Pest_Management_Plan__2012_(With_2015_udpates)-re-sized.pdf

Pest Management Plan For

The United States Air Force Academy

November 2012

Table of Contents

Executive Summary Page 3

Record of Changes and Reviews Page 7

Section 1- Introduction Page 8

Section 2- Responsibilities Page 10

Section 3- Integrated Pest Management Page 15

Section 4- Pest Management Strategies Page 17

Section 5- Program Management Page 28

Section 6- Health and Safety Page 31

Section 7- Special Environmental Concerns Page 33

Section 8- Program Administration Page 34

Section 9- Interest Items Page 35

Attachments

Attachment A- Pesticide General Permit Information Page 36

Attachment B- Correspondence with EPA Page 38

Attachment C- Noxious Weed Management Plan Page 41

Attachment D- Certification of Training or Competency Page 84

Attachment E- Spill Prevention and Response Procedures Page 88

Executive Summary

Introduction

The US Air Force Academy (Academy) Pest Management Program prevents pest and disease vectors from adversely affecting operations at the Academy by maintaining an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program that establishes safe, effective, and environmentally sound procedures. This Pest Management Plan (PMP) was developed to describe how the Academy will achieve these objectives. Specifically, the plan describes the Academy's pest management philosophy; outlines specific strategies for the Academy's principal pests; explains the administrative structure of the Academy's pest management organizations; and describes how the Academy addresses the health, safety, security, and environmental concerns associated with pest management.

Pest Management Philosophy

The Academy follows the principles of IPM. This approach to pest control includes:

1. Emphasizing prevention

2. Uses monitoring to determine if treatments are needed

3. Employing physical, mechanical, cultural, biological and educational control tactics

4. Using the least-toxic chemical control as a last resort

Principal Pests. The table below lists the principal pests present at the Academy.

Health Related Pests

Household Pests

Noxious Weeds

Golf Course Pests

Vertebrate Pests Misc Pests

Bats (Rabies) Cockroaches Field Bind weed Anthracnose Bears Aquatic Weeds

Black Widow Spiders Miller Moths

Canada and Bull Thistle

Black Turfgrass Ataenius Coyotes Clover Mites

*Black-tailed Prairie Dogs St. Johnswort Dandelions

Mountain Lions Cluster Flies

*Gunnison Prairie Dogs

Dalmation and Yellow Toadflax Fairy Ring

Pocket Gophers

Conifer Seed Bug

Mice

Diffuse, Spotted, and Russian Knapweed

Filamentous Algae Raccoons

Mosquitoes (West Nile Virus)

Russian Olive Knap Weeds Skunks

Health Related Pests

Household Pests

Noxious Weeds

Golf Course Pests

Vertebrate Pests Misc Pests

Raccoons (Canine Distemper)

Fuller's Teasel Mullen Weed Squirrels

Rattlesnakes Hoary Cress Snow Mold

Black- Tailed Prairie Dogs

*Rock Squirrels Leafy Spurge

Sod Web Worm

Skunks (Rabies)

Musk and Scotch Thistle Thistles

Wasps and Bees

Myrtle Spurge White Grubs

Tamarisk *Could potentially have plague carrying fleas

Pest Control Responsibilities

The Academy’s pest control responsibilities fall into four separate categories, which are identified and explained below:

Wildlife Control Wildlife Control pertains to the control and removal of all vertebrate pests on the Academy.

Wildlife Control is the responsibility of the Operations Division (10 CES/CEO), Natural Resources (10 CES/CEIEA), and Security Forces (10 SFS/SFOL). An external contractor is responsible for the control and removal of all vertebrates up to and including raccoon-sized pests during normal duty hours (0730 to 1600). Service request for non-emergency situations can be made 24-hours a day. Emergencies and incidents involving wildlife in roadways during off duty hours and on weekends are forwarded to Security Forces. Security Forces responds and notifies Natural Resources. Natural Resources is responsible for the control and removal of all large vertebrates and all state and federally regulated species, including federally listed threatened and endangered species, birds of prey and large mammals (i.e. mountain lions, bears, deer and elk).

To place a service request, phone CE Production Control (719) 333-2790

To place an after-hours (Emergency), phone (719) 333-3334 (Heat Plant)

To contact Security Forces (emergencies and wildlife in roadways), phone (719) 333-2000

Grounds Maintenance and Noxious Weed Control 10 CES/CEOS manages a separate contract to support Grounds Maintenance. Grounds maintenance refers to the preventative maintenance and upkeep of vegetation in all improved areas of the Academy. This includes, but is not limited to, the application of herbicides, fungicides and insecticides in order to maintain healthy landscaping.

Noxious weed control is also managed under a separate contract. Noxious weed control refers to the control of state listed noxious weeds in range land areas of the Academy. The Academy treats eighteen of the States listed noxious weeds. Weeds identified on the Academy include myrtle spurge, spotted knapweed, Russian knapweed, leafy spurge, musk thistle, yellow toadflax, Canada thistle, scotch thistle, bull thistle, hoary cress, St. Johnswort, Fuller’s teasel, bindweed, Russian olive, and diffuse knapweed. For a complete list of noxious weeds, please refer to the Noxious Weed Inventory (page 56 of PMP). The contractor mixes chemicals off base. The Academy has introduced biological control utilizing insects to control specific noxious weeds in various locations throughout the unimproved areas of the Academy grounds. Locations of these biological control areas shall be reviewed with the Natural Resources Office prior to beginning chemical treatment. Natural Resources conduct periodic surveys to locate and specify treatment before noxious weeds become established. Reports on the locations of noxious weeds can be made to Natural Resources at (719) 333-3308. Noxious weed management at the Academy, the Auxiliary Airfield (Bullseye), and Farish Recreation Area follow the guidance and objectives of the Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) and the 2015 Integrated Noxious Weed Management Plan.

Public Health Public Health monitors pest populations and recommends safe methods for their control or eradication. Frequent inspections are made of all food storage and serving facilities to identify pest problem areas with recommendations made for pest proofing these facilities. Seasonal monitoring of insect and rodent populations will be conducted by Public Health as needed. For example, the Academy relies on the use of personal protection, larvicides, education and engineering controls to reduce the risk of exposure to the mosquito born West Nile Virus. The Academy has found that education and engineering controls are essential in reducing breeding sites in areas where human mosquito encounters are most common. Engineering controls include, but are not limited to, proper irrigation, ensuring that gutters drain properly and ensuring that containers or impoundments capable of holding water are drained or eliminated. Questions regarding the Academy’s policy on West Nile Virus can be answered by the Public Health Flight at (719) 333-5186.

Golf Course Maintenance Eisenhower Golf Course (EGC), located on the Academy, is a nonappropriated fund (NAF) operation and is therefore responsible for the majority of the pest control required for the golf course. Golf course personnel are responsible for the storage and mixing of all pesticides. The golf course works closely with Environmental and Natural Resources when venomous snakes and large vertebrates become a problem. Questions regarding the activities of the golf course can be directed to EGC at (719) 333-4419.

Contract Applicator Responsibilities

Contractors applying pesticides on the Academy are required to comply with the provisions of this PMP while following IPM philosophies to meet the Department of Defense (DOD) Measure of Merit (MOM). All pesticides must be from the Armed Forces Pest Management Board

(AFPMB) Approved List of Pesticides. Exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis with full justification and will have to be approved by 10 CES/CEIEC. Contractors are required to follow the manufacturer specifications, industry standards, and recommended industry practices related to the applications of pesticides and maintain a current inventory of products being used. This includes requirement that are stated in the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and the label. Contractors are also required to process all chemicals through the on the online hazardous waste tracking system (EESOH- MIS).

Contract pesticide applicators must be certified by the State of Colorado commensurate with required application. Proof of certifications must be provided to the Pest Management Coordinator (10 CES/CEIEC, 333-8367) for permanent filing.

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1.0 Introduction

1.1 Description of the Academy

The Academy is located just north of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Its eastern border extends to the east side of Interstate Highway 25 and Pike National Forest on the west.

The Academy has two geographically separate areas located to the west and southeast of the main base. These areas consist of Farish Memorial Recreation Area (Farish) and USAFA Auxiliary Airfield (Bullseye). There are eight lakes and four nonpotable reservoirs located on the Academy. In addition, Monument Creek traverses the Academy from north to south and several smaller tributaries flow into it from the east and west.

Elevations on the Academy reach close to 7,600 feet and Farish peaks at 9,200 feet, the highest elevation of Academy lands. Wildlife includes elk, deer, bear, mountain lion, wild turkey, small mammals and a wide variety of neo-tropical migratory birds including several birds of prey.

On the Academy property there are 312 buildings totaling 6,587,711 square feet (ft2). The Academy land area consists of 18,500 acres with an additional 652 acres occupied by Farish. Farish has sixteen buildings with 20,567 ft2 of building space. Bullseye has one building that has 1,651 ft2 of building space and 197 acres of land. The Academy airstrip has 360,779 square yards (yds2) of airfield pavement and 94 miles of paved roads. The Academy also leases approximately 34,820 acres from the US Forest Service (Saylor Park).

1.2 Objectives of the Pest Management Program

The objective of the USAFA Pest Management Program is to prevent pest and disease vectors from adversely affecting operations at the Academy by establishing and maintaining a safe, effective, and environmentally sound IPM program. An IPM program includes such methods as:

Education Inspection (surveys) Sanitation and proper waste management Proper storage of food and other pest-susceptible items Exclusion, trapping and other mechanical or physical means of containing pests Pest-preventive building construction and maintenance Biological control Minimal use of pesticides; and use in a manner that causes the least harm to the environment

The Academy’s IPM approach emphasizes preventative measures as the primary source of control with the use of least toxic chemical applications as a tool to manage and control pest species.

1.3 Background and Regulatory Requirements

Pest management activities are subject to federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

In addition, DOD and Air Force (AF) technical information manuals, guidance documents, policies, and instructions apply to Academy pest management programs. The following directives regulate pest management activities

REGULATION ID TITLE

FEDERAL

29 CFR Parts 1910 and 1925 Occupational Health and Safety

40 CFR Parts 150 - 189 Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)

50 CFR Parts 13 and 21.7 Federal Fish and Wildlife Service Regulation

Public Law 93-629 Federal Noxious Weed Act Public Law 105-32 Migratory Bird Treaty Act US Department of Agriculture USDA Food Code 2005

STATE

Colorado Code of Regulations Title 33 Wildlife, Parks and Recreation Title 35, Article 5.5 Noxious Weed Control Act Title 35, Article 10 Pest Applicators Act

DEPT OF DEFENSE

AFPMB Technical Information Memorandum

(TIM) 39

Guidelines For Preparing DOD Pest Control Contracts Using Integrated Pest Management

Armed Forces Pest Management Board Approved List of Pesticides DOD Instruction 4150.7 DOD Pest Management Program MIL-HDBK-1028/8A Design of Pest Management Facilities Air Force Instruction 32-1053 Pest Management Program

Air Force Pamphlet 91-212 Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard (BASH) Management Techniques

USAF Academy Instruction 32-7001 Natural Resources On The Air Force Academy

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3.0 Integrated Pest Management

3.1 Integrated Pest Management (IPM) at the Academy

The Academy is committed to integrated pest management as a comprehensive strategy that can best address pest control and pollution prevention objectives. A key aspect of the Academy’s IPM program is the DOD Measure of Merit. The Academy has investigated and implemented a variety of biological and non-chemical treatment options to control pest problems, including the use of grass carp to treat aquatic weeds in reservoirs, bat houses around lakes and reservoirs to entice local bat populations that will consume large quantities of mosquitoes and insects, the use of “bug vacuums”, the use of predatory fish to control fathead minnows in non-potable reservoirs, the use of engineering controls to drain or fill non-essential impoundments to reduce eliminate potential mosquito breeding sites and preventative inspections in place of scheduled chemical sprayings. The Academy is also a major partner in a multi-agency, long-term biological control project for noxious weeds and is always looking for environmentally safe methods for pest management.

3.2 DOD MOM

The DOD MOM for Pest Control is outlined in DOD Instruction 4157.7, dated April 22, 1996. In accordance with the DODI, the Academy:

Maintains an installation PMP outlining the Academy’s IPM strategy Tracks pesticide usage to establish compliance with the 50% MOM reduction goal (based on the 1993 baseline of 3,962 pounds of active ingredients) Evaluates alternative treatment methods and less toxic chemicals to meet the

DOD MOM

Ensures government personnel involved in the application of pesticides are DOD certified and contract pesticide applicators are licensed under the Colorado State Applicators Certification program

On 1 July 2004, a new Pest Management MOM was issued by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense. Based on the new MOM, the Academy’s target is to maintain at least a 50% reduction in active ingredient usage from the 1993 baseline. As part of our commitment to the IPM philosophy, the Academy has been tracking active ingredient usage since FY06. The Academy has consistently met or exceeded these reduction goals.

For FY12, USAFA used 1674 pounds of herbicide which is below the 50% MOM goal.

3.3 Biological Weed Control Project

Under a cooperative research project between Texas A&M University and Natural Resources, the Academy is using insects to control noxious weed populations on unimproved areas. As part of the project, a wide variety of insects have been introduced to target specific noxious weeds. Generally, the insects and their larvae feed on the above- or below-ground parts of the weed, thereby causing lower plant vigor and/or reduced seed production. The researchers are still gathering data to determine effectiveness and annual reports are maintained at Natural Resources. As of 2015, there is no longer a cooperative research project with Texas A & M, but previously released insect agents are still contributing to weed control on USAFA.

3.4 IPM Initiatives

The Pest Management Consultant, Pest Management Coordinator or Chief of the Environmental Flight may call a meeting periodically with representatives from all the Academy’s pesticide applicators, Contractor’s Officer Representative (COR), Natural Resources, and the Installation HAZMAT Management Process Team to discuss usage and to set goals for future reduction in active ingredient. Strategies and initiatives for pesticide reduction will also be discussed. Meeting minutes are recorded and distributed to interested parties. A folder of meeting minutes will be maintained at 10 CES/CEIEC.

4.0 Pest Management Strategies

4.1 Introduction

The Academy employs integrated pest management strategies and approaches as the method of choice for all pest management activities. In practice, IPM refers to a prevention-based approach using the least toxic control measures with chemical means used as a last resort. The following is a description of the specific strategies used for the principal pest problems at the Academy.

4.1.1 Disease Vectors and Other Health-Related Pests

1. Rock Squirrels – These rodents are a host for the plague bacteria and the fleas that carry the bacteria

a. Season and Location – Throughout the base during the spring, summer and fall.

b. Monitoring – Public Health conducts an annual survey each spring. Swabbing burrows for fleas to identify and detect the presence of plague was completed in 2010 with 200- 300 samples taken. Throughout the year, the Pest Management Contractor actively surveys the base from their vehicles. On-base personnel are asked to report sightings to CE Production Control.

c. Control Strategy – live trapping and poisoning.

2. Black Widow Spiders – a venomous spider

a. Season and Location – Base wide, the spider is present year round. In family housing, problem areas are window wells, garages and basements. Elsewhere, the spider can be found in any infrequently used structure or space.

b. Monitoring – None.

c. Control Strategy – Eliminate harborage. On occasion, the Pest Management Contractor applies residuals and space spray where there are large infestations.

3. Wasps and Bees

a. Season and Location – Base wide during the spring, summer and fall. The base has problems with several wasps and bees that nest in or near buildings. Most of the requests for control come from family housing occupants.

b. Monitoring – None, the Pest Management Contractor responds to complaints.

c. Control Strategy – The nests are dusted with a pesticide or treated with an aerosol.

4. Rattlesnakes

a. Season and Location – Base wide during spring, summer and fall. Rattlesnakes are a problem when they are encountered around inhabited areas.

b. Monitoring – None, the Pest Management Contractor responds to complaints.

c. Control Strategy – The Pest Management Contractor encourages building managers to reduce harborage near buildings. The Contractor also attempts to limit rodent populations near buildings. The Contractor captures and relocates any problem snakes.

5. Deer Mice

a. Season and Location – Base wide Deer Mice are present indoors and outdoors year around and can be found in some of our food handling facilities (Mitchell Hall, Falcon Club, Airmen’s Dining Hall, High Country Inn, Basic Cadet Training Kitchen). Occasionally mice have been a problem in housing or other buildings on base.

b. Monitoring – None. The Pest Management Contractor responds to complaints.

c. Control Strategy -

Prevention – Keep areas clean and free of debris and food scraps, use tight fitting lids on garbage and food storage containers, seal cracks and windows of problem buildings.

Control – Trapping and poisoning.

6. Mosquitoes

a. Season and Location Base side during the spring, summer and fall. Mosquitoes, particularly Culex tarsalis, have been identified as carriers of West Nile Virus. The first reported case on the Academy was documented in October of 2002. Since then, the Academy has been working with both the El Paso County Department of Public Health and the Colorado Springs Utilities to locate and inspect potential breeding sites. In keeping with the Academy’s integrated pest management plan, the Academy has stressed education as the principal method of treatment. Information pamphlets have been handed out to Military Family Housing residents, USAFA Cadet Wing, and guests of Farish Recreation Area. Request for treatments should be made to the Customer Service office at 333-2790.

b. Monitoring – Public Health maintains maps of potential breeding sites. When Public

Health is notified of a mosquito problem they will go out and trap and send specimens to Wright Patterson AFB for testing and species identification and also notify CE pest management. Trapping was initiated in the summer of 2010. The Pest Management Contractor responds to complaints and use appropriate action to include chemicals as the last resort.

c. Control Strategy – Dip counts are used to determine if treatments are required.

Treatments are initiated when dips capture ten or more larvae or pupae combined.

Infested areas are treated with larvicide. In addition, the Academy has installed nine bat houses in various remote locations in proximity to our lakes and reservoirs to entice local bat populations which consume large quantities of mosquitoes and other insects.

4.1.2 General Household Pests

1. Miller Moths

a. Season and Location – Only a springtime pest. These moths enter the buildings throughout the base as they migrate west towards the mountains.

b. Monitoring – During the migration, the shop checks the control towers at Bullseye training airfield.

c. Control Strategy

Prevention – Seal cracks and windows of problem buildings.

Control – Where possible, remove the moths with a vacuum cleaner. In larger buildings, Space Spray (with pyrethrum) by Pyranha ™ is used. Space Spray is the name of the product that is distributed by the company Pyranha™.

2. Cockroaches

a. Season and Location – Roaches are present indoors year around and have been found in some of our food handling facilities (Mitchell Hall, Falcon Club). Occasionally they have been a problem in housing or other buildings on base.

b. Monitoring – None. The Pest Management Contractor responds to complaints.

c. Control Strategy

Prevention – The shop first investigates the cause, searching for sanitation break down or importation. For sanitation problems, the shop educates client on the importance of limiting the roach's food supply.

Elimination of harborage – Limit harborage by sealing cracks and crevices.

Baits – The first line of control is bait stations.

Residual pesticides – In urgent situations or those that do not respond to baiting, the shop treats harborage sites with a residual pesticide.

4.1.3 Weed Control

1. Noxious Weeds

The Academy treats eighteen of the State of Colorado’s listed noxious weeds. Weeds identified on the Academy include spotted knapweed, Russian knapweed, St. Johnswort, Fuller’s teasel, field bindweed, leafy spurge, musk thistle, yellow toadflax, Canada thistle, scotch thistle, bull thistle, hoary cress, Russian olive, and diffuse knapweed.

a. Season and Location – Found throughout the Academy during the spring, summer and fall seasons. All noxious weeds go dormant during the winter months or when temperatures begin to drop below freezing.

b. Monitoring – Constant surveillance and scheduled weed surveys is the main weed monitoring technique used on the Academy to identify areas to be treated/controlled. A formal monitoring protocol has been developed through the Integrated Noxious Weed Management Plan (Attachment C).

c. Control strategy – The Academy uses mowing, herbicides, hand-pulling, cutting, biological control, and preventative techniques to control noxious weeds. From a natural resources rangeland management standpoint, noxious weeds are one of the Academy's principal concerns. The Academy has created a separate, Integrated Noxious Weed Management Plan (Attachment C) incorporating GIS mapping of weed locations. The local regulatory agency for noxious weeds is El Paso County under the Colorado Weed Law. Most of the Academy’s noxious weed control is conducted by contracted pest management services (grounds maintenance and natural resource hired contractors)

2. Turf Weeds

a. Season and Location – Turf weeds are nuisance weeds that are “plants out of place.”

Mainly they are unsightly and for the most part unavoidable. As long as large areas of the Academy are considered improved turf and are maintained to stay that way, it will be necessary to control these turf weeds. Examples are dandelions, thistles, knapweed, clover and Oxeye Daisy.

b. Monitoring – Casual monitoring and scheduled weed surveys are the main techniques used to monitor weeds.

c. Control Strategy – Mowing is the primary defense the Academy uses against these weeds. In addition, fertilization and irrigation techniques are used to aid in establishing healthy turf. Healthy turf prevents many types of weed infestations from occurring. The Academy uses herbicides as a last resort, that is, only when all other avenues of control have been tried and failed.

3. Right-of-Way Weeds

a. Season and Location – Right-of-way weeds are unsightly and are known commonly as crack weeds. They are found throughout the Academy in nearly all paved surfaces including airfield pavements.

b. Monitoring – During the weed’s active growing season, the Civil Engineer Contract

Management uses casual monitoring and bimonthly weed surveys to monitor right-of-way weeds.

c. Control Strategy – Preventative techniques include sealing the cracks in pavements.

Civil Engineer Contract Management, through a service contract performs this task seasonally as needed. This is the Academy’s preferred method of control. It is more cost effective in the long run and is an environmentally sound method of control.

4. Aquatic Weeds

The Natural Resources Office is the technical referral for aquatic weed management for the Academy's stocked lakes (i.e., all lakes on the base and Farish except non-potable reservoirs #1 and #2 and the golf course ponds). The Pest Management Contractor determines treatment for all non-potable reservoirs.

a. Season and Location – These weeds are found in three main areas of the base: non-potable reservoirs, athletic fields and the Golf Course. These weeds are unsightly and can clog irrigation pumps, water lines and drainage ditches. They grow throughout the spring, summer and fall.

b. Monitoring – During the spring and summer months, the above-mentioned offices uses casual monitoring to monitor aquatic weeds.

c. Control Strategy – The Academy prevents aquatic weeds by using biological controls such as Grass Carp (Triploid white amur) and the applications of bacteria, which consume nutrients that would otherwise stimulate weed and algae growth. In some cases, herbicides are required to control algae that infest open water. Academy is using grass carp to control aquatic weeds in non-potable reservoirs #2 and 3, and the recreational fishing lakes. Pesticides are applied only after non-chemical alternatives have been tried or have been deemed in effective.

4.1.4 Golf Course Pests

The Golf Course Maintenance Shop maintains the turf and grounds of the Golf Course. The Pest Management Shop assists with vertebrate and venomous pests. Pesticides are stored and mixed at the Pest Management Shop (Bldg 9031).

The EGC follows IPM procedures. Their principal pests include:

1. Broad leaf weeds in turf (i.e. dandelions) –See section 4.1.3 (weed control) for season, location, monitoring and control strategy.

2. Aquatic weeds (Various species aquatic weeds and filamentous algae as identified) - See section 4.1.3 (weed control) for season, location, monitoring and control strategy.

3. Fungal diseases of turf (Snowmold, Anthracnose) – Fungal diseases

a. Season and Location – Fungal diseases can spread by air and water borne spores under favorable environmental conditions (appropriate temperature, moisture, nutrients, etc.)

throughout the golf course.

b. Monitoring – The golf course maintenance shop will monitor for occurrences when performing routine maintenance.

c. Control Strategy – Fungal diseases are controlled by using appropriate turf management that includes using sufficient water, nutrients, aeration, and fertilization. Herbicides will be used as a last resort to control fungal outbreaks.

4. Insect pests of turf (Sod web worm, Fairy Ring, Black Turfgrass Ataenius (BTA))

a. Season and Location – Insect pests of turf occur throughout the year under favorable environmental conditions (appropriate temperature, moisture, nutrients, etc.)

b. Monitoring – The golf course maintenance shop will monitor for occurrences when performing routine maintenance.

c. Control Strategy – Insects will be controlled by appropriate turf management and insecticides will only be used as last resort.

4.1.5 Vertebrate Pests

1. Bears

a. Season and Location – Bears have been spotted on the Academy in the summer, spring, and fall.

b. Monitoring – No formal monitoring is initiated for bears other than reports to Security

Forces and Natural Resources for nuisance bears.

c. Control Strategy – Bears visit the base’s garbage cans throughout the Academy. To prevent problems, the Academy has installed bear-proof cans at frequently visited sites.

The Academy does not trap and remove bears. Only the Colorado Parks and Wildlife can remove bears, and does so only if they threaten human life.

2. Coyotes

a. Season and Location – Coyotes are found throughout the Academy at all times of the year and occasionally feed on pets.

b. Monitoring – No formal monitoring is initiated for coyotes other than reports to Security

Forces and Natural Resources.

c. Control Strategy – The Academy encourages pet owners to take responsibility for their pets to discourage coyote/human interactions.

3. Foxes

a. Season and Location – Foxes are found throughout the Academy at all times of the year.

b. Monitoring – No formal monitoring is initiated for foxes other than reports to Security

Forces and Natural Resources.

c. Control Strategy – The Natural Resource Office discourages the feeding of wild animals by residents in the base housing. There are no current control strategies for foxes other than the use of wildlife proof trash cans and using good housekeeping practices.

4. Mice

a. Season and Location - Deer mice and house mice are found throughout the base and enter buildings in the fall and winter.

b. Monitoring - The Pest Management Contractor works with facility managers to evaluate and control mice infestations in all other buildings.

c. Control Strategy - The Academy encourages exclusion, sanitation, baiting and trapping as the primary control measures.

5. Pocket Gophers

a. Season and Location - Pocket gophers are found throughout the base in open fields year round.

b. Monitoring – Monitoring is done as part of normal maintenance.

c. Control Strategy - The Pest Management Contractor controls them only when they damage improved turf areas. To control the gophers the shop uses traps and baits.

6. Raccoons

a. Season and Location – Raccoons occur throughout the Academy year round.

b. Monitoring – No monitoring is done for raccoons on the Academy.

c. Control Strategy - Raccoons raid garbage cans and pet food bowls and scavenge around the buildings. The Pest Management Contractor will relocate nuisance raccoons.

7. Skunks

a. Season and Location – Skunks occur throughout the Academy year round and burrow under houses and occasionally spray pets.

b. Monitoring – No monitoring is done for skunks on the Academy.

c. Control Strategy - All skunks captured at the Academy are euthanized as required by

State of Colorado Health Department due to widespread rabies.

8. Tree Squirrels

a. Season and Location – Squirrels occur throughout the Academy year round and enter houses and some become overly tame and aggressive.

b. Monitoring – No monitoring is done for squirrels.

c. Control Strategy – The Pest Management Contractor relocates nuisance squirrels.

9. Mountain Lions

a. Season and Location – Mountain lions are active year round and can occasionally be seen on the Academy and can be dangerous.

b. Monitoring – Lion sightings will be reported to Security Forces and Natural Resources immediately.

c. Control Strategy – The Academy encourages pet owners to take responsibility for their pets to discourage mountain lion interactions.

10. Bats

a. Season and Location – Bats are most active during the summer months and can be found in buildings throughout the Academy and can carry rabies.

b. Monitoring – No monitoring is done for bat populations.

c. Control Strategy – The best long term control strategy is exclusion which includes blocking access to potential roosting areas (i.e. buildings, sheds).

11. Prairie Dogs

a. Season and Location – Prairie Dogs are active year round and can be found in isolated patches on the Academy. They can carry fleas that could potentially harbor plague.

b. Monitoring – No monitoring is done for Prairie Dogs.

c. Control Strategy – Prairie Dogs are removed when they inhabit populated areas.

Fumitoxin is used as a control but will not be used in areas that there could be exposure to humans.

4.1.6 Miscellaneous Pests

1. Western Conifer Seed Bug

a. Season and Location – Each fall, adult conifer seed bugs enter the buildings on base.

These insects are searching for over-wintering sites.

b. Monitoring – No monitoring is done on the Western Conifer Seed Bug

c. Control Strategy – The Academy encourages sealing cracks and screening windows to prevent the bugs from entering buildings.

2. Cluster Flies

a. Season and Location – Throughout the base, these flies enter the buildings in the fall to over winter.

b. Monitoring – No monitoring is done on Cluster Flies.

c. Control Strategy – The Academy encourages sealing of cracks to prevent the flies from entering. At the hospital, the shop uses trap space sprays some areas to prevent the flies from infesting the kitchens. In other buildings, the Academy asks Building Managers to remove the flies with a vacuum.

3. Clover Mites

a. Season and Location – During warm days in fall and spring, the mites enter houses through cracks and crevices. These tiny mites are common on base, and often are nuisance pests in base housing.

b. Monitoring – No monitoring is done for Clover Mites.

c. Control Strategy – The Academy encourages residents to prevent mites from entering the houses by removing grass from the edge of the house and sealing cracks and crevices. They suggest vacuum cleaners to control indoor infestations. The shop can treat infestations through the application of pesticides (Tempo, Conquer or Delta gard G) to the exterior perimeter of the structure.

4. Forest Pests

a. Season and Location – Forest pests are most active during the spring, summer, and fall, and occur throughout the Academy. Common pests include mountain pine beetle, pine saw fly, pine engraver beetle, pine tip moth and various defoliators. Recent outbreaks of Douglas fir tussock moth and western spruce budworm in nearby portions of the Front Range have raised concerns about potential infestation and tree mortality on the Academy and at Farish Recreation Area. These defoliators affect primarily Douglas fir and true fir, but can also impact ponderosa pine at high population levels.

b. Monitoring – Natural Resources monitors forest pests on the Academy and coordinates closely with the U.S. Forest Service to assess populations and management strategies.

Pheremone traps are utilized to detect insects such as gypsy moth, pine tip moth, spruce budworm and Douglas fir tussock moth.

c. Control Strategy – Preventive measures are the first line of defense. The base forester uses standard forest management techniques to maintain the health of the trees and thereby limit infestations. Occasionally there is a need for chemical treatment to prevent a potential insect attack on high-risk or high-profile trees. Approximately 200- 300 pines are treated annually to minimize the risk of attack by the Ips pine engraver beetle. These are predominantly recently transplanted pines that are under severe environmental stress from root loss. Some larger pines in proximity to green wood or chips are also treated, as green wood is highly attractive to Ips beetles. Best management practices that include spraying at least 700ft away from surface waters, spraying when wind speeds are less than 5mph, and utilizing a compound that increases the adherence of insecticide to trees are used to minimize drift and discharges to water.

Aerial application of insecticides to combat Douglas fir tussock moth and/or spruce budworm may be considered in the near future, in response to threatening populations and extensive mortality in nearby areas.

4.1.7 Pests in Child Care, Medical and Food Service Facilities

1. The Academy uses pesticides in or around childcare facilities only as a last resort treatment.

Before using any pesticides in childcare facilities, the Pest Management Contractor must obtain permission from the Pest Management Coordinator who will consult with the Bioenvironmental Engineering and Public Health offices. Mice infestations are the most frequent problem in childcare facilities. Mechanical traps and Contrac Bait Bloxs have been approved by the Public Health Office and are used to control the mice. Mouse traps will be disposed of by facility staff.

2. There are few insect problems in food service facilities, but there are recurring problems with mice. Mechanical traps and rodenticides are used to control the mice. Traps are checked on a Service Call basis.

a. Food Handling Facilities – Pest Management Contractor monitors all rodent activity on a monthly basis. Occasionally there are problems with mice in the food storage rooms.

b. Other Facilities – The Pest Control Contractor responds to rodent issues on a Service Call basis.

4.1.8 Air Force Self-Help Pest Management Program

Academy Housing has been privatized and pest management is the responsibility of Forest City Residential Management (FCRM). FCRM will provide pest control treatment on a regular scheduled basis (i.e. service repairs, preventative maintenance checks) and upon request from residents in the case of infestations that cause health hazards or destruction of resident’s property. Orkin is the primary pest contractor and has a standing appointment every Wednesday to meet with residents and check vacant homes during change of occupancy. Residents who have infestations of pests can call in a service ticket to Forest City Service Call Desk (719-867-9675) and they will coordinate appointment with pest contractor. In rare instances, a Facility Manager may be allowed to store and apply pesticides. Approval will require coordination with both the Pest Management Coordinator and the Installation HAZMAT Management Process (IHMP) Team.

5.0 Program Management

5.1 Facilities

USAFA does not maintain an on-site Pest Management Shop. Pest Management Services are provided via an on call contractor. Requests for pest management services are made via the CE Customer Support Section (719-333-2790). Residents of privatized housing can call Forest City Service Call Desk (719-867-9675) and they will coordinate an appointment with a pest contractor.

5.2 Resources

Funding for integrated pest management activities is programmed and funded through the Academy’s base civil engineer (10 CES). The majority of pest management activities are contracted through the base maintenance services contract with CHAS. This includes services performed through any subcontractors. Pest management activities supporting the golf course are funded entirely from non-appropriated funds.

5.3 Training and Certifications

In accordance with State of Colorado and DOD requirements, all pesticide applicators are required to be licensed by the State Department of Agriculture. Training and certification requirements are included in all contract specifications (performance work statements). Copies of commercial applicators’ endorsement documents and CORs Pesticide certification data are maintained with respective entity.

5.4 Record Keeping and Reporting

The pest management contractor, golf course, and other contractors involved in pesticide application maintain records of all pesticide applications using DOD form 1532, 1532-1 or an equivalent. In addition, all pesticides are approved and tracked through the Academy’s Installation HAZMAT Management Process (IHMP) Team in the Enterprise Environmental, Safety, and Occupational Health Management Information System (EESOH-MIS). All pesticides approved by the Armed Forces Pest Management Board (AFPMB) are approved by HQ USAFA/10 CES/CEIEC (Pest Management Coordinator) for use on the Academy. All applicators are encouraged to choose appropriate chemicals from the list published by the AFPMB. The most recent list can be downloaded, along with the corresponding MSDSs and product labels from their web site at: (http://www.afpmb.org). Any pesticide that has not been approved by the Armed Forces Pest Management Board must be coordinated through the Base Pest Management Coordinator and approved by the Base Pest Management Consultant. The user must submit a staff summary sheet identifying the pesticide and a brief justification for the use of a non-approved pesticide. In addition, the user must submit a sample label, a current MSDS and proof that the pesticide is approved for use in the State of Colorado (this can be obtained for the Colorado Department of Agriculture’s web site). In accordance with (IAW) AFI 32-1053 (Paragraph 3.4.12) all applicators must provide a monthly summary of pesticide applications, provide hard copies of pesticide inventories and associated MSDSs records to Bioenvironmental

Engineering. An annual summary report of pesticide usage is submitted to the Pest Management Consultant, and to the Air Force Civil Engineer Center (AFCEC) East (formerly Air Force Civil Engineering Support Agency).

5.5 Cooperating Agencies

Natural Resources Office

The Natural Resource Office on the Academy is part of the 10th Civil Engineer Squadron. They manage all vertebrate pests larger than raccoons and coordinate with State and Federal wildlife agencies in matters that concern special consideration species regulated at either the State or Federal level. In addition, they monitor forest pests, noxious weeds and aquatic weeds in the base’s reservoirs. The Natural Resource staff members are not certified applicators and will not be responsible for the application of chemical pesticides.

El Paso County

The County does not maintain an office to monitor pesticide usage. The county does maintain the Santa Fe Trail.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)/Forest Service

USDA works closely with the base Natural Resources Office and coordinates forest and wildlife management projects, including prescribed burns and forest management studies of endangered species. It is important for pest management activities to communicate regularly with the

USDA.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW)

CPW regulates wildlife in the State of Colorado including all federal lands that fall within their jurisdiction. They work closely with the Natural Resources Office and monitor deer, elk, and the turkey found on the Academy. CPW removes wildlife deemed dangerous to humans and monitors nuisance wildlife such as mountain lions and bears.

National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)

The NRCS is a cooperating agency which deals primarily with soil science and range management.

6.0 Health and Safety

6.1 Introduction

Health and safety concerns associated with pest management operations and activities include pesticide exposure, noise levels, respiratory protection, and fire safety.