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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFORT COLLINS NISSAN-KIA - PDP210017 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 3 - SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION (2)Fort Collins Nissan Noxious Weed Best Management Practices (BMP) Noxious weeds are common in urban and developed areas. Construction-related ground disturbances create ideal conditions for the spread of noxious weeds. Follow the practices listed below to limit the spread and/or establishment of noxious weeds during construction activities. Pre-Construction Phase: • Treat existing noxious weed populations prior to site activities. Aggressive treatment of existing weed populations greatly reduces the ability of the weeds to rebound in post- construction conditions. o Collect seed heads of standing noxious weeds as soon as possible and prior to site activities. Seed collection should be focused on annual and biennial forbs. o Apply herbicides as necessary to eradicate non-native grasses and noxious weeds during the growing season. • Require equipment (especially dirt-moving equipment like bulldozers and excavators) to be washed and weed-free before entering the site. • Use only certified weed-free straw and mulch for erosion control projects, including weed-free fiber roll barriers and/or sediment logs. Construction and Post Construction Phases: • Obtain soil components, amendments, seed mixes, and mulches from weed-free sources. • Mulch any non-vegetated surfaces to minimize the amount of noxious weed seeds that will reach the soil surface and germinate. • Seed all temporary soil stockpiles with annual or perennial grasses to prevent colonization by noxious weeds. Topsoil piles may need to be irrigated to promote germination. • Mow seed beds if necessary and mulch all seeded areas within 24 hours of seeding. • Maintain and monitor seeded areas and irrigate, weed and minimize erosion as needed for up to six years. • Utilize chemical control methods throughout the duration of the project (as prescribed) to suppress noxious weeds that are actively growing. Do not apply herbicide to dormant plants -- it will not be effective. • Avoid broadcast application of herbicides within semi-natural areas in favor of hand application with a backpack sprayer or drip candle to limit collateral damage. • Seed head collection or hand pulling of dormant plants (to remove seed) is especially important during restoration. • Mowing is an effective means of control for many weed species. Mowing will reduce seed production of annual and biennial forbs while reducing vigor of perennial weeds. Mowing also prevents flowering and seed production providing time to deplete the seed bank already within the soil. • Avoid transporting topsoil within the site as it is likely to contain significant quantities of weed seed. Reapply topsoil to its point of origin to the greatest extent possible. • Limit the quantity of area exposed to erosion, especially in the growing season, as these areas can support noxious weeds. Restore completed areas as soon as possible. Weed Treatments for Noxious Weeds Identified on Site Utilize the below species specific management recommendations for noxious weeds when encountered. Greater detail is provided on the Upland and Wetland Ecological Restoration Plans. Conduct herbicide application in accordance with label instructions and under the direction of a licensed herbicide applicator. Canada thistle Mow prior to seed head development to decrease plant vigor and seed production. Hand pulling may be effective to control small populations. Properly dispose of seed heads. Combine mechanical treatments with herbicide application for best results. Picloram, aminopyralid, clopyralid, aminocyclopyrachlor + chlorsulfuron, dicamba, and chlorsulfuron are effective. Cheatgrass Apply Rejuvra while grass is germinating to inhibit normal root growth. When applying after germinations, mix with a post-emergence herbicide such as Plateau or Roundup Pro Concentrate. Lasting control of cheatgrass requires reseeding with native perennials. Common mullein Mullein plants have shallow tap roots and can be pulled by hand when soil is moist. Pull Plants or mow when flowering. Herbicides are most effective during the rosette stage. Effective herbicides include metsulfuron and tebuthiuron which should be applied with a surfactant. Reseed affected areas with native perennials. Dalmatian toadflax Successful management requires integrating as many control tactics as possible. Pull or kill the plants with herbicide before seed production begins. Tordon 22K is most effective for chemical control. Repeat this process every year for at least 10 years to completely remove a stand. Plant native perennial vegetation to compete with toadflax. Field bindweed Field bindweed requires active management once it is established because of its potential to regenerate rapidly. Repeat treatment over several years for successful control. Pre-emergence herbicides are not effective because of bindweed’s extensive root system; use systemic post- emergence products. Bindweed survives many herbicides that kill other plants. Foliar application of glyphosate at 1.5 lb. ai/acre or picloram at 0.25-0.5 lb. ai/acre or 2-4 D at 1lb. ai/acre can be effective. Repeat applications for greatest effectiveness. Leafy Spurge Leafy spurge is extremely difficult to control by chemical means and almost impossible to control with cultural or mechanical means. Therefore a management scheme that combines control methods over four to five years is most effective. With herbicide applications apply successive treatments for the greatest effectiveness due to the extensive root systems. Applying A combination of picloram and 2,4-D in the spring when flowers emerge provides the best control.