Invasive Treatment Plan_Contractor Copy_2.21.25.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 trees, forbs, pollinator habitat establishment. This process is 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, and one small stand of Tree of Heaven. Both mechanical and chemical methods of removal are acceptable.

o Acceptable methods of vegetation removal include:

Tree cut with stump removal/grinding Forestry Mulcher to mulch both the tree and stump.

“Cut Stump Treatment” – Removing the tree & treating the stumps that remain in the ground with herbicide.

• Certified Herbicide/Pesticide Licensing from the State of

Virginia is required for this method.

• Proof of Pesticide/Herbicide Licensing must be submitted with bid.

o Clinch Valley SWCD is open to bids that plan use either mechanical, chemical, or both methods of removal.

In instances where contractors do not process a Pesticide/Herbicide

License from the State of Virginia, they may still submit a bid if they can effectively complete the work by mechanical removal only.

Subcontracting herbicide applications to certified applicators may be allowed, but the intent to do so must be noted in the bid sheet.

Timeline:

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

Important Notes:

• See the attached Treatment Plan Map and pictures for reference.

• If contractor elects to use the “cut stump treatment” method, the stump must immediately be treated with herbicide (See pages 3-4 for more information).

• It is preferred that any woody vegetation removed should be chipped and disposed of off-site. If contractor has a forestry mulcher attachment and can mulch trees/stumps on site, 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 through the Town of Lebanon, but it is not guaranteed.

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

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

• Clinch Valley SWCD may purchase supplies 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.

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.

o CVSWCD does not have an approved herbicide storage facility and thus will not be purchasing or storing herbicides.

• 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.

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

• Siobhan and Jeff are the grant managers for the Urban & Community Forestry Grant. Please contact either of them regarding land clearing, supplies or materials, or grant specifics.

“Cut Stump” 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.

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

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

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 / waterproof 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 with 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 should be collected and moved off site.

a. Use a woodchipper (if available) to dispose of 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, straw, and re-seed those areas to prevent further erosion.

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.

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

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