HomeMy WebLinkAboutWATERFIELD THIRD FILING - FDP - FDP140006 - CORRESPONDENCE - ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTWATERFIELD NATURAL HABITAT BUFFER ZONE
WEED CONTROL PLAN GUIDANCE
This guidance document presents the basis for development of the weed control plan for the
Waterfield Natural Habitat Buffer Zone (project area), if weeds are deemed to be detrimental to
plant establishment success or eradication is required as per local or state regulations. As
general guidance, it is recommended that no more than 10 percent of total plant cover be
comprised of weeds ("weed" definition in last paragraph) in the project area at the end of each
growing season. The project area will be evaluated twice per year for weed establishment, once
in mid -growing season and once at the end of each growing season for a period of three years
following construction and planting. The completed plan will be submitted to the City of Fort
Collins Natural Areas Program, as required for review and approval.
A Licensed Commercial Pesticide Applicator (LCPA) will prepare the weed control plan. All
subsequent weed control activities will also be conducted by an LCPA. The plan will be in the
form of an Integrated Pest Management Plan (IPM) that will consider all methods of control that
could be applicable to the project area. These methods include mechanical, chemical, cultural,
and biological techniques. Prior to plan preparation, a visit to the project area will be conducted
at the end of the first growing season by the LCPA accompanied by representatives of the City of
Fort Collins and the Waterfield development team, as appropriate. The objective of this site visit
will be to assess site conditions, routes of access, weedy species present, the proximity of
wetlands to the proposed treatment areas, potential sources of run-on and run-off, and any other
factors relevant to the weed control planning process. Given the presence of wetlands within the
project area, initial emphasis will be on weed control methods other than chemical, although
chemical controls do exist that are considered to be appropriate for use in these cases.
Plant species to be considered as weeds and controlled and/or eradicated at this project
site, as per City code, are those listed by the Larimer County Weed Control District and those
listed as noxious by the Colorado Weed Law. The primary species identified by baseline surveys
that will need control is Canada thistle, although other target weed species may identified as
requiring control at the end of the first growing season.