Exhibit_D_Approved_Pesticides.pdf

Vegetation Maintenance

1.0 Herbicide Application

As of 2010, both DPW and Parks Department along with other County departments operate within the framework of the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Policy (Resolution No. 070851) which emphasizes applying non-pesticide alternatives on County owned or managed land where feasible and, applying the least toxic pesticides to the maximum extent practicable. Under the IPM policy, both County departments and their contractors are required to develop and maintain an active IPM plan that covers areas where limited amounts of pesticides are used. This plan should track pesticide use and evaluate pest control activities performed.

Consistent with the County’s IPM policy, the Maintenance Program uses an integrated approach of chemical and mechanical methods to manage vegetation along trails, roads, and on County lands.

Herbicides are used in conjunction with physical mowing, trimming, pruning, and grazing methods (described above and below, respectively) to control growth weeds and other non-native plant growth and help to reduce fire hazards and prevent re-sprouting of removed trees. The County’s maintenance staff routinely participate in trainings led by the San Mateo County Water Pollution Prevention Program’s (SMCWPPP) Parks Maintenance and IPM Workgroup to keep up-to-date on regulatory requirements and best practices for applying this integrated vegetation management approach.

1.0.01 Herbicide Application along County Roads and Other DPW- Managed Property

In March 2012, the County passed Resolution No. 071857 that eliminated broadcast herbicide spraying throughout the County with the exception of San Carlos and Half Moon Bay airports, and limited spot spraying in certain areas for invasive weed control purposes. Herbicide application is allowable along some County roads to control weeds on any paved concrete surface and up to 3 feet beyond the edge of the paved or concrete surface. Targeted spot spraying is the primary method of herbicide application along County roads and within County parks. This work is only performed by a certified pesticide applicator in accordance with California Department of Pesticide Regulation and according to labeled instructions (County of San Mateo, 2004 – Section 8.21).

While the County aims to minimize herbicide use consistent with the County’s IPM policy, in some County-managed areas, herbicides may be used along roadsides and access roads to prevent weed damage to paved and concrete surfaces like roads, to maintain adequate site distance for drivers, to control spread of invasive species, and to minimize fire hazards. Weeds can cause cracks and eventually potholes in roadway surfaces.

DPW coordinates with the County Agriculture/Weights and Measures Department (Agriculture Department) on invasive plant management issues. The two departments regularly coordinate on management of invasive plants such as fertile capeweed and jubata, which are summarized below. DPW is also a participant in the San Mateo County Weed Management Area, a weed management program in San Mateo County comprised of members from the county, state and local agencies, and other interested organizations and landowners focused on preventing, suppressing and eradicating non-native and invasive plants. In the Pescadero area, growth of fertile capeweed is problematic particularly along Bean Hollow Road. Fertile capeweed is designated as a very rare and very noxious weed by the California Department of Food and Agriculture and a red alert weed by the California Invasive Plant Pest Council. With support from DPW, the County Agriculture Department works in conjunction with a contractor to remove and eliminate this invasive species in Pescadero. The County has established a program whereby the County coordinates with residents and schedules times for a contractor to survey private properties, map, and remove fertile capeweed. Although not directly involved, DPW coordinates with the Agriculture Department to ensure they are aware of the species and shares relevant vegetation maintenance BMPs. Removal of this invasive plant species typically occurs during the winter season by applying herbicides such as Milestone TM or Transline

TM

Growth of jubata grass is problematic in several County-owned parcels including the Half Moon Bay Airport and County-owned property in Pescadero. The County uses a combination of mechanical methods and Alligare

TM

to control jubata grass growth around the runway at this airport. Invasive plant control activities conducted at the County-owned parcels in Pescadero and Half Moon Bay airport are coordinated between DPW and the County Agriculture Department. In the future, similar invasive plant management efforts at Pillar Point Bluff will be coordinated between the County Agriculture Department and Parks Department.

Herbicides application is only conducted when the climate is dry and when wind speeds do not exceed 7 miles per hour. Herbicides are not used in or adjacent to any fish-bearing stream, lake, pond or other water bodies known to support California red-legged frog (see Chapter 9). Near other water bodies, herbicide use is limited to controlling excessive growth of non-native plant species and in accordance with the buffers specified on product labels. Table 6-1 summarizes herbicides that may be used in the Maintenance Program.

Table 1-1. Herbicides Used by DPW

Product Name Chemical Name* Applicable Plant Type Restrictions

Garlon-4

TM

Triclopyr acetic acid, butoxy ethyl ester

Pre-emergent, selective to broadleaf weeds

May not be used within 60 feet of any water course.

Pendulum AquaCap

TM

Pendimethalin with ethylene dichloride

Post-emergent, nonselective.

Approved for aquatic use.

May not be used within 60 feet of any water course.

Roundup Pro

TM

Glyphosate Post-emergent, nonselective.

May not be applied to surface waters.

Roundup Custom

TM

Glyphosate Post-emergent, broad- spectrum weeds

May be applied in aquatic habitats.

Transline

TM

Isopropanol Invasive weed control May not be applied to surface waters.

Milestone

TM

Aminopyralid Post-emergent, broad- spectrum weeds

May not applied to channels that convey water or irrigation ditches.

Alligare

TM

Imazapyr Pre- and post-emergent, nonselective

May not be used within one-half mile upstream of active potable water intake in flowing or standing water

Source: County of San Mateo, 2004

* Currently, the County only applies Alligare and limited quantities of Glyphosate by hand for spot treatments. The County no longer uses the other herbicides listed in the above table.

In addition to the herbicides listed above in Table 6-1, the County is considering the use of several glyphosate alternatives such as acetic acid (i.e., house vinegar), fatty acids, herbicidal soaps, essential oils (i.e., orange, clove, and thyme), as well as herbicides that have a reduced risk to human health and the environment compared to existing conventional herbicides, including glufosinate ammonium, iron HEDTA, and Weed Slayer (an organic herbicide). The County is also evaluating the effectiveness of other methods such as saturated steam and mowing/mulching.