehicles.

b. Conduct work under conditions that minimize the risk of spread (e.g. frozen ground, snow cover, seed absence).

c. Avoid working during rain events and high winds. Wet conditions make it easier for seeds to be picked up by a vehicle and spread miles down the road.

d. Develop site-specific plans for controlling existing invasive plants before ground-disturbing activities begin.

• Control invasive plants along access roads before moving equipment into the worksite.

• Manage invasive plants three to five years prior to the planned disturbance to minimize invasive plant seeds in the soil, when feasible.

e. For details on scheduling vegetation management see VM1 on page 29.

PL9: Integrate cleaning BMPs into planning for land management activities.

a. Determine cleaning needs for tools, vehicles, equipment, clothing, boots and gear in conjunction with each activity and worksite.

Include these cleaning needs in project plans, and make prior arrangements for any special needs identified. For details on cleaning see Chapters 4 and 5 on pages 21 and 23.

b. Include cleaning costs in project budgets.

c. Acquire necessary cleaning tools.

d. Designate sites for cleaning vehicles, equipment, pack animals, clothing and gear.

e. Identify cleaning facilities (such as car washes) near the worksite, in the event that cleaning on-site is not an option.

f. Use inspection checklists to ensure comprehensive cleaning. See Checklist E on page 59.

isolate contaminated soils during construction or other disturbance. Isolated contaminated soils should be either placed back in the original location or disposed of appropriately to avoid spreading isolated populations of invasive plants throughout the worksite.

f. Review internal documentation and consult local groups and online resources for information on existing and potential invasive plant infestations on and near worksites.

• Weed Management Areas (WMAs), County Agricultural Commissioner offices, and Resource Conservation Districts are key local groups that have broad awareness of infestations in a given area. Cal-IPC currently maintains an online list of WMAs (www.cal-ipc.

org/WMAs).

• Cal-IPC works with a range of partners to map invasive plants across the state. Occurrence data for invasive plants can be found online at CalWeedMapper (www.calweedmapper.

calflora.org), Calflora (calflora.org) and on the California Department of Fish & Game’s BIOS viewer (www.bios.dfg.ca.gov).

• Specimen data can also be found at the California Consortium of California Herbaria (http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/consortium/), which houses data for over 20 California herbaria including the California Department of Food and Agriculture Weed Laboratory.

g. Document invasive plant findings and communicate them to resource or facility managers.

h. Incorporate findings into a database (e.g.

www.calweedmapper.calflora.org) and project drawings or maps.

i. Evaluate invasive plant risks. Determine invasive prevention and management needs at the onset of activity planning. Prioritize treatment of invasive plants based on guidelines in Prioritizing BMP Implementation on page 4.

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e. Monitor during multiple growing seasons, especially at times of germination and flowering, for a minimum of three years after project completion to ensure that any invasive plants are promptly detected and controlled. If three years is not sufficient to control invasive plants, monitoring and treatment should be continued until confident that invasion has been controlled.

f. For on-going projects, continue to monitor until reasonably certain that invasive plants will not reappear. Plan for follow-up treatments based on presence of invasive plants.

PL10: Prepare worksite to limit the introduction and spread of invasive plants.

a. Protect likely introduction sites such as pull-outs, trailheads, campgrounds, and parking lots from invasive plant introductions by paving, deep mulching, or planting a dominant non-invasive groundcover.

b. Periodically inspect areas of concentrated use, such as staging areas, parking areas, trailheads, or campgrounds, and keep them free of invasive plants.

c. Treat invasive plants at access roads and staging areas before using them.

d. Control invasive plants in areas adjacent to worksites. This prevents seeds or other reproductive structures from moving into the worksite. If removing plants is not feasible, stopping seed set can be an effective way to reduce the potential for spreading the plant.

e. Position activity boundaries to exclude areas infested with invasive plants. Activity boundaries include staging areas, timber harvest landings, skid trails, access roads and other temporary facilities. If this is not possible, control invasive plants in infested areas prior to their use.

PL11: After land management activities, monitor worksites for invasive plants.

a. Carry out the established monitoring plan.

Partner with local WMAs (www.cal-ipc.org/ WMAs), agencies and organizations to help with monitoring when possible.

b. Train staff to recognize and report invasive plants as part of ongoing monitoring.

c. Monitor areas including:

• On-site cleaning area

• Waste disposal area

• Areas where project materials are stored

• Access routes, roads and other areas of concentrated use

• Areas near salt licks, watering sites, loading/ unloading areas and corrals for animals

d. Monitor and maintain revegetation and landscaping to ensure long-term establishment of desired plant species.

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N at io na l P ar k Monitor worksite for invasive plant infestations after activities.

relationships with suppliers and requesting that they supply weed-free materials can help to increase demand and availability of these materials.

Project materials include:

• Erosion control materials (silt fences, fiber roll barriers, straw wattles, mulch and straw)

• Soil and aggregate (topsoil, fill, sand, and gravel)

• Landscape materials (plants, seed, sod, mulch, and soil amendments)

• Animal/livestock feed

• Water (for cleaning or irrigation)

• Construction/building materials

Project materials are common vectors of invasive plant introduction into new areas. Infested project materials that are imported to worksites can introduce invasive plant propagules and lead to new infestations.

This chapter includes practices for minimizing the spread of invasive plants from project materials.

Effective project material management can prevent invasive plant spread at the source and minimize contamination during transport and stockpiling.

Because project materials are often managed by different entities or departments during different project phases, developing a procedure for procuring, storing, and inspecting materials at critical control points will streamline materials management and minimize contamination. Additionally, developing

Project materials contaminated with invasive plant seeds and parts and spread invasive plants. Use weed-free materials to prevent spreading invasive plants.

Photo: Martin Hutten, Yosemite National Park

PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF INVASIVE PLANTS: BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR LAND MANAGERS | 15

Chapter 2: Project Materials BMPs

16 | PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF INVASIVE PLANTS: BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR LAND MANAGERS

PM1: Use a weed-free source for project materials.

a. Develop a procedure for procuring and storing weed-free materials and inspecting material sources. Cultivate relationships with suppliers to streamline sourcing of weed-free materials.

b. Select materials based on the environmental needs of the worksite. Understand how weed-free materials are produced, whether the screening criteria is based on noxious weeds or wildland invasive plants. Weed-free materials may not be 100% weed-free, but using weed-free materials can reduce the probability of exposure to invasive plant parts and seeds.

• Noxious weeds are agricultural weeds listed by the California Department of Food and Agriculture. www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/ipc/ weedinfo/winfo_list-pestrating.htm

• California Invasive Plant Council’s inventory lists wildland invasive plants. www.cal-ipc.org/ ip/inventory/

c. Determine the degree to which weed-free project materials are needed for each worksite.

Materials from an infested site may be suitable for a worksite that is already infested with the same species. Excavated material from areas containing invasive plants may be reused within the limits of the infestation.

• For example, materials from a yellow starthistle infested site could be reused in areas already infested by yellow starthistle, but not in areas free of yellow starthistle.

• Unused excavated material contaminated with invasive plants should be stockpiled on an impervious surface and managed until all invasive plant material is non-viable. For details on managing stockpiled materials see PM2 on page 18.

d. Use weed-free materials for erosion control and soil stabilization.

• When available, use weed-free straw certified by a county agriculture department, coconut fiber, rice straw and/or native grass straw.

These types of erosion control material have limited quantities of invasive plants or contain wetland species that may not survive in dry upland conditions. See Cal-IPC (www.cal-ipc.

org/ip/prevention) for a Weed-Free Forage & Straw Supplier List.

• Perform follow-up inspections at sites where erosion control materials have been used to ensure that any invasive plant introductions are caught early and treated.

e. Use weed-free sand and gravel.

• Any fill material brought on-site should be clean, debris-free, and devoid of invasive plant parts or seeds. Do not borrow fill from weed-infested stockpiles, road shoulders or ditch lines.

• Inspect aggregate material sources (including but not limited to surrounding ditches, topsoil piles, gravel/sand piles or pits). See Cal-IPC (www.cal-ipc.org/ip/prevention) for information about procuring weed-free sand and gravel.

f. Use weed-free seed. Verify seed mix to ensure it does not contain invasive plants.

• Use local seeding guidelines for your county to determine procedures and appropriate seed mixes.

• A certified seed laboratory should test each lot according to Association of Seed Technologists and Analysts (AOSTA) standards (which include a statewide invasive plant list) and provide documentation of the seed inspection test. Check state, federal, and California Invasive Plant Council lists to see if any local weeds need to be added prior to testing. For more information on locating lists of invasive plants, see PM1d on page 16.

Contaminated project materials, like this gravel pile, can spread invasive plants to worksites.

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PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF INVASIVE PLANTS: BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR LAND MANAGERS | 17

k. If unable to obtain materials from a weed-free source:

• Work with a local weed specialist to sterilize or treat materials and provide results of post-treatment inspection. Monitor application areas. For monitoring protocol see PL11 on page 14.

• If soil sources are infested, treat the invasive plants, then strip the infested topsoil and stockpile the contaminated material for several years to further deplete the soil seed bank. Check regularly for re-emergence of invasive plants and treat as needed.

• Inspect the area where material from weed-infested sources were used annually for at least three years after project completion to ensure that any invasive plants transported to the site are promptly detected and controlled.

For monitoring protocol see PL11 on page 14.

l. Inspect project materials, sources, and storage areas for invasive plants annually and prior to each use to ensure that no invasive plants have invaded since the last inspection. Record inspec-tion results. Continue to monitor worksites for three year after project completion.

m. When feasible, include penalties, performance standards, or withholding provisions in contract specifications by which a contractor is assessed monetary damages for importing invasive plants as a result of non-compliance with contract specifications.

• Seed purchased commercially should have a label that states the following:

• Species

• Purity: Most seed should be no less than 75% pure and preferably over 85% pure.

The rest is inert matter, weed seed, or other seed.

• Weed seed content: The tag should state NO invasive plants are present. Only certified weed-free seed should be used. Note that seed is usually certified to be “noxious weed free”, referring to the California Department of Food and Agriculture noxious weed list, and may still contain seeds of wildland invasive plant species not included on the noxious weed list.

• Germination of desired seed: Germination generally should not be less than 50% for most species, although some shrubs and forbs will have lower percentages.

g. Keep and reuse on-site weed-free materials rather than importing new materials to limit contamination.

• Stockpile topsoil along perimeter of project for later use rather than importing topsoil. For details on topsoil management, see SD3 on page 28.

• Consider using mulch from non-invasive plant species chipped on site when feasible.

h. Find local sources when off-site weed-free project materials are needed. Inspect project material suppliers as appropriate to determine if the source is weed-free. Weed-free materials may not be 100% weed-free, but using these materials can reduce the probability of exposure to invasive plant contamination.

i. Designate and use weed-free water sources for each project.

• Inspect water sources to prevent introduction of invasive plants or animals.

• Designate weed free pathways to water sources.

j. Provide weed-free feed for livestock and pack animals before and after project use to limit invasive plant seed transport via manure.

These certified weed-free rice straw wattles are contained in plastic packaging to protect them from invasive plant establishment.

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