IPMG.pdf

kheuberg Typewriter

ATTACHMENT 1

Athletics IPM Guidelines - Page 1 of 7

SARASOTA COUNTY GOVERNMENT

Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Procedures and Guidelines

Athletics Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Guidelines.

A. Purpose: To provide guidelines for Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources (PRNR) staff involved in activities related to the management of pests and undesirable vegetation, including contractual services, to ensure all such activities within the PRNR system are compliant with their respective PRNR Division IPM plans.

B. Objective: To reduce risks to human health and the environment by minimizing the use of pesticides through application of integrated pest management practices and emphasizing proven, effective least-toxic and non-toxic approaches and products in County practices.

C. Authority / Supporting Policy: Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners Resolution No.

2005-110 confirms the continued adoption of Integrated Pest Management as the county’s standard pest management practice.

D. Procedure:

1. AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY:

Athletic fields within Sarasota County provide recreational opportunities to both citizens and visitors alike. These fields must be maintained at a high level to ensure participants safety (level and safe playing surfaces, protection from fire ants, etc.) and to also attract economic impact from visiting teams that participate in local tournaments. The level of field maintenance and economic impact from them has been recently emphasized by the Board of County Commissioners, with significant resources added to ensure their success. See Attachment A for a complete list of fields in Sarasota County and the level of priority assigned to them. This priority dictates the level of care and thresholds for maintenance and pest management purposes.

2. MAJOR PESTS:

There are over 100 fields throughout the County that need to be kept in the best condition possible as they provide opportunities for youth and adult recreation and economic impact from tournaments. Athletic fields require an elevated level of service and products to control undesirable species from destroying the turf. Attachment B identifies the major pest problems: Mole Crickets, Fire Ants, Nematodes, Sod worms, Cut Worms and Grubs. As an example, the average athletic field replacement cost for a football field’s turf is approximately $100,000.

3. IDENTIFICATION and SCOUTING:

A significant amount of time is spent observing and identifying potential problems in Athletic turf.

This is the least invasive way to quickly identify potential problem areas. The following methods are employed by staff regularly.

• Visual Inspection: Staff looks at and inspects the turf for potential problems.

• Soap Flushes: This method involves a square yard of turf to be flooded with a mild dish detergent mixed with water. The detergent irritates the insects and forces them to

ATTACHMENT 2

Athletics IPM Guidelines - Page 2 of 7 surface. Staff then identifies the species and counts the number present. If thresholds are met, appropriate treatment occurs.

• Soil Samples sent to the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS): In cases where these methods have not identified the pest problem, a small soil sample is sent to a laboratory for analysis (currently the University of Florida IFAS office).

4. MONITORING – Determine the extent of injury or problem levels (set thresholds), and use visual inspection or monitoring devices. All monitoring results are documented.

5. ANALYSIS – Based on findings in from identification, scouting and monitoring, determine best response options of; take no action, continue monitoring (collect more data) or act to address pest.

6. REVIEW CONTROL OPTIONS:

6.1. Cultural

Cultural Practices include: Proper Fertilization and Aeration, Proper Irrigation. Following all established best management practices, fertilizers are applied to feed the turf in order to maintain it at a healthy level. The native soil has sufficient amounts of phosphorus, so it has been removed from the fertilizer blend (20-0-10). Fields are aerated to relieve compaction by removing a small core from the turf, slicing the turf with knife blades or by using a solid metal tine. Fields are irrigated, mainly with reclaimed water, using the principles of transpo-evaporation. This is the loss of water to the soil, calculated using wind speed, humidity and rainfall.

6.2. Mechanical

6.2.1. Proper Mowing Frequency, Height and Patterns: Proper mowing frequency, cutting heights and mowing patterns for athletic turf helps to minimize turf stress and reduces unwanted weeds.

6.2.2. Hand Pulling: Physically removing weeds by hand.

6.2.3. Public Education on Wear patterns: Public education for groups that use athletic fields is provided regularly. This includes suggestions on how to minimize excessive wear and tear by relocating amenities or equipment they practice on to various other parts of the field.

Example: relocating portable soccer goals for practices, moving them back to location for games. This minimizes the damage to goal mouths, which is a typical spot for excessive field wear.

6.3. Biological

6.3.1. Nematodes for Mole Cricket control: Nematodes are microscopic creatures that live beneath the soil. Some are beneficial to the turf, some are benign and some are harmful.

This particular strain actually burrows into the mole crickets and lays its eggs inside it. This will eventually kill the mole cricket as the young feed on it when they hatch.

6.3.2. Wasps for Fire Ant Control: Several years ago, a strain of wasp was introduced into the community. One of their favorite prey is fire ants. These wasps target them as a food source. It has been difficult to track results from this method.

Athletics IPM Guidelines - Page 3 of 7

6.3.3. Bacillus firmus (Bacteria) for Nematodes: Experimental control of this pest using NORTICA is underway. It is a bacterium that targets harmful nematodes. This product is designed to form a barrier around the turf root that ingests the exudates of the roots. This is what the nematodes feed on. By removing the food, the nematodes leave to feed somewhere else.

6.4. Chemical

6.4.1. Granular applications: For insect control there are products that are granular based.

These include ant bait and mole cricket bait. They are applied at the specified rates via a spreader which is attached to a small club car or tractor,

6.4.2. Liquid Chemical applications: Many available products are concentrated in liquid form.

These products are mixed with water to the proper dilution levels and applied to fields via several methods. Some are sprayed from 3-gallon capacity back packs. The next larger size is a 25-gallon tank which is mounted on small utility vehicles and dispensed with a wand sprayer. The last method is a Boom Sprayer. This is a self-contained unit, with a 175-gallon capacity tank that has two boom arms that extend from the machine.

This allows the chemical to be dispensed at precise amounts over a larger area. This is typically used when treating entire fields or large sections thereof.

7. SELECT CONTROL TACTICS – Select the most environmentally sound and economically viable treatment strategies to suppress the pest problem. Least-toxic methods must be used before more toxic ones.

8. USE APPROVED PESTICIDES – Use only products that are on Sarasota County’s list of approved pesticides. (See Appendix A - Sarasota County IPM Procedural Guidelines)

9. PESTICIDE STORAGE:

9.1. Storage Guidelines

Pesticides or pesticide containers shall be kept in secure and safe locations in accordance with existing laws. They shall be kept in a secure location and, if possible, in a temperature controlled, well-ventilated area. Areas used for storage shall be labeled and designated for use by work unit supervisors. Pesticides shall be safeguarded from environmental damage such as extreme temperature, photodecomposition or moisture. All pesticides in storage shall be inspected regularly and, if necessary, rotated on the shelf to assure that the oldest dated items are used first. Central warehousing of pesticides shall take place at the Pinkney Avenue Complex behind the Mosquito Management Services area. A copy of all Specimen Labels and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) as well as a spill contingency plan, and spill clean-up/containment kit are housed at these facilities. Pesticides being transported shall be appropriately and safely secured in the vehicle. Only licensed applicators shall transport pesticides. Appropriate spill response supplies and notebook containing copies of all herbicide labels and MSDS must be immediately available. Pesticides shall not be transported in passenger cabs of vehicles where alternatives exist, such as truck beds, truck boxes or vehicle trunks.

Storage Location: Twin Lakes Park, 6700 Clark Rd. Sarasota Storage location has all Safety Data Sheets, on site Personal Protective Equipment, Eye Wash Stations and Spill Kits.

Athletics IPM Guidelines - Page 4 of 7

9.2. Spill Response:

The primary method by which this division reduces pesticide spills is through prevention.

Through planning, preparation, adherence to good work practices, and increased awareness of the potential results of a spill, the possibility of a spill occurring is minimized. Should an emergency release of a pesticide occur, personnel will respond in accordance with all governmental regulations, including those of Department of Transportation, Environmental Protection Agency, and Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, and this policy.

In performing emergency activities following a spill, protection of both employees and the public, is of great concern, as is protection of property and the environment. Anyone liable for a spill shall immediately clean up the spill or release. The cleanup must use the best available methods to achieve the lowest practicable level of contamination. OSHA, which is concerned with worker protection, has two regulations governing spills. One, Hazard Communication, applies to incidental spills that present a low potential of hazard to the worker, the public and the environment. Included are small spills of dilute pesticides, spills of material with granular formulations, and lower toxicity materials. The other regulation, Emergency Response, applies to incidents with a high degree of hazard such as large spills of dilute material, pesticides with higher toxicity, and concentrates in a confined space.

An incidental spill becomes an Emergency Response when:

1. The release or spill significantly impacts another agency's functions;

2. The incidental spill precipitates evacuation or curtailing of work;

3. The event causes a negative impact on neighboring facilities or the community;

4. The spill involves a coordinated effort by local first responders.

Only licensed pesticide applicators can transport or apply pesticides. They will receive training and equipment that will allow them to respond to incidental spills. Spills that require an Emergency Response will be handled by a local jurisdictional HAZMAT team. If a serious emergency occurs and the local fire department has been called in, or if there has been a spill that extends outside Parks facilities or could reach surface water, the National Response Center must be called. If it exceeds the amount listed in the Code of Federal Regulations List of Hazardous Substances and Reportable Quantities, the spill must be reported to the National Response Center.

The spill need not be reported immediately if it occurs on a surface impervious to the hazardous material and is fully contained, and if it is completely cleaned up without further incident, including repairing the cause of the spill. The IPM Coordinator will determine whether these agencies should be contacted.

Staff must ensure that a pesticide does not pollute the water supply. A primary aim in following the procedures outlined here is to recover and reuse as much of the spilled pesticide as possible.

Any absorbent or other contaminated material from which the spilled pesticide cannot be recovered is hazardous waste and must be labeled, stored and disposed of properly.

9.3. First Aid

1. Handle any emergency situation as per first aid instructions on label and safety data sheet. Call for emergency backup if necessary.

2. Contact the Florida Poison Center: 1-800-222-1222; take the label and safety data sheet for medical personnel reference if it is necessary to leave the site.

Athletics IPM Guidelines - Page 5 of 7

3. Inform your supervisor and the integrated pest management working group or manager as soon as possible.

10. CERTIFICATIONS:

Staff Licensing for Athletics Division

LICENSED

STAFF

POSITION TITLE FDACS LICENSE/CATEGORY

EXPIRATION

DATE

Chris Harrison Environmental Pest Management Technician

Turf & Ornamental/PB7989 4/30/2020

Steve Hardy Environmental Pest Management Technician

Turf & Ornamental/PB7989 1/31/2022

Kazimierz Korzen

Environmental Pest Management Technician

Turf & Ornamental/PB7989 3/31/2022

Greg Laue Skilled Trades Worker II Commercial Pest Control Operator 6/1/2019

Joe Gillen Skilled Trades Worker I Turf & Ornamental/PB7989 3/8/2019

Jon Loschin Skilled Trades Worker I Turf & Ornamental/PB7989 5/31/2021

10. EVALUATE RESULTS – After implementation of control measures, evaluate to determine if action taken has been effective in pest reduction and is cost effective.

11. RECORD KEEPING:

Records are kept in three locations:

• Work Order System (Currently Maximo), applications are recorded daily on each work order then submitted to data entry where it will be entered into Maximo. The applicator loads all the targeted pest information, product information, amounts of chemical used and locations sprayed which corresponds to the associated work order.

• Applicator’s personal spray record (paper form) is filled out on a daily basis and maintained by the applicator.

• The Applicator’s form is also scanned for County records, kept on file for three years and submitted to the IPM coordinator for County tracking purposes overall.

Athletics IPM Guidelines - Page 6 of 7

Attachment A Field Level Priority List (1=High, 2=Medium, 3=Low)

Area Location Priority

North 17th St Soccer 1

North 17th St Softball – Adult 2

North Babe Ruth Baseball – Adult 1

North Fruitville Park Soccer 2

North Fruitville Park Softball – Adult 2

North Lawn Bowling 1

North Miss Sarasota Softball – Youth 1

North Newtown Estates Baseball –

Youth

North Tatum Ridge Soccer 1

North Youth Athletic Baseball – Youth 1

39 Total North Fields

Central Bee Ridge Park Softball – Adult 2

Central By-Pass Softball – Adult 1

Central Chuck Reiter Baseball –Youth 1

Central Glebe Soccer 2

Central Glebe Baseball –Youth 2

Central Twin Lakes Baseball 1

Central Twin Lakes Soccer 1

Central Twin Lakes Football 1

Central Twin Lakes multi-purpose area 1

Central Wellfield Soccer 1

Central Wellfield Baseball 1

Central Wellfield Softball 1

Central Wellfield Croquet 1

Central Wellfield Multi Purpose 1

Central Wellfield Practice Football 2

40 Total Central Fields

South Atwater Park Baseball 1

South Butler Park Soccer 2

South Dallas White Softball 3

South Englewood Rec Softball 3

South Englewood Sports Baseball – Adult 1

South Englewood Sports Baseball – Youth 1

South Englewood Sports Softball - Adult 1

South Englewood Sports Softball - Youth 1

South Englewood Sports Soccer 1

South George Mullen Football 1

South Narramore Softball 1

South Narramore Soccer 1

South Heron Creek football 3

34 Total South Fields

Athletics IPM Guidelines - Page 7 of 7

Attachment B

Common Turf Insects, their aesthetic thresholds and inspection/detection methods

Level 1 Priority Fields

Insect Aesthetic Threshold for Turf Inspection/Detection Method

Army Worms 1-2 per square Foot Visual & Soap Flush

Billbugs 6 per square foot Visual

Cut Worms 1 per square foot Visual & Soap Flush

Grubs 1-2 per square foot Visual & Underground

Confirmation

Mole Crickets 1-2 per square foot Visual & Soap Flush

Sob Webworms 3-4 per square foot Visual & Soap Flush

Level 2 Priority Fields

Army Worms 3-4 per square Foot Visual & Soap Flush

Billbugs 8 per square foot Visual

Grubs 3-4 per square foot Visual & Underground

Mole Crickets 3-4 per square foot Visual & Soap Flush

Sob Webworms 5-8 per square foot Visual & Soap Flush

Level 3 Priority Fields

Army Worms 4-5 per square Foot Visual & Soap Flush

Billbugs 10 per square foot Visual

Grubs 4 or more per square foot Visual & Underground

Mole Crickets 4 or more per square foot Visual & Soap Flush

Sob Webworms 9 or more per square foot Visual & Soap Flush

Beaches and Water Access IPM Guidelines - Page 1 of 6

Beaches and Water Access Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Guidelines

A. Purpose: To provide guidelines for Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources (PRNR) staff involved in

C. Authority / Supporting Policy: Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners Resolution No. 2005- 110 confirms the continued adoption of Integrated Pest Management as the county’s standard pest management practice.

D. Procedure:

1. Area of Responsibility:

The Beaches and Water Access (BWA) division of Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources is responsible for the management of pest populations of non-native/exotic invasive plants and animal species for close to 840 acres of water and beach accesses, natural areas, trails and public beaches in Sarasota County. Some of the areas that are managed by the Beaches and Water Access Division include but are not limited to Caspersen Beach Park, Blind Pass Beach, South Lido Beach Park, Siesta Beach, and Snook Haven. The Sarasota County IPM Procedural Guidelines state that the success of the program depends on adherence to the IPM Protocol.

2. Major Pests:

2.1. Invasive Exotic Plants

The “Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council’s 2017 List of Invasive Plant Species” (2017 FLEPPC list) is the most complete and accurate listing for nuisance exotic plant species that demonstrate the ability to expand their range into natural (native) plant communities in Florida. While Beaches and Water Access staff recognizes that all species noted on the list pose a potential threat to county managed lands, only certain species require a concerted integrated pest management regime to limit negative impacts in Sarasota County. They include but are not limited to the following species:

ATTACHMENT 3

Beaches and Water Access IPM Guidelines - Page 2 of 6

Species Common Name Scientific Name

Air Potato Dioscorea bulbifera

Australian Pine Casuarina equisetifolia

Beach Naupaka Scaevola taccada

Brazilian Pepper Schinus terebinthifolius

Carrotwood Cupaniopsis anacardioides

Cogon Grass Imperata cylindrica

Guinea Grass Megathyrsus maximus

Natal Grass Rhynchelytrum repens

Rosary Pea Abrus precatorius

Seaside Mahoe Thespesia populnea

Woman’s Tongue Albizia lebbeck

2.2. Invasive Exotic Reptiles

The Environmental Permitting Division (EPD) of Planning and Development Services is responsible for the tracking and management of invasive exotic reptiles throughout Sarasota County. Control measures for these species do not currently require the use of pesticides. In the beach and water access areas of Sarasota County, common green iguanas (Iguana iguana) and black spiny-tailed iguanas (Ctenosaura similis) have been documented. Based on the Sarasota County Exotic Reptile Management Plan (www.scgov.net - keywords “exotic reptile management plan”), these exotic species are reported to EPD. County staff and contracted services have been utilized to remove these species.

3. IDENTIFICATION and SCOUTING:

3.1. Each park under the Beaches and Water Access division’s responsibility has a designated supervisor, crew leader and/or park specialist. Depending on their job assignments, any or all of these staff members may be responsible for scouting for new pest occurrences and monitoring known ones. Pest occurrences of primary species of concern are mapped using GPS/GIS technology when it is available. This database is used to identify areas of higher pest occurrences and to direct resources to target them.

3.2. The protection of large expanses of native habitat requires a proactive approach which sets treatment thresholds very low. Emphasis is placed on early detection and treatment of outlying pest occurrences such that treatment is initiated at the lowest observable levels for primary pest species.

Sample Scouting Form - The form below is a sample of a scouting form that may be implemented in the future to improve record keeping throughout this division. (Florida Natural Areas Inventory - Digital Version for use with Trimble GPS device)

4. MONITORING – Determine the extent of injury or problem levels (set thresholds), and use visual inspection or monitoring devices. All monitoring results are documented.

5. ANALYSIS – Based on findings from identification, scouting and monitoring, determine best response options of; take no action, continue monitoring (collect more data) or act to address pest.

http://www.scgov.net/ http://www.fnai.org/invasivespecies.cfm

Beaches and Water Access IPM Guidelines - Page 3 of 6

6. REVIEW CONTROL OPTIONS:

6.1. Cultural

Prescribed burns: Many woody exotic plant species such as Brazilian pepper, carrotwood, and Australian pine can be controlled or curtailed in this way often eliminating plants or delaying the need for chemical control for several years. At Caspersen Beach Park, prescribed burns could be used in the future to remove and control invasive species in the park.

Vector Prevention: One essential aspect of invasive plant management is the prevention of the inadvertent spread of weed propagules in the course of regular land management activities.

Seeds, spores, rhizomes, and other propagules can all be accidentally carried to new locations on the vehicles, equipment and clothing of staff and contractors. It is, therefore, critical to take measures to avoid becoming a vector for the very weeds that are targeted by these control measures

At the end of each shift and/or before moving equipment from site to site, all crevices on vehicles and equipment must be rinsed with water or blown with compressed air when contact with weed propagules is likely to have occurred. If contact with live spores of plants in the genus Lygodium is likely to have occurred, vehicles and equipment should not be moved to other sites during the same day. Additionally, if staff clothing has come in contact with live spores, staff should take the most direct route without visiting other sites or other non-infested areas when exiting the treatment areas.

6.2. Mechanical

Selectively timed mowing and Brown’s tree cutting (rough vegetation mowing) are methods used that reduce or delay the need for chemical applications to control certain invasive plant species. Many annual weed species or short lived perennial species that rely heavily on reseeding to maintain populations year to year are very vulnerable to well-timed mowing events.

Control of all animal pests including common green iguanas and black spiny-tailed iguanas is achieved by humanely trapping or using other suitable tools which minimize undue pain and suffering.

6.3. Biological

Currently no biological agents are being used by the BWA division. However, there are opportunities to implement the use of biological agents for certain species such as air potato and climbing fern. These will be pursued where staff and manager reviews indicate that the use of the biocontrol agent would be prudent. In all cases the recommendations of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Institute for Food and Agricultural Sciences will be considered.

6.4. Chemical

Often when cultural and mechanical methods have failed to prevent the establishment of pest species, and until biocontrol agents are identified, tested and approved for release, chemical control remains the only cost-effective control method for a large number of the species for which management programs are needed. There are many non-native invasive plants that exist within the beach ecosystems in Sarasota County. Below are only a few of those but are prevalent. Proper chemical control methods and herbicides to control other pest plants can be

Beaches and Water Access IPM Guidelines - Page 4 of 6 found on the University of Florida IFAS website (http://ipm.ifas.ufl.edu/environmental/Invasive_Plants.shtml).

7. SELECT CONTROL TACTICS – Select the most environmentally sound and economically viable treatment strategies to suppress the pest problem. Least-toxic methods must be used before more toxic ones.

8. USE APPROVED PESTICIDES – Use only products that are on Sarasota County’s list of approved pesticides. (See Appendix A - Sarasota County IPM Procedural Guidelines)

9. PESTICIDE STORAGE:

9.1. Storage Guidelines

Pesticides or pesticide containers shall be kept in secure and safe locations in accordance with existing laws. They shall be kept in a secure location and, if possible, in a temperature controlled, well-ventilated area. Areas used for storage shall be labeled and designated for use by work unit supervisors. Pesticides shall be safeguarded from environmental damage such as extreme temperature, photodecomposition or moisture. All pesticides in storage shall be inspected regularly and, if necessary, rotated on the shelf to assure that the oldest dated items are used first. Central warehousing of pesticides shall take place at the Pinkney Avenue Complex behind the Mosquito Management Services area. A copy of all Specimen Labels and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSD) as well as a spill contingency plan, and spill clean-up/containment kit are housed at these facilities. Pesticides being transported shall be appropriately and safely secured in the vehicle. Only licensed applicators shall transport pesticides. Appropriate spill response supplies and notebook containing copies of all herbicide labels and MSDS must be immediately available. Pesticides shall not be transported in passenger cabs of vehicles where alternatives exist, such as truck beds, truck boxes or vehicle trunks.

9.2. Spill Response

The primary method by which this division reduces pesticide spills is through prevention.

Through planning, preparation, adherence to good work practices, and increased awareness of the potential results of a spill, the possibility of a spill occurring is minimized. Should an emergency release of a pesticide occur, personnel will respond in accordance with all governmental regulations, including those of Department of Transportation, Environmental Protection Agency, and Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, and this policy.

In performing emergency activities following a spill, protection of both employees and the public, is of great concern, as is protection of property and the environment. Anyone liable for a spill shall immediately clean up the spill or release. The cleanup must use the best available methods to achieve the lowest practicable level of contamination. OSHA, which is concerned with worker protection, has two regulations governing spills. One, Hazard Communication, applies to incidental spills that present a low potential of hazard to the worker, the public and the environment. Included are small spills of dilute pesticides, spills of material with granular formulations, and lower toxicity materials. The other regulation, Emergency Response, applies to incidents with a high degree of hazard such as large spills of dilute material, pesticides with higher toxicity, and concentrates in a confined space.

An incidental spill becomes an Emergency Response when:

1. The release or spill significantly impacts another agency's functions;

2. The incidental spill precipitates evacuation or curtailing of work;

http://ipm.ifas.ufl.edu/environmental/Invasive_Plants.shtml

Beaches and Water Access IPM Guidelines - Page 5 of 6

Emergency Response will be handled by a local jurisdictional HAZMAT team. If a serious emergency occurs and the local fire department has been called in, or if there has been a spill that extends outside Parks facilities or could reach surface water, the National Response Center must be called. If it exceeds the amount listed in the Code of Federal Regulations List of Hazardous Substances and Reportable Quantities, the spill must be reported to the National Response Center.

The spill need not be reported immediately if it occurs on a surface impervious to the hazardous material and is fully contained, and if it is completely cleaned up without further incident, including repairing the cause of the spill. The IPM Coordinator will determine whether these agencies should be contacted.

Staff must ensure that a pesticide does not pollute the water supply. A primary aim in following the procedures outlined here is to recover and reuse as much of the spilled pesticide as possible.

Any absorbent or other contaminated material from which the spilled pesticide cannot be recovered is hazardous waste and must be labeled, stored and disposed of properly.

9.3. First Aid

1. Handle any emergency as per first aid instructions on label and safety data sheet. Call for emergency backup if necessary.

2. Contact the Florida Poison Center: 1-800-222-1222; take the label and safety data sheet for medical personnel reference if it is necessary to leave the site.

10. CERTIFICATIONS:

Staff Licensing for Beaches and Water Access Division

LICENSED STAFF POSITION TITLE FDACS LICENSE/CATEGORY

EXPIRATION

DATE

Scott Moranda Operational Manager I CM20920/Natural Areas Weed Management, ROW Pest Control

2/28/2019

Luke Thema Environmental Specialist II

Natural Areas. License # PB11701 4/30/2020

NON-LICENSED POSITION TITLE DIRECT SUPERVISOR

Tim Treece Crew Leader Scott Moranda

11. EVALUATE RESULTS – After implementation of control measures, evaluate to determine if action

Beaches and Water Access IPM Guidelines - Page 6 of 6

12. RECORD KEEPING:

The following form (or an application log excel sheet) is used on a daily basis to record information related to all pesticide applications made by BWA staff. Contractors are asked to use this form or a similar form that captures the same basic information.

PESTICIDE APPLICATION RECORD

APPLICANT INFORMATION:

Applicator __________________________ Date_____________________ Chemical/Brand Name_________________ Active Material & Formulation Conc.___________________

Target Pest(s)

Total Area Treated __________

Application Rate (%)

Amount of Pesticide Mixed Per ____ Gallons of Water

Total Amount of Pesticide Used

Additive (Surfactant/Wetting Agent in gallons or lbs.) _____________________ Rate __________

APPLICANT EQUIPMENT:

Method of Application ____________________ Equipment Weather Observations: Wind Speed: ________ Other Observations______________

OTHER COMMENTS:

file://///bccshare.bcc.scgov.local/shared/CSBC/Parks/01%20Beaches-Water%20Access/IPM/Beaches%20Herbicide%20Application%20Log.xlsx

NAPPT IPM Guidelines - Page 1 of 8

Natural Area Parks, Preserves and Trails Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Guidelines

A. Purpose: To provide guidelines for Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources (PRNR) staff involved in activities related to the management of pests and undesirable vegetation, including contractual services, to ensure all such activities within the PRNR system are compliant with their respective PRNR Division IPM plans.

B. Objective: To reduce risks to human health and the environment by minimizing the use of pesticides through application of integrated pest management practices and emphasizing proven, effective least-toxic and non-toxic approaches and products in County practices.

C. Authority / Supporting Policy: Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners Resolution No. 2005- 110 confirms the continued adoption of Integrated Pest Management as the county’s standard pest management practice.

D. Procedure:

1. Area of Responsibility:

Natural Area Parks, Preserves and Trails (NAPPT) is responsible for the management of pest populations of invasive plants and animals for over 70,000 acres of natural areas including lands purchased under the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program (ESLPP) and the Natural Areas system which includes sites such as the Pinelands Reserve, T. Mabry Carlton, Jr.

Memorial Reserve, Big Slough Preserve, Jelks Preserve, Scherer Thaxton Preserve, Alligator Creek Conservation and Recreation Area, Shamrock Park, Lemon Bay Park, Urfer Family Park and Rothenbach Park. This is accomplished in accordance with the Land Management Master Plan, site specific management plans (for those sites that have them) and/or the following integrated pest management plan.

ATTACHMENT 4

NAPPT IPM Guidelines - Page 2 of 8

2. Major Pests:

2.1. Invasive Exotic Plants

The Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council’s (FLEPPC) 2017 List of Invasive Plant Species is the most complete and accurate listing for exotic plant species that demonstrate the ability to expand their range into natural (native) plant communities in Florida. While NAPPT staff recognizes that all species noted on the list pose a potential threat to County managed lands, only certain species require a concerted integrated pest management regime to limit negative impacts in Sarasota County. These species include but are not limited to the following:

Primary species Latin Name

Cogon grass Imperata cylindrica

Old World Climbing Fern Lygodium microphyllum

Guinea grass Panicum maximum

Brazilian pepper Schinus terebinthifolius

Carrotwood Cupaniopsis anacardioides

Air Potato Dioscorea bulbifera

Melaleuca Melaleuca quinquenervia

Rosary Pea Abrus precatorius

Peruvian primrose willow Ludwigia peruviana

West Indian marsh grass Hymenachne amplexicaulis

Tropical soda apple Solanum viarum

Lantana Lantana camara

Wedelia Sphagneticola trilobata

Natal Grass Rhynchelytrum repens

Torpedo grass Panicum repens

Wild Balsam Apple Momordica charantia

Downy Rose Myrtle Rhodomyrtus tomentosa

2.2. Feral Hogs

Wild hogs are found throughout the state with the exception of the Florida Keys. The damage they inflict on native species and habitats is substantial and well documented. NAPPT actively manages feral swine populations through trapping removal methods. This work is performed by licensed contractors with the appropriate facilities for holding and quarantining feral hogs as designated and inspected by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Contract specifications for the Feral Hog Removal Contract (Term Contract No. 1215790100) can be found on the PRNR Sharepoint site (under PRNR Procurement).

2.3. Invasive Exotic Reptiles

The Environmental Permitting Division (EPD) of Planning and Development Services is responsible for the tracking and management of invasive exotic reptiles throughout Sarasota County. Control measures for these species do not currently require the use of pesticides. A detailed management plan has been developed for the program and can be found on the county’s website (www.scgov.net - Keywords: Exotic Reptile Management Plan). NAPPT staff report invasive reptile sightings and assist in the removal of invasive exotic reptiles with EPD.

http://www.scgov.net/

NAPPT IPM Guidelines - Page 3 of 8

3. Identification and Scouting:

3.1 Each park or managed natural area under NAPPT responsibility has a designated land manager.

The site manager is responsible for scouting for new pest occurrences and monitoring known ones with the support of NAPPT staff and volunteers. Known sites will be surveyed at appropriate intervals to determine treatment success and to plan retreatment. Pest occurrences of primary species of concern are mapped using GPS/GIS technology. This database is used to identify areas of higher pest occurrences and to direct resources to target them.

The protection of large expanses of native habitat requires a proactive approach which sets treatment thresholds very low. Emphasis is placed on early detection and treatment of outlying pest occurrences such that treatment is initiated at the lowest observable levels for primary pest species.

3.2 Sample Scouting Form - (Florida Natural Areas Inventory - Digital Version for use with Trimble GPS device)

4. Monitoring – Determine the extent of injury or problem levels (set thresholds), and use visual inspection or monitoring devices. All monitoring results are documented.

5. Analysis – Based on findings identification, scouting and monitoring, determine best response options of; take no action, continue monitoring (collect more data) or act to address pest.

6. Review Control Options:

6.1. Cultural

Prescribed Fire: The County’s prescribed fire program treats several thousand acres annually.

Many woody exotic plant species such as Brazilian pepper, carrotwood, and lantana can be controlled or curtailed in this way often eliminating plants or delaying the need for chemical control for several years. There are however several invasive species that are well adapted to fire and may be increased by fire. Cogon grass, for example, resprouts quickly and vigorously producing seed within a number of weeks following fire. However, decay of the thatch within two to three weeks post burn, eliminates barriers to herbicide contact of the invasive leaves and rhizomes, and reduces non-target damage to many of the slower growing native plants. In addition, the loss of apical dominance of taller leaf blades means that a much greater leaf surface area to rhizome mass ratio is achieved following fire with many more of the rhizome nodes producing leaves than would otherwise be the case. This facilitates the greatest possible amount of herbicide uptake and sometimes enables patches of cogon grass to be eliminated with a single treatment.

Vector Prevention: One essential aspect of invasive plant management is the prevention of the inadvertent spread of weed propagules in the course of regular land management activities.

Seeds, spores, rhizomes, and other propagules can all be accidentally carried to new locations on the vehicles, equipment and clothing of staff and contractors. It is, therefore, critical to take measures to avoid becoming a vector for the very weeds that are targeted by these control measures.

At the end of each shift and/or before moving equipment from site to site, all crevices on vehicles and equipment must be rinsed with water or blown with compressed air when contact with weed propagules is likely to have occurred. If contact with live spores of plants in the genus Lygodium is likely to have occurred, vehicles and equipment should not be moved to other sites during the same day. Additionally, if staff clothing has come in contact with live spores, s taff should

NAPPT IPM Guidelines - Page 4 of 8 take the most direct route without visiting other sites or other non-infested areas when exiting the treatment areas. These recommendations are also written into NAPPT contract specifications.

6.2. Mechanical

Selectively timed mowing, Brown’s tree cutting (rough vegetation mowing) and roller-chopping are all methods currently used that reduce or delay the need for chemical applications to control certain invasive plant species. Many annual weed species or short lived perennial species that rely heavily on reseeding to maintain populations year to year are very vulnerable to well-timed mowing events. Caesarweed, Purple sesban, and Showy Rattlebox are a few species that are routinely controlled by mowing, eliminating or greatly reducing the need to spray late in the growing season.

Control of all animal pests including feral hogs, black spiny-tailed iguanas, and Burmese pythons is achieved by humanely trapping or dispatching using firearms (conventional or air rifles) or other suitable tool which minimizes undue pain and suffering.

6.3. Biological

To date the use of biological control agents on invasive plants under NAPPT’s area of responsibility has been limited to three pest plant species. Melaleuca, lygodium and air potato.

The melaleuca weevil (Oxyops vitiosa) was released on the Carlton Reserve in 1998. During recent surveys in 2010-2014 it has been observed that over 80% of extant melaleuca trees discovered show significant signs of damage from the weevil. Damaged foliage, reduced seed set, and death of some seedlings have all been observed. In 2013 the release of the air potato leaf beetle (Lilioceris cheni) on Circus Hammock was initiated. A vegetation transect and a series of geo-referenced photo-points was used to assess impacts of the air potato leaf beetle on air potato infestations and to look for signs of non-target damage associated with the beetle.

Transects and field observations revealed little change in vegetation likely due to failure of the beetle to establish. Releases on additional properties have been approved for FY15. Lygodium defoliating moth (Neomusotima conspurcatalis) was released by county staff at the Carlton Reserve during 2014. There was a separate occurrence of lygodium defoliating moth that migrated to Twin Lakes Park, likely from prior releases at Myakka River State Park.

There are several additional opportunities for the deliberate use/release of currently available biological control agents by Sarasota County. These will be pursued where staff and manager reviews indicate that the use of the biocontrol agent would be prudent. In all cases the recommendations of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Institute for Food and Agricultural Sciences will be considered. However, there are numerous biological control agents that have been screened, approved for release, and which are currently playing a role in the control of a variety of plant pests. This adventive use of biocontrol agents and the contribution they are currently making towards control programs for pest plants has not been well documented. As these biological control agents become more readily available and it is determined that natural dispersal of these agents to target pest populations may not be occurring, steps may be taken to obtain and release biological control agents for eligible targets.

6.4. Chemical

Often when cultural and mechanical methods have failed to prevent the establishment of pest species, and until biocontrol agents are identified, tested and approved for release, chemical control remains the only cost- effective control method for a large number of the species for which management programs are needed.

NAPPT IPM Guidelines - Page 5 of 8

7. Select Control Tactics – Select the most environmentally sound and economically viable treatment strategies to suppress the pest problem. Least-toxic methods must be used before more toxic ones.

8. Use Approved Pesticides – Use only products that are on Sarasota County’s list of approved pesticides.

(See Appendix A - Sarasota County IPM Procedural Guidelines)

9. Pesticide Storage/Safety:

9.1. Storage Guidelines

Pesticides or pesticide containers shall be kept in secure and safe locations in accordance with existing laws. They shall be kept in a secure location and, if possible, in a temperature controlled, well-ventilated area. Areas used for storage shall be labeled and designated for use by work unit supervisors. Pesticides shall be safeguarded from environmental damage such as extreme temperature, photodecomposition or moisture. All pesticides in storage shall be inspected regularly and, if necessary, rotated on the shelf to assure that the oldest dated items are used first. Central warehousing of pesticides shall take place at the Pinkney Avenue Complex and Central County Landfill Complex within the hazardous materials storage facility. A copy of all Specimen Labels and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) as well as a spill contingency plan, and spill clean- up/containment kit are housed at these facilities. Pesticides being transported shall be appropriately and safely secured in the vehicle. Only licensed applicators shall transport concentrated pesticides. Appropriate spill response supplies and notebook containing copies of all herbicide labels and MSDS must be immediately available. Pesticides shall not be transported in passenger cabs of vehicles where alternatives exist, such as truck beds, truck boxes or vehicle trunks.

9.2. Responsible Party / Emergency contacts

The NAPPT division’s management team and IPM Coordinator shall verify that the plan is being implemented consistently and correctly, that performance persists over time, and that performance measurement methods truly reflect actual outcomes. In case of emergency, the IPM Coordinator and a member of the division’s management team will be contacted.

IPM Coordinator Robert Pasquali 941-275-2684

NAPPT Management Team

Jon Robinson 941-780-3909 Jill Parnell 941-915-5118 Jerris Foote 941-232-6508 Brooke Langston 941-237-0723

9.3 Spill Response

The primary method by which NAPPT reduces pesticide spills is through prevention. Through planning, preparation, adherence to good work practices, and increased awareness of the potential results of a spill, the possibility of a spill occurring is minimized. Should an emergency release of a pesticide occur, personnel will respond in accordance with all governmental regulations, including those of Department of Transportation, Environmental Protection Agency, and Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, and this policy. In performing emergency activities following a spill, protection of both employees and the public, is of great

NAPPT IPM Guidelines - Page 6 of 8 concern, as is protection of property and the environment. Anyone liable for a spill shall immediately clean up the spill or release. The cleanup must use the best available methods to achieve the lowest practicable level of contamination. OSHA, which is concerned with worker protection, has two regulations governing spills. One, Hazard Communication, applies to incidental spills that present a low potential of hazard to the worker, the public and the environment. Included are small spills of dilute pesticides, spills of material with granular formulations, and lower toxicity materials. The second regulation, Emergency Response, applies to incidents with a high degree of hazard such as large spills of dilute material, pesticides with higher toxicity, and concentrates in a confined space.

An incidental spill becomes an Emergency Response when:

1. The release or spill significantly impacts another agency's functions;

2. The incidental spill precipitates evacuation or curtailing of work;

Only licensed pesticide applicators can transport or apply concentrated pesticides. Unlicensed staff may apply ready to use pesticides if the treatment requires less than 5 gallons total. Staff will receive training and equipment that will allow them to respond to incidental spills. Spills that require an Emergency Response will be handled by a local jurisdictional HAZMAT team. If a serious emergency occurs and the local fire department has been called in, or if there has been a spill that extends outside PRNR facilities or could reach surface water, the National Response Center must be called. If it exceeds the amount listed in the Code of Federal Regulations List of Hazardous Substances and Reportable Quantities, the spill must be reported to the National Response Center.

The spill need not be reported immediately if it occurs on a surface impervious to the hazardous material and is fully contained, and if it is completely cleaned up without further incident, including repairing the cause of the spill. The management team and IPM Coordinator should be notified of the spill, containment and cleanup methods within one business day. The IPM Coordinator will determine whether these agencies should be contacted.

Staff must ensure that a pesticide does not pollute the water supply. A primary aim in following the procedures outlined here is to recover and reuse as much of the spilled pesticide as possible. Any absorbent or other contaminated material from which the spilled pesticide cannot be recovered may be hazardous waste and must be labeled, stored and disposed of properly.

9.4 First Aid

1. Handle any emergency situation as per first aid instructions on label and safety data sheet.

Call for emergency backup if necessary.

2. Contact the Florida Poison Center: 1-800-222-1222; take the label and safety data sheet for medical personnel reference if it is necessary to leave the site.

3. Inform your supervisor and the IPM Coordinator as soon as possible.

NAPPT IPM Guidelines - Page 7 of 8

10. Certifications:

All NAPPT personnel that are required to apply pesticides in the course of their work are required to maintain a Restricted Use Pesticide Applicator’s License in Natural Areas category through the

Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Selected staff will be required to maintain Right-of-Way and/or Aquatic categories for herbicide applications in these areas. Funding is provided in the NAPPT budget for licenses and training to obtain license specific CEUs.

LICENSED STAFF POSITION TITLE FDACS LICENSE/CATEGORY Expiration Date

Diana Donaghy Environmental Specialist III PB12064/Natural Areas Weed Management

12/31/2021

Lisa Bramlage Parks/Recreation Specialist III PB12054/Natural Areas Weed Management

11/30/2021

Art Jensen Environmental Specialist I (AdVance)

PB12278/Aquatic Pest Control, Natural Areas Weed Management

6/30/2022

Robert Pasquali Environmental Specialist I PB11230/Aquatic Pest Control, Natural Areas Weed Management

02/28/2019

Jeffrey Weber Environmental Specialist III PB 7996/Natural Areas Weed Management

04/30/2020

Jill Parnell Supervisor - Parks PB12051/Natural Areas Weed Management

11/30/2021

Megan Donoghue Eidel

Parks/Recreation Specialist PB12058/Natural Areas Weed Management

11/30/2021

Matthew Brady Environmental Specialist II PB12305/Natural Areas Weed Management

07/31/2022

11. Evaluate Results – After implementation of control measures, evaluate to determine if action taken has been effective in pest reduction and is cost effective.

12. Record Keeping – The following form (or an application log excel sheet) is used on a daily basis to record information related to all pesticide applications made by NAPPT staff. Contractors are asked to use this form or a similar form that captures the same basic information. Following is an example of the Pesticide Application Record:

NAPPT…