Department of Transportation Integrated Vegetation Management Plan implementation

Transcription

1 15 th Annual Invasive Species Workshop Department of Transportation Integrated Vegetation Management Plan implementation Katrina LeMieux, Environmental Impact Analyst, Northern Region Maintenance and Operations, Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities The Integrated Vegetation Management Plan (IVMP) assists the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOTPF) in managing the vegetation on its lands to improve safety, provide better maintenance services and control invasive plant species. DOTPF intends to use herbicides as a maintenance tool along with nonchemical maintenance and vegetation control measures. While herbicides may be an efficient and effective tool for managing vegetation, herbicide selection and use must be done in an environmentally responsible manner. DOTPF worked closely with the Alaska Department of Natural Resources Alaska Plant Materials Center and the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service agriculture program to select herbicides that minimize potential risks to human health and the environment. Any use of herbicides on DOTPF-managed lands must be in full compliance with Chapter 18, Section 90 of the Alaska Administrative Code and must follow the IVMP process. DOTPF is currently working to further clarify the IVMP process internally for staff and externally for non-dotpf personnel that are interested in applying herbicides in the right-of-way to control the spread of invasive species. Collaboration and coordination among interested parties is necessary for the success of the IVMP program and slowing the spread of invasive species.

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3 Vegetation Management Facts 5,600 centerline miles of roadway Cut over 10,000 lane miles per year Current annual cost is $4M statewide 2

4 Why Manage Roadside Vegetation? 3

5 Why Manage Roadside Vegetation? 4

6 Why Manage Roadside Vegetation? 5

7 Why Manage Roadside Vegetation? Prevent degradation of facilities 6

8 Why Manage Roadside Vegetation? 7

9 Why Manage Roadside Vegetation? Noxious and Invasive Weed Control 8

10 DOTPF Best Management Practices to Avoid the Spread of Invasives Equipment cleaning Native/non-invasive revegetation Avoiding contaminated areas Working from uninfested to infested areas Coordinating with local groups Timing mowing (if possible) Using certified weed-free materials Scouting for invasive plants Recording and reporting invasive plants 9

11 ADEC Regulation Change New regulations became effective on March 7, 2013 Eliminated the requirement for pesticide-use permits for most applications on state-owned lands State agencies required to develop/implement an Integrated Pest Management Plan (IPM Plan) 10

12 DOTPF s IVMP Integrated Vegetation Management Plan The DOTPF IVMP is a type of IPM Plan Covers public rights-of-way, airports, and other lands and facilities owned or leased by DOTPF 11

13 DOTPF s IVMP Effective dates for current version: 4/2014 4/

14 IVMP GOAL DOTPF s primary goal for vegetation management is to: > Improve public safety > Protect infrastructure 13

15 IVMP Vegetation Control Methods Preventative Mechanical Chemical 14

16 IVMP Vegetation Control Mechanical = the primary method of vegetation management for DOTPF Herbicide use is a valuable tool Use will be limited, selective, and targeted Important tool for controlling invasive species 15

17 DOTPF IVMP Herbicides Aquamaster* (Glyphosate) RoundUp Ready-to-Use Weed and Grass Killer III (Glyphosate) Habitat* (Imazapyr) Garlon 3A, 4, and 4 Ultra (Triclopyr) Milestone (Aminopyralid) Transline (Clopyralid) Escalade 2 (2, 4-D, Floroxpyr, Dicamba) Escort XP (Metsulfuron methyl) Telar XP (Chlorsulfuron) 16

18 Aquatic Considerations APDES Pesticide General Permit and Pesticide Use Permit are required for application to aquatic areas For now, DOTPF will limit its applications to non-aquatic locations 17

19 Certified Applicator Training Required All applications must be conducted by a person who has a valid Certified Pesticide Applicator s license 18

20 IVMP Partnering Opportunities Although written for Maintenance & Operations, the IVMP applies to anyone working in the DOTPF Right-of-Way 19

21 Projects We Have Coordinated On Northern Region: Boundary Airport Alaska Hwy applications performed for DOTPF by Salcha-Delta Soil & Water Conservation District Copper River Hwy (Copper River Watershed Project) Central Region: Anchorage Area (DNR) Southeast Region: Glacier Hwy (Southeast Alaska Soil & Water Conservation District) 20

22 IVMP Program Development DOTPF is working to make the IVMP more user-friendly Working in-house to clarify regional processes Creating a step-by-step guide Website Development Clarifying forms 21

23 Steps Involved in IVMP User Process Choose the Best Tool Consider the most appropriate tool for vegetation management, including non-chemical maintenance measures. If herbicide is to be used, choose the one that will be most effective from Table 1 of the IVMP. 22

24 Steps Involved in IVMP User Process Make a Plan Consider the potential costs associated with your project, the personnel you will have and/or work with to complete the task. Create a timeline that accounts for agency and public coordination that is required per the IVMP. Create a map or Google Earth view and outline the project site(s) to provide to DOTPF personnel. 23

25 Steps Involved in IVMP User Process Communicate Contact DOTPF personnel in your region as soon as you have a tentative plan (note, the project plan doesn t have to be complete and the earlier your coordinate the better). 24

26 DOTPF Regions Yellow = Northern Blue = Central Green = Southeast Northern/Central Region Boundaries = MP 163 Parks Highway MP 178 Glenn Highway 25

27 Steps Involved in IVMP User Process DOTPF Involvement Pre-Application Checklist Conduct a site visit Coordinate with DOTPF personnel early 26

28 Steps Involved in IVMP User Process ROW and Traffic Lane Closure Permit which provides you with permission to work in the right-of-way. As part of the Lane Closure Permit application, you will be asked to submit a Traffic Control Plan. 27

29 Steps Involved in IVMP User Process Notification Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation no later than 15 days prior to the date of any application and the public *Notification is a requirement by the Alaska Administrative Code (18 AAC (b)). 28

30 IVMP Public Notice Process TWO, consecutive public notices must be published in a newspaper of general circulation. The second/final notice must be circulated no later than 30 days prior to the day of any application 29

31 IVMP Steps Item Herbicide chosen from Table 1 of the IVMP DOTPF Involvement, including site visit Lane Closure Permit Traffic Control Plan Two Consecutive 30-day Public Notifications with the second notification at least 30 days prior, per notification requirements DEC Notification, at least 15 days prior, per notification requirements Pre-Application Checklist submitted to DOTPF Post-Application Checklist submitted to DOTPF Have the Post-Application Checklist onsite as it will need to be filled out starting at the time of the treatment. 30

32 The IVMP Future Additional program and website development Interagency/organization cooperation in addressing vegetation management statewide 31

33 The IVMP Future 32