Pollinator Strategy for Ohio DOT

Transcription

1 Ohio Department of Transportation John R. Kasich, Governor Jerry Wray, Director Pollinator Strategy for Ohio DOT Scott Lucas Ohio Department of Transportation Division of Operations, Office of Maintenance Operation 1

2 Why Create Pollinator Habitat Why did we want to create pollinator habitat? Monarch and honey bee population reduction Save money by reducing mowing Support the White House Strategy directive Support guidance in New Highway Bill 2

3 Planning Pollinator Habitat Creating our plan Reduction in mowing on back slope and bench Spot spraying noxious and invasive weeds Planting pollinator habitat 3

4 Location Sites Work with other office to reduce conflicts Planning and Engineering County Manager Office of Environmental Services 4

5 Not everyone is on board Perceived Issues More flowers along the road equals more pollinator vehicle impacts Pollinator habitats look unkempt and will generate complaints If we create pollinator habitats, we will restrict our ability to maintain the right-of-way 5

6 How do we resolve the issues? Create an answer list to frequently asked questions Create a script for PIOs to answer question of what we are doing and why Work with regulatory agencies, create buy so you are not penalized for doing a good thing Seek out those who know more about the issues than yourself, create partnerships 6

7 Creating and Improving Pollinator Habitat in the State of Ohio 7

8 Ohio Pollinator Habitat Initiative ODOT partnered with others to form OPHI The goal of the group is, Creating and improving pollinator habitat in the state of Ohio Moto: All you can, where you can 8

9 Pheasants Forever Ohio Division of Wildlife Creating Partnerships US Fish and Wildlife Service Ohio Department of Agriculture Dawes Arboretum Various Soil and Water Conservation Districts 9

10 ODOT - Federal Highway Bill 10

11 One of the first partnerships was between ODNR, Pheasants Forever and ODOT in Darke County Discussion and planning began in Planting of the site started in 2013 on US 36 The sites totaled approximately 29 acres Dark County Project 11

12 Ross County Project The project began as an OCPM project in Ross County on SR 207 by the county fairgrounds The project has done very well and is being reviewed as a model for future projects. 12

13 Fairfield County US 33 & Coonpath Rd. and I-71 & SR 13 Partners included the Dawes Arboretum, Fairfield County Soil and Water Conservation District and ODOT Planted in Spring of 2015 Five more counties will be included this fall. 13

14 Licking, Auglaize and Hamilton Counties St. Rt. 13 & I-70 Interchange 1.3 acres of native pollinator mixed grass/forb planting drilled on over-wide roadside 200 ac recently agreed on in ODOT District 1 region (NW Ohio). 14

15 Preble County US Rt 127 Preble County - Prepped and seeded 2015 in collaboration with: ODNR, Pheasants Forever and ODOT. One season of monitoring has occurred. Additional collaboration to continue. 15

16 Allen County I-75 at US 30 in field/exit ramp Allen county in collaboration with: ODNR, Pheasants Forever and ODOT. Site prep planned for

17 Wyandot County US 30 and US 23 Interchange Wyandot county in collaboration with: ODNR, Pheasants Forever and ODOT. Site prep planned for

18 Defiance County US 24 and SR 424 Defiance county in collaboration with: ODNR, Pheasants Forever and ODOT. Site prep planned for

19 The project was started in partnership with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitations and Corrections The main focus of the planting was along the I-71 corridor from Lake Erie to the Ohio River. Over 30 acres of plantings in 12 counties. Sun Flowers 2014 &

20 Future of the Ohio Pollinator Habitat Initiative Expansion of partners Mapping sites Reviewing different control methods Add additional sites Establishment contracts The group is developing a network of experts to provide guidance and advise on preparing, planting, establishing and maintaining pollinator sites. 20

21 Opportunity Areas CRP, WRP Roads, Railroads, ROW s Schools, churches, businesses Parks, golf courses, cemeteries Prisons airports, fairgrounds Backyards More! 21

22 Thank you for your time. 22