Invasive Treatment Plan_Contractor Copy_2.20.25.pdf

DIRECTOR EMERITUS:

Mike Altizer

ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS:

Gary Breeding Bill Worrell

DIRECTORS:

Zac Ketron, Chairman Kelly Gilmer, Vice-Chairman Jason Bush, Treasurer Scott Jessee, VT Coop Extension Andy Smith, Director

Clinch Valley Soil and Water Conservation District

131 Highland Drive, Suite B Lebanon, VA 24266

Phone: (276) 883-5987 www.cvswcd.org

Invasive Treatment Plan for Hillside Project:

Clinch Valley Soil and Water Conservation District was awarded the Urban & Community Forestry Grant in December 2023. This grant provides funding that will be used to remove invasive plant species located on the town-owned property behind the Russell County Government Center. It will also provide funding for native tree, forbs, pollinator habitat establishment. This process is considered to be Phase I of a multi-phase project that will hopefully result in a community-centered urban forest trail for the Town of Lebanon.

Clinch Valley SWCD Invasive Treatment Plan for Hillside Project Page 2 of 4

Goals:

• To remove invasive plant species, including but not limited to, Bradford Pear Trees, Autumn Olive, Cedar, & Tree of Heaven.

• To conduct a “cut stump treatment” to all remaining stumps remaining in the ground to reduce the chances of regrowth.

o Certified Herbicide/Pesticide Licensing Preferred.

• To limit soil disturbance while conducting removal and treatment actions.

Timeline:

• In order to maximize the effectiveness of plant removal and treatments, work should be conducted between March 24th, 2025 – May 30th, 2025

• This timeframe should allow adequate time for the vegetation to be removed and treated as sap-flow begins to move back into the stump and root system for winter.

• If this timeline cannot be achieved, please notify Clinch Valley SWCD as soon as possible.

Important Notes:

• See the attached Treatment Plan Map for reference.

• The property is broken up into sections – Ideally, the work should be conducted one section at a time (dependent on amount of time and staff available).

• Once a tree or shrub is removed, the stump must immediately be treated with herbicide.

• If possible, all woody vegetation removed should be chipped and disposed of off-site. If contractor has a forestry mulcher attachment, that will also be considered an appropriate method of removal.

o Any debris may be transported to the Russell County “Transfer Station” on Rt.71. Drop off fees may apply, but Clinch Valley SWCD will cover those costs.

o Drop off fees may be waived since this is Town of Lebanon property, but there’s no guarantee.

• Please keep record of what days and how many hours crew members are working.

• Clinch Valley SWCD may purchase supplies or herbicides as needed.

o Ineligible expenses include the following: machinery, construction costs, food or beverages, gift cards, plant material classified as invasive, or any other expenses not approved by Clinch Valley SWCD grant managers or the Urban & Community Forestry Program Manager.

• Clinch Valley SWCD is not liable for any injuries or death. Work will be conducted on Town of Lebanon owned property and is highly encouraged that any contractor(s) who do the work have liability insurance.

Clinch Valley SWCD Invasive Treatment Plan for Hillside Project Page 3 of 4

Treatment Plan:

1. Cut trees & shrubs close to the ground, leaving 1-2 inches of stump above ground.

a. CVSWCD staff will mark vegetation for removal with flagging tape.

2. Once the woody vegetation is removed, immediately spray the stump with herbicide mixture as prescribed on the herbicide bottle label.

3. Items needed for spraying are listed below:

a. Use a Glyphosate based Herbicide with at least 40% active ingredient

b. Use a trigger spray bottle, small garden sprayer, or backpack sprayer.

c. Only mix enough herbicide for the intended use per section or area of treatment – If any herbicide is left in the sprayer, the sprayer must be labeled with the mixture type and the date.

d. Use proper PPE while mixing or spraying herbicide (i.e. Eye protection, long sleeves, chemical / water proof gloves, boots, pants, breathing apparatus, etc).

i. Avoid wearing gloves, boots, or other articles of clothing made from leather because the herbicide will easily absorb into leather materials.

ii. If the herbicide is ingested, inhaled, comes in contact with the skin or eyes, or noticeable irritation occurs, promptly seek poison control and/or medical attention

e. Additives such as diesel fuel or other oil-based solutions may be added in accordance to the herbicide bottle label.

f. Add blue food coloring solution or dye to the herbicide mixture so areas that have been treated can easily be identified.

4. Trees and shrubs that have been cut must be collected and moved off site.

a. Use a wood chipper (if available) to dispose the remaining debris.

b. If the debris cannot be chipped and moved off site whatsoever, the use of a forestry mulcher would be an acceptable method of removal.

c. Absolutely no burning of brush since this project is within Town of Lebanon limits.

5. Once trees and shrubs are removed from the property, evaluate the soil conditions.

a. If any areas of soil have been heavily disturbed, please grade and re-seed those areas to prevent further erosion.

Figure 1 - https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/forestry/cut-stump-herbicide-treatments-for-invasive-plant-control/

Clinch Valley SWCD Invasive Treatment Plan for Hillside Project Page 4 of 4

6. Submit receipts for any supplies or materials purchased for treatment

a. Check with CVSWCD before purchase to ensure eligibility for reimbursement.

b. Submit receipts as often as needed.

Contact List:

Siobhan Nishida District Manager siobhan.nishida@clinchvalleyswcd.org

(276) 883-5987

Jeff Mutter Conservation Specialist jeff.mutter@clinchvalleyswcd.org

(276) 206-6534

Brandon Blevins Conservation Specialist brandon.blevins@clinchvalleyswcd.org

(276) 883-5989

• In the chart above is CVSWCD Staff contact information.

• Siobhan and Jeff are the grant managers for the Urban & Community Forestry

Grant. Please contact either of them for questions regarding land clearing, supplies or materials, or grant specifics.

• Our office is located directly next to the proposed treatment area – if needed, stop by the office.

o Any supplies or materials purchased by CVSWCD will likely be kept in locked storage at the office. If those supplies or materials are needed for work, please contact us ahead of time so we can ensure those items are available for use.

mailto:siobhan.nishida@clinchvalleyswcd.org mailto:jeff.mutter@clinchvalleyswcd.org mailto:Brandon.blevins@clinchvalleyswcd.org

Treatment Section Map Sectioned Areas for Invasive Treatment Plan

Legend

Treatment Sections

500 ft

N

N

Jeff Mutter Callout Native Stand of Trees - DO NOT CUT

Jeff Mutter Callout Section 4 Bradford Pears

Jeff Mutter Callout Section 3: Clear Cedars and other woody vegetation around dam structure

Jeff Mutter Callout Sections 1 &2 - Heavy Density of Bradford Pears and Autumn Olive

Polygonal Line

Section 1

Jeff Mutter Callout Section 2

Jeff Mutter Callout Section 3

Jeff Mutter Callout Section 4

Jeff Mutter Callout All woody vegetation (Native and Invasive) needs to be removed from dam structure (upstream and downstream by at least 50ft).

Jeff Mutter Line

Jeff Mutter Line

Jeff Mutter

50ft Clearance on both sides of dam structure

Storm Water Drainage in Section 2

Jeff Mutter Line

Line