HomeMy WebLinkAboutTIMBERLINE - INTERNATIONAL - FDP210020 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATIONUpdated September 2020 Page 1 of 2
Guidance for Weed Management Plans in the City of Fort Collins
Background: A well thought out and properly implemented Weed Management Plan (WMP) is
critical to achieve the success standard of less than ten percent (10%) absolute cover of noxious
weeds found in most Development Agreements (DA) or restoration plans. Necessary aspects of a
WMP a baseline inventory, outlines applicable best management practices (BMPs), outlines the
monitoring plan to facilitate an adaptive management approach, and establishes success criteria.
WMPs created to meet City of Fort Collins (City) requirements are required to follow an Integrated
Pest Management model in which all every type of control is considered – mechanical, cultural,
biological, and chemical.
Regulatory Code and Applicable Documents: Buffer Zone Performance Standards [LUC
3.4.1(E)(1)(a, e, g)], Development Activities Within the Buffer Zone [LUC 3.4.1(E)(2)(b, c)],
Development Agreement (project specific)
Elements to Consider:
Planning Phase:
• Site assessment: mapping of weed populations, species, densities, priority
species/populations to address, identification of weed sources (on and offsite), identification
of appropriate a nd inappropriate soil salvage areas (where to and not to salvage from, where
to stockpile, define weed prevention on stockpiles)
• Crea te treatment plan: develop treatment plans for specific weeds and a timeline of
treatment actions, identify appropriate construction BMPs to assist with general weed
management, identify which treatment methods (mechanical, cultural, biological, and
chemical) are appropriate for the project across the life of the project
• Create adaptive management framework: establish success criteria, monitoring timeline,
monitoring methodology (preferably line point intercept), and feedback mechanism to insure
that monitoring results appro priately alter the management methods
Pre-construction: treat weeds within Natural Habitat Buffer Zones (NHBZs) PRIOR to initiation of
construction, practice appropriate soil handling during salvage and placement, require earthmoving
equipment to be washed PRIOR to arriving on site, insure that only certified weed-free material is
used for erosion BMPs (fiber roll barriers, sediment logs, erosion blankets, etc.)
During construction : require earthmoving equipment to be washed PRIOR to arriving on site,
ongoing weed management of all areas and stockpiles, minimize amount of bare ground and length
of time ground is bare, monitor we ed populations,
Post-construction: active weed management, maintaining healthy/vigorous stands of
turf/landscaping, etc., pay attention to areas that require hand pulling around tree and shrub
plantings, implement adaptive management monitoring plan
Planning, Development and
Transportation Services
Planning Services
281 North College Ave.
P.O. Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580
970.221.6750
970.224.6134 - fax
fcgov.com/currentplanning
Updated September 2020 Page 2 of 2
Glossary of Key Terms:
Adaptive Management is a structured, iterative process based on a feedback loop of monitoring
and implementation that can adapt to ever-changing situations.
Biological Control involves using living organisms, such as insects, nematodes, bacteria, fungi, or
livestock, to reduce weed populations. Not all weeds have viable biological controls, and the release
of biological agents is regulated by the Colorado Department of Agriculture.
Chemical Control involves the use of chemicals called herbicides to kill and prevent plant growth.
Different herbicides function in different ways and are can more or less effective depending on the
weed species and method of function. Types of herbicides are contact (destroy plant tissue on
contact), systemic/translocating (applied to the leaves and then moves to other parts of the plant),
and pre-emergent (applied to the soil to prevent germination or early growth of weeds). Herbicides
are regulated by the US EPA and label instructions must be followed to insure human and ecological
health. The label is the law! Licensed applicators are advised.
Cultural Control involves modifying the growing environment to reduce weeds. Examples include
modifying soil pH or fertility, altering irrigation practices, controlled grazing, the use of ground covers
(i.e., mulching), and providing ample resource competition through desired vegetation.
Integrated Pest Management is an ecosystem-based strategy that focuses on long-term prevention
of pests through a combination of biological, chemical, cultural, and mechanical methods.
Mechanical Control involves the removal or manipulation of weeds by physical means such as
mowing, cutting, or handpicking.
A Weed Management Plan often includes the following elements:
-Baseline survey of existing site vegetation (including weed species, distribution, and density)
-Appropriate management techniques for the project - mechanical, cultural, biological, and chemical
-Adaptive management framework – the who, what, when, where, why, and how of the monitoring,
as well as the communication framework to ensure that management is adjusted to monitoring
results
-Applicable BMPs – pre -, during, and post-construction
-Proposed success criteria
Resources:
Colorado Department of Agriculture
Treatment guidelines and resources, biological control options, identification resources
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/agconservation/noxiousweeds
Colorado State University Extension – Small Acreage Management Program
Species profiles, treatment recommendations
https://sam.extension.colostate.edu/topics/weeds/
Larimer County Weed Management District
Expert advice, species profiles, educational resources, list of licensed applicators
2649 E. Mulberry St., Suite 6, Fort Collins, CO 80524
(970) 498 -5768; https://www.larimer.org/naturalresources/weeds