Clearwater National Forest

A Strategy For Vegetation Management

in the

Clearwater River Basin (2/99)

I. INTRODUCTION.

A common operating approach to the management of noxious weeds and other invasive plants is to focus strictly on specific sites. Weeds are treated, but the relationship of the treatment to the entire weed problem in an area is not addressed. In addition, individual landowners and managers in a given area attempt to manage weeds based on narrowly defined objectives, independent of each other.

Treatment of specific weeds and sites remain a critical component of an effective strategy. However, long-term solutions to the problem of noxious weed and other invasive plants must include a broad-scale approach to weed management. A weed management area is a broad-scale approach to managing invasive exotic plants. The landscape view places specific weeds and treatment sites in context with geographic distribution of invasive plants, susceptible habitats, and management feasibility. The weed management area focus is finding solutions to invasive weeds across a landscape rather than strictly focusing on treatments on specific land ownership’s. The following plan outlines a landscape approach to the weed problem in the Clearwater River Basin in North-Central Idaho.

II. PURPOSE.

The Clearwater River Basin Weed Management Area (CBWMA) is intended to bring together those responsible for weed management within the Clearwater River Basin, to develop common management objectives, set realistic management priorities, facilitate effective treatment and coordinate efforts along logical geographic boundaries with similar landtypes, use patterns and problem species.

III. WEED MANAGEMENT AREA GOALS.

Prevent the introduction, reproduction and spread of designated noxious weeds and invasive exotic plants into and within the Clearwater River Basin.

Reduce the extent and density of established noxious weeds to a point that natural resource damage is within acceptable limits.

Implement the most economical and effective control methods for the target weeds.

Implement an integrated management system using all appropriate available methods or a combination of methods.

IV. COORDINATING COMMITTEE.

Cooperators of the weed management area include private landowners, county government, tribal government, university, state and federal land management agencies, and interested organizations and individuals. A coordinating committee has been organized from interested cooperators to jointly:

Develop and maintain an integrated inventory.

Establish Control Priorities.

Develop specific Weed Management Objectives.

Formulate Weed Management Zones based on geographic areas.

Develop area wide informational, educational and public awareness material.

Coordinate the use of resources and manpower to treat designated weed infestations.

Manage designated weeds in an integrated approach.

Upon completion of the basin’s long range plan, the coordinating committee would continue to meet periodically to develop the Annual Operating Plan, monitor accomplishments, maintain the basin wide inventory, assess effectiveness of control strategies and tactics, and make necessary adjustments.

V. INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT SYSTEM .

Integrated weed management “is a system for the planning and implementation of selected methods of management for preventing, containing or controlling undesirable plant species or group of species using all available strategies and techniques”1. Together these strategies and techniques are economically and environmentally more effective than any single option. All control methods are available and are prescribed on species/infestation specific basis. Elements of Integrated Management included in this plan are:

Education/Awareness

Prevention/Early Detection

Inventory

Treatment (including physical, biological, cultural and chemical methods)

Monitoring

A. Education/Awareness .

Education and awareness programs foster public understanding of the threat invasive exotic plants pose to the natural resources of the Clearwater Basin, the techniques used to manage the weeds and the role humans play in the dispersal and establishment of invasive weeds. Awareness also provides an important first step in the detection of new invaders.

Education includes the training of weed district and agency personnel, private landowners and general public in weed identification, new management techniques, monitoring protocols and other skills needed for the management of noxious and other invasive weeds.

B. Prevention/Early Detection.

Prevention measures are management practices that reduce the potential for the introduction, establishment or spread of weeds. Prevention is a high priority in the management of noxious weeds. In the long term, it is more cost effective to prevent weeds from establishing than to initiate treatment after establishment. The following land management activities require consideration and evaluation of prevention measures:

Timber management

Road construction/reconstruction and maintenance.

Construction and use of rock pits.

Range management activities.

Recreational activities (including construction and maintenance of rec. sites, and areas of concentrated use such as camp sites, trailheads and trails, and off road vehicle use.)

Mining activities.

Wildlife enhancement projects, and management.

Fire suppression and rehabilitation.

Farm management

1 Definition from Federal Noxious Weed Law

C. Inventory.

An inventory is the collection, documentation and storage of information on the extent and location of invasive weeds within the Clearwater Basin. A critical part of integrated management is a current and maintained inventory of infestations occurring within the management area. Inventory provides necessary information for establishing site specific priorities, management objectives and for prescribing treatment methods. It highlights the need for preventive measures and is the baseline for effective monitoring.

D. Treatment Methods.

Under the integrated approach all control methods are available. It is the use of all available options in combination that results in the most successful program. Specific treatment is determined by plant species, site characteristics, and management objectives. The following management techniques of noxious weed control will be considered on a site specific and plant species basis.

Physical/Mechanical: The use of physical or mechanical methods to weed control can be effective on small infestations of annual or biannual species. Hand grubbing, mowing, tilling and burning are commonly used to physically destroy weeds or interfere with their reproduction. To be effective, treatment must take place before seed production. Plants which have flowered must be removed from the site and destroyed. Repeated mowing or tilling during the growing season is required with most weed species.

Biological: Biological weed control involves the deliberate introduction and establishment of natural enemies to reduce the target plant's competitive or reproductive capacities. Insects are the most common agent released against noxious weeds. Plant pathogens, such as fungi, are increasing in use. Sheep and goats have been effective in reducing densities and limiting spread of specific weed species. Biological control can be a slow process, often requiring 10 to 20 years to be effective. Its purpose is not eradication but a reduction in densities and rate of weed spread to an acceptable level. It is most effective on dense weed infestations over large areas.

Chemical: Herbicides are an effective and efficient tool for the control of noxious weeds. Herbicide application and rates are dependent on specific site characteristics, target plant, location, non-target vegetation and land-use. Herbicides are an important method of treatment when control or eradication is the management objective. Environmental concerns make it critical to follow all label instructions, site directions and safety precautions when using any herbicide.

Cultural/Land Use: Cultural practices are activities that purposefully enhance and maintain the growth of desired vegetation. Practices that retain, enhance or introduce desirable plant species that out-compete or dominate exotic plant species can serve as prevention, control and/or follow-up. Examples that are applicable to the management area are seeding, planting, fertilizing, and retaining brush and tree canopy cover. Grazing prescriptions that are designed to maintain or enhance perennial vegetation in a healthy state or maintain soil cover is an important practice in slowing the spread of invasive plants. Minimizing the extent and duration of exposed soil during management actions can also reduce the risk of weed establishment.

E. Monitoring.

Monitoring is the collection of information to determine the effectiveness of management actions in meeting the prescribed objectives. Noxious weed management focuses upon density and rate of spread of invasive exotic plant species, and the effect these aggressive plants have on the natural resources of the Clearwater Basin. The cooperators are also interested in the effectiveness of prescribed actions on the target plant and the response of desirable vegetation. Monitoring will help determine if our prescriptions and activities are accomplishing the goals and objectives established by CBWMA partners.

VI. MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES AND PRIORITIES

The Following management objectives and treatment priorities will be assigned to specific species and/or infestations to provide direction to control actions, and to coordinate management efforts of the CBWMA cooperators. Management objectives will be developed and implemented for seven geographic units that follow watersheds within the Clearwater River Basin. These subunits of the CBWMA will become the operational focus of the weed management strategy. It is intended that these objectives and priorities will focus resources where they are the most effective in managing weeds across the established geographic units (watersheds). This Plan does not directly affect or alter weed management programs outside the Clearwater River Basin.

Management Objective Definitions:

Eradicate. The noxious weed species is eliminated from the CBWMA, including all viable seeds and/or vegetative propagules.

Control. Seed production is prevented throughout the target patch and the area coverage of the weed is decreased over time. Prevent the weed species from dominating the vegetation of the area but accept low levels of the weed.

Contain. Weeds are geographically contained and are not increasing beyond the perimeter of the infestation. Treatment within established infestations may be limited, but control or eradicate outside those areas.

Reduce. The density and/or rate of spread of the weed is reduced across a geographic area.

Custodial. Specific treatment for a particular plant is deferred at this time. Infestations may be treated as a result of other weed priorities. Species not inherently invasive, habitats not susceptible to invasion, or the infestation is beyond current technology, making control, contain or reduce inherently impossible.

See Appendix A. and the Plan of Operations for assigned management objective by area and weed species.

General Management Priorities For the Clearwater Basin Weed Management Area:

1. Prevent the establishment of Potential Invaders.

2. Eradicate New Invaders.

3. Treat transportation corridors and areas of concentrated activities, such as roads, trails, campgrounds, trailheads parking lots and gravel pits and/or treat satellite infestations of Established Invaders.

4. Reduce the density or slow the spread of widespread established invaders.

Potential Invaders: Exotic plant species not known to be located within the CBWMA but occurs adjacent to the area with the imminent potential for introduction and poses a future threat to the resources.

New Invaders: Exotic plant species recently found to occur in the CBWMA with limited distribution and density to make eradication feasible.

Established Invaders: Exotic plant species firmly established and wide spread throughout the weed management area.

Table 1: Weed Classification for the Clearwater Basin

*Listed as noxious weed in the State of Idaho

Adjustments and additions to the list will be made from detection, inventory and monitoring activities. Cooperators may not operate at the same level. However, operations should follow the general prioritizations which will result in the most effective use of resources throughout the weed management area.

The following approach provides for a mix of management techniques and a varied intensity of application according to specific objectives.

VII. SPECIFIC MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATION

A. Education/Awareness

Education and Awareness is a critical element in the long-term management of noxious weeds in the basin. Creating awareness of the threat to the basin’s natural resources and the need to manage weeds will provide the foundation for active treatments, early alert programs and prevention practices. Continued education of practitioners may ensure that effective strategies and new technologies will be incorporated into management actions. The following Education/Awareness focus will be incorporated into the Clearwater basin strategy for managing noxious weeds:

1. Conduct annual Weed Fairs/seminars and tours.

2. Develop and maintain a weed management display for public gatherings such as fairs, expos, conventions and shows. Current focus includes county fairs, statewide horse expo, outfitter and guide convention, Lewiston Home and Garden Show.

3. Develop Interpretive Signs to alert the general public of the threat of weeds and the efforts in the basin.

4. Post weed identification signs at specific trailheads, road turnouts and other public places.

5. Develop a Adopt-A-Weed program at specific beaches, campgrounds, and trailheads. Possible groups include garden clubs, boy scouts, and recreation clubs.

6. Provide presentations to classrooms, and special interest groups such as horse council, Off Highway Vehicles (OHV) groups, Powerboat/rafting groups etc.

7. Develop and implement training programs to familiarize agency personnel with noxious weeds.

8. Develop brochures and pamphlets specific to the Clearwater Basin. Examples include weed free feeds, Early alert posters, and basin overview of existing weeds.

9. Facilitate communication and coordination of cooperators and partners in the basin.

10. Develop demonstration plots for treatment and management techniques.

11. Develop and maintain a quarterly newsletter for the basin.

12. The committee will work with cooperative agencies in developing qualification guidelines for weed management personnel.

B. Recommended Prevention Strategies

Prevention means to reduce conditions that favor the presence of noxious weeds through management of habitat disturbance and weed dispersal, and the improvement of vegetation condition. Cooperators will strive to integrate appropriate prevention measures into management activities, and promote the use of practices that reduce rates of weed spread throughout the Clearwater Basin. Cooperators will work with agencies, organizations and individuals in the development and implementation of prevention practice that could be effective in reducing dispersal and establishment. The following measures are provided as examples. Adopted practices need not be limited to those listed below.

1. To the extent possible minimize disturbance in areas or habitats highly susceptible to weed invasion.

2. Revegetate disturbed sites as soon as possible after disturbance.

3. Encourage the use of high quality seed that is free of noxious weeds. Consider having the seed tested for “all states noxious weeds.”

4. Promote and support the use of certified weed seed free, and/or weed free feeds.

5. Keep gravel pits free of weeds. Noxious weed risks should be considered during new pit and/or road construction. The placement of gravel from infested pits should be mitigated through early monitoring and necessary treatment.

6. Clean -by washing or the use of compressed air- equipment and vehicles when transporting between sites (including logging equipment if the equipment is to be used off road).

7. Manage high human use areas, such as campgrounds, trailheads, turnouts, parking lots, equipment yards, scaling sites, in a weed free state.

8. Maintain existing weed free areas.

9. Maintain rangeland, and open forest sites in healthy vigorous condition.

10. Where practicable maintain tree and brush cover.

11. Where feasible limit access through heavily infested areas.

12. Do not drive vehicles (ORV, trucks, etc.) through infestations.

13. Where shoulders or drainage ditches are covered by desirable herbaceous cover, to the extent possible the vegetation should be left in place rather than blading it off, if such practice can be done without causing excessive damage to the road surface or significant public safety hazard.

14. Road maintenance should incorporate practices to prevent the spread of noxious weeds.

15. Avoid use noxious weed infested sites as staging areas for large projects such as fires, construction, landings, gravel stockpiles, etc.

16. Provide noxious weed identification training and discuss the connection between weed spread and human activities.

17. The following practices are intended to reduce the risk of transporting noxious weed seed by livestock:

· Place livestock in a transition pasture free of the designed weed for 14-20 days prior to moving animals to non-infested areas. Maintain the transition pasture in a noxious weed free state.

· Move animals to weed free areas after the animal has shed.

· Hose down the legs of Livestock as they move through a handling corral.

· Where practical do not herd or trail livestock through weed infestations.

· Graze livestock in weed infested areas when weeds are not flowering or producing seeds.

18. Use the following practices to reduce the risk of spreading weed by pack and saddle stock.

· Pack and saddle stock should be fed weed-free feed for two to three days prior to traveling in the back country.

· Pack and saddle stock should be brushed to remove any weed seed.

· Exclude Pack and saddle stock from dense weed sites, where the risks are high that the animals will spread the weeds off site.

19. Maintain an early alert program where cooperators and interested publics communicate the location of new weeds or new location of existing weed infestations.

C. Inventory

A coordinated weed inventory will be maintained for the entire management area. As a minimum, the inventory will include: Size of infestation, name of target plant, density, and location. Base maps will be USGS 1/24000 topographic quads. The agencies involved will be responsible for furnishing the necessary topographic maps for the lands under their jurisdiction. All cooperators will offer input into the location and types of infestation.

To facilitate the management of information the basin is divided into logical geographic units. These units are:

North Fork of the Clearwater River Drainage.

South Fork of the Clearwater River Drainage

Selway River Drainage

Lochsa River (includes the Middle Fork to Kooskia) Drainage.

Potlatch River Drainage.

Mainstem Clearwater River Drainage and Tributaries. (from Kooskia to Lewiston)

Lolo Creek

As funding and information becomes available a consistent database will be established for each geographic unit. The database will store the distribution of weed species across all land ownership’s.

Summarized in Appendix B are the results of the 1997 noxious weed inventory throughout the Clearwater River Basin. The information can also be found on the web (www) at http://plantain.ag.uidaho.edu . The summary provides an initial assessment of the extent and distribution of problem weeds within the management area. This inventory will be continually updated from new reports of weed infestations, and inventories.

D. Species Management Objectives.

It is assumed that the elements of education, prevention, early detection, and inventory will be integrated concurrently with specific control actions. Management objectives are listed for each weed species by sub-basin in the table found in Addendix A. The objectives are developed in context with the geographic distribution, habitat relationships and invasiveness, relative abundance, and treatment feasibility of specific weeds. Established and widespread weed species within the sub-basins may be stratified into management zones within the Plan of Operations for each sub-basin. Zones with low population levels of the target plant would be managed for eradication, and specific sites maintained as weed free.

E. Annual Operating Plan

Each year a Annual Operating Plan (AOP) will be developed for each sub-basin within the Clearwater River Basin. The Annual Operating Plan outlines the management actions and activities that the cooperators agree to accomplish for the current year. The AOP guides implementation of the Strategic Plan and is designed to establish the yearly actions that contribute to weed management objectives and priorities of the basin.

The annual plan will identify the treatment priorities, treatment tools, prevention measures, locations of priority infestations, specific responsibilities, and other management activities that the subbasin cooperators agree to accomplish for that current year. Individual cooperators and partners may not accomplish each action item outlined in the AOP, but the combined actions of the cooperators will result in the accomplishment of high priority practices across individual sub-basins.

Common practices that are implemented across sub-basins such as educational programs, prevention measures, and inventory work will be coordinated with the CRWMA coordinating committee and the sub-basins groups.

F. Management Implementation.

Each year sub-basin groups will meet to develop an annual operating plan for individual sub-basins that is consistent with the Goals, Objectives and overall basin priorities within the strategic plan. For the purposes of this plan, the Clearwater Basin has been divided into the following sub-basins with lead cooperators:

It is the responsibility of the lead cooperators to contact other partners in the sub-basin to develop and coordinate the annual operating plan. Yearly plans will be developed by April of each year. Implementation will be the responsibility of all cooperators within the sub-basin, and will be conducted in a manner that will further the goals, objectives and priorities of this strategic plan. A copy of the sub-basin AOP will be sent to the chair of the basin coordinating committee.

Yearly accomplishments will be reviewed by the full basin coordinating committee during the fall-winter meeting. The review will focus on accomplishments in relation to the priorities outlined in the strategic plan and the AOP for the current year.

Updates, and modifications to the strategic plan will be discussed, agreed upon and documented during scheduled meetings.

G. Monitoring/Evaluation

Monitoring and Evaluation will focus on four general questions:

· Is the plan being implemented?

· Are the objectives and priorities realistic and achievable?

· Are the treatments effective in meeting the planned objectives?

· Are the weeds continuing to spread beyond our control actions?

Information as result of specific monitoring of herbicide treatments, bio-control agents, and general weed spread, will be evaluated to answer the three resource questions stated above.

1. Long Term Spread of Weeds:

Monitoring of weed spread and /or suppression will be accomplished through existing database and GIS layer. A focus inventory to re-map infestations will completed in five years to compare with 1997 inventory. Yearly treatment summaries will also be used to assess weed spread.

2. Herbicide Treatment:

Herbicide treatments will be monitored following two general intensity levels.

1. Visual Assessments: Personnel will conduct visual reconnaissance of the treated area after chemical application to determine the presence or absence of target plants, and/or desirable vegetation.

2. Systematic sample: Within selected infestations sample plots will be established to document changes in target plant densities, and species composition and cover of desirable vegetation.

3. Bio-control Agents:

CNWMA will develop and implement monitoring protocols for biological control agents. The partnership will work with qualified professionals to develop specific monitoring techniques that can be effectively applied across the release zones.

Monitoring will determine insect establishment success, insect population trends, insect impact on target plants, and the effect of insect populations on weed population density and spread.

General visual reconnaissance will periodically be completed for target organisms that have been targeted towards specific weeds.

APPENDIX A.

Management Objectives and Priorities by Subbasin

See Page 4 for definitions. (1) Contain between Elk River and Latah County Line, (2) Contain within Lewiston City Limits, (3) Contain from Elk River to Latah/ Clearwater County Line. (4) Focus treatment on high human use areas in coordination with other weed priorities. NOTE: Within any Containment Area, if satellite infestations appear beyond the containment line, the management objective for that outbreak is Eradicate.

APPENDIX B.

Current Weed Inventory

of the Clearwater River Basin

APPENDIX C.

Weed Names

APPENDIX D.

Members Clearwater River Basin Weed Management Area Coordinating Committee