WATERSHED VEGETATION MANAGEMENT UPDATE: SCOPE OF WORK. Marin Municipal Water District April 2007

Transcription

1 WATERSHED VEGETATION MANAGEMENT UPDATE: SCOPE OF WORK Marin Municipal Water District April 2007

2 Evening Overview Review of the 1995 Vegetation Management Plan Overview of the update process Focused look at the update Scope of Work Break out into small work groups Summary of work group discussions

3 1995 Plan Goals: Proactively reduce the hazard of uncontrolled wildfires; Preserve the major ecological systems, encourage biodiversity, and protect sensitive species; and Control the spread of invasive species.

4 1995 Plan: Vegetation Management Tools

5 Work Accomplished: Fuel break Construction

6 Work Accomplished: Bio-diversity Studies

7 Work Accomplished: Biodiversity Studies

8 Work Accomplished: Weed Control

9 Lessons Learned: Inter-agency cooperation and public involvement are invaluable. Fuel breaks are permanent features and require cyclical maintenance. Prescribed burning, though a powerful tool, cannot control all weeds in all situations. Weeds are invading and spreading faster than previously thought. Combinations of mowing, prescribed burning, and hand pulling are not providing adequate levels of weed control. Vegetation management costs are higher than originally estimated.

10 Lessons Learned: Mt Tamalpais is a unique and fragile resource.

11 Marin Municipal Water District Watershed Lands Vegetation Management Plan Components: Overall Goals and Objectives Fuel Break Plan Update Biodiversity Management Program Weed control and vegetation management methods assessment Herbicide Use Recommendation (for analysis purpose only) Risk Analysis of the Herbicide Use Recommendations Implementation Alternatives Analysis References CEQA Document

12 Process Participants Milestones Timeline

13 Participants MMWD Board of Directors: General direction to staff and ultimate decision making. MMWD Staff: Project supervision, technical expertise, coordination of public workshops. Consultant (s): Research and plan development, environmental review, participation in public workshops. Advisory Panel: Technical expertise, review of consultant products, participation in public workshops. Public: Advocacy, identification of concerns as well as references, resources, and alternatives. Engagement in workshops, tours, and volunteer events.

14 Advisory Panel Maria Alvarez: Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Plant Ecologist Art Craigmill, PhD: UC Davis, Extension Toxicology Specialist Joe DiTomaso, PhD: UC Davis, Weed Science Program, Extension Specialist Mike and Sally Gale: Chileno Valley Ranch, Organic Farmers Pam Marrone, PhD: Marrone Organics, CEO Debbie Raphael: San Francisco, Toxics Reduction Program Manager Paul Smith: Kentfield Fire Department, Fire Chief Joel Trumbo, PhD: CDFG, Staff Scientist, Pesticide Investigations Unit Suggestions for other panelists are welcome.

15 Public Participation Input is welcome throughout the process and will be submitted to the consultants, to staff, and to the board.

16 Public Participation Workshops: Review of draft consultant products Question/Answer sessions with advisory panelists Watershed Weed Tours Volunteer Events

17 Consultants: Solicited through a Request for Proposals (RFP) Selected with input from advisory panelists Criteria for final selection: Content of proposal Ability to meet terms of contract Approach to public involvement Expertise Biological diversity monitoring and management CEQA compliance Environmental toxicology Human toxicology Integrated Pest Management Weed management in natural areas in the central coast area Wild fire mitigation

18 Consultants already notified of RFP *Baefsky & Associates CH2M Hill Circuit Riders Daar / IPM Consulting Group ESA Garcia and Associates *Laurel Marcus & Associates Leonard Charles & Associates LSA May and Associates NRM Environmental Consulting *Pesticide Research Institutue *Diane Renshaw & Associates Shelterbelt Builders Steven Ash IPM Associates Sycamore Associates Tetra Tech *TRA URS *WRA Suggestions for other consultants who should receive the RFP are welcome. *Contacted after the April 26 th workshop

19 Process: Milestones and Draft Timeline Workshop: Scope of Work April 26, 2007 RFP goes out to consultants May 10, 2007 Proposals evaluated/consultant (s) selected June 11, 2007 Workshop: Wildfire risk reduction and fuel breaks June, 2007 Contract finalized July, 2007 Weed Control tools assessment draft from consultant Sept, 2007 Workshop: Weed Control tools--non-chemical focus Sept 18, 2007

20 Process: Milestones and Draft Timeline (continued) Herbicide Use proposal draft from consultant Oct 1, 2007 Herbicide Use Risk Analysis draft from consultant Oct 30, 2007 Workshop: Weed Control tools chemical focus Nov 15, 2007 Workshop: Biodiversity of MMWD lands January, 2008 Biodiversity Plan draft from consultants February, 2008 Alternative Implementation Strategies draft from consultants March, 2008 Workshop: Alternative Implementation Strategies March, 2008 Board Presentation, action item April, 2008

21 The Scope of Work : Summary (page 1) Fuel Break Plan Biodiversity Management Plan A review of both non-chemical and chemical control methods for weed management Alternative implementation strategies that incorporate the principals of of integrated pest management and the precautionary principal; Preparation of environmental review (CEQA) documents for the approved plan.

22 The Scope of Work: Supporting Materials (page 3) Photo Interpretation Report for the Mt. Tamalpais Watershed. Classification of vegetation associations from the Mount Tamalpais Watershed, Nicasio Reservoir, and Soulajule Reservoir in Marin County California. The Mount Tamalpais Area Vegetation Management Plan/ Appendices/EIR Mt. Tamalpais Watershed Road and Trail Management Plan/EIR Marin Municipal Water District Integrated Pest Management Program Handbook Title 9, Regulations for the Use of Marin Municipal Water District Lands.. Mt. Tamalpais Watershed Management Policies Lagunitas Creek Sediment and Riparian Management Plan. Mt. Tamalpais Watershed Road and Trail Erosion Inventory and Assessment: Erosion Prevention Implementation Plan. Watershed Assessment and Erosion Prevention Planning Project for the Redwood Creek Watershed, Marin County, California. The Sensitive Plant Survey of the Marin Municipal Water District. These materials will be available for download on the web.

23 The Scope of Work: Task A (page 4) Update existing fuel break plan

24 The Scope of Work: Task A (page 4) Update existing fuel break plan Fuel break positioning and overall strategy Stronger emphasis on cyclical fuel break maintenance Interplay between fuel break construction/maintenance, weed dynamics and biodiversity.

25 The Scope of Work: Task B (page 5) Biodiversity Management Plan Recognition that landscapes are dynamic Broad goals for vegetation management Focus on rare plants & sensitive habitats Prioritization, ranking, threat assessment

26 The Scope of Work: Task B (page 5) Biodiversity Management Plan: Address landscape scale change

27 The Scope of Work: Task B: page 5 Biodiversity Management Plan: Invasive Species Ranking and prioritization Thresholds for action

28 The Scope of Work: Task C: Page 6 Review of both non-chemical and chemical control methods for weed and general vegetation management. biological control gel fuel ignition (i.e. terra torching) grazing (including goats, cattle, sheep, and chickens) hand removal hydro-mechanical obliteration Mowing Mulching prescribed burning propane flaming reduced risk herbicides (including conventional products as well as organic and EPA-exempt products) Waipuna hot foam

29 The Scope of Work: Task C (page 6) Review of both non-chemical and chemical control methods for weed and general vegetation management. Literature review Evaluation of efficacy in context of District goals Evaluation of labor requirements and availability Cost estimates

30 The Scope of Work: Task C (page 6) Review of both non-chemical and chemical control methods for weed and general vegetation management. An impact comparison of each control method with regard to: Worker safety Public safety Water quality Air quality Accidental ignition potential Non-target terrestrial and aquatic vegetation Salmonids Amphibians Pollinators Other terrestrial and aquatic fauna Erosion and runoff Soil contamination and soil productivity Environmental persistence Aesthetics

31 The Scope of Work: Task D (page 7) Development of least-toxic herbicide use recommendations for select invasive weeds: Made by a California Department of Pesticide Regulation licensed Pest Control Advisor (PCA); Incorporate the principals of Integrated Pest Management and the Precautionary Principle; The Herbicide Use Recommendations are not intended to serve as an endorsement of chemical weed control. Rather, the details provided in the Use Recommendation are necessary in order to complete the impact comparison specified in Task C.

32 The Scope of Work: Task D (page 7) Development of least-toxic herbicide use recommendations for select invasive weeds: Specify product to be used under specific circumstances Products to be considered include: EPA regulated / conventional herbicides EPA exempt /alternative herbicides Organic herbicides Specify application method, rate, and equipment used Address federal, state, and local regulations Include herbicide-use reduction measures

33 The Scope of Work: Task D (page 7) Development of least-toxic herbicide use recommendations for select invasive weeds: Mitigation measures available to minimize impacts to: Applicators; watershed visitors; District employees; Surface and ground water quality; Salmonids; Amphibians; Pollinators Other aquatic organisms; Non-target terrestrial organisms; Soils; and Adjacent lands

34 The Scope of Work: Task E (page 8) Completion of an independent risk assessment of the Herbicide Use Recommendations: Synthesize peer-reviewed human and ecological toxicology data; Discuss reference materials submitted by the general public prior to July 16, 2007; Complete an Exposure Assessment based on likely use scenarios as well as worst case scenarios; Review and revise mitigation measures; Describe a monitoring program.

35 The Scope of Work: Task F (page 8) Vegetation Management Plan Update and Alternatives Analysis: Update of the goals and objectives; Strategies and prescriptions for meeting the goals and objectives; Identification of current and future challenges with regard to meeting those goals and objectives; Development and Analysis of Alternative Implementation Programs. Describe program focus area and/or targets with regard to the goals and objectives Identify varying restrictions on resources and tools available. Estimate cost and Describe likely outcomes.

36 The Scope of Work: Page Tasks Possible Alternative Implementation Strategies: Alternative A: No change Alternative B: Weed Eradication, No Herbicides Alternative C: Weed Eradication, Herbicides possible Alternative D: Weed containment, No Herbicides Alternative E: Weed containment, Herbicides possible This is a tentative list and is likely to change.

37 The Scope of Work: Task G (page 10) Public Involvement Consultants will: Attend and present at public meetings; Receive copies of all public commentary and submittals; Assist with facilitating the on-going public dialogue.

38 The Scope of Work: Task H (page 10) CEQA