California Noxious and Invasive Weed Action Plan

1. California Noxious and Invasive Weed Action Plan Larry G. Bezark California Department of Food and Agriculture

2. Weed Action Plan • Background • State Action Plan Elements • Executive Summary • Implementation

3. Hand removal Biological control Mowing Grazing Chemical Controlled burning TOOLS IN THE WEED CONTROL TOOLBOX - Each Weed Management area submits a Strategic Plan and a yearly Integrated Weed Management Plan. The plans follow an integrated approach to weed management, choosing the appropriate combination of control technologies, revegatation and monitoring protocols In 2003 The California Department of Food and Agriculture was approached by the California Invasive Weed Awareness Coalition - CalIWAC) to take a lead in producing the Weed Action Plan. CalIWAC is a broad coalition of non-governmental groups including: • CA Cattlemen’s Association • CA Farm Bureau Federation • CA Native Plant Association • The Nature Conservancy • CA Invasive Plant Council • Regional Council of Rural • Counties • CA Forest Pest Council • Monsanto • Dow Agro Sciences • CA Ag Commissioners & Sealers Association

4. Hand removal Biological control Mowing Grazing Chemical Controlled burning TOOLS IN THE WEED CONTROL TOOLBOX - Each Weed Management area submits a Strategic Plan and a yearly Integrated Weed Management Plan. The plans follow an integrated approach to weed management, choosing the appropriate combination of control technologies, revegatation and monitoring protocols CDFA organized a steering committee: Mike Boitano Amador County Agriculture Department Diana Brink Bureau of Land Management Nathan Dechoretz CDFA Dr. Joe DiTomaso UC Weed Science Program Sheree Edwards California Department of Transportation Susan Ellis California Department of Fish and Game Andrea Fox California Farm Bureau Federation Dr. Nelroy Jackson Monsanto, National Invasive Species Advisory Committee Doug Johnson California Invasive Plant Council Susan LaGrande California Cattlemen’s Association Bob Pickard CALIWAC Cheri Rohrer United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service

5. Hand removal Biological control Mowing Grazing Chemical Controlled burning TOOLS IN THE WEED CONTROL TOOLBOX - Each Weed Management area submits a Strategic Plan and a yearly Integrated Weed Management Plan. The plans follow an integrated approach to weed management, choosing the appropriate combination of control technologies, revegatation and monitoring protocols A summit was held in Sacramento with over 100 weed experts and stakeholders to assemble actions and needs to go into the first draft.

6. Weed Summit Breakout Group Leaders • Larry Bezark (CDFA) Breakout Group Coordinator • Dr. Lars Anderson (US Department of Agriculture) Research • Stacy Carlson (Marin County Agriculture Department) Leadership and Coordination • Joanna Clines (U.S. Forest Service) Prevention • Nate Dechoretz (CDFA) Early Detection Rapid Response • Dr. Joe DiTomaso (UC Davis) Research

7. Weed Summit Breakout Group Leaders • Jerry Howard (Calaveras County Agriculture Department) Enforcement and Compliance • Doug Johnson (California Invasive Plant Council) Funding and Resources • Carri Pirosko (CDFA) Education and Outreach • Steve Schoenig (CDFA) Mapping and Inventory • Ron Unger (EDAW Consulting) Restoration

8. Hand removal Biological control Mowing Grazing Chemical Controlled burning TOOLS IN THE WEED CONTROL TOOLBOX - Each Weed Management area submits a Strategic Plan and a yearly Integrated Weed Management Plan. The plans follow an integrated approach to weed management, choosing the appropriate combination of control technologies, revegatation and monitoring protocols A series of drafts were released to the public and many experts resulting in the final September 2005 plan

9. Endorsements

11. State Action Plan Elements • Leadership and Coordination • Prevention and Exclusion • Early Detection and Rapid Response • Eradication and Management • Inventory, Monitoring and Evaluation • Restoration • Research • Education and Public Awareness • Funding and Resources • Enforcement and Compliance

12. Each element has four sections: • 1) Background and Current Program • 2) Comprehensive Needs • Blueprint for new resources. • 3) Selected Actions • Blueprint for new actions with current resources.

13. State Action Plan ElementsLeadership and Coordination 1) Comprehensive Needs Elevation of weed issues to political figures Greater level of leadership from CINWCC agencies More coordination among agencies More NGO’s in leadership and coordination roles 2) Selected Actions Formally endorse the weed plan, and designate lead staff for implementation and review of progress Expand CINWCC and coordinate meetings with CaliWAC

14. State Action Plan ElementsPrevention and Exclusion 1) Comprehensive Needs Develop adequate funding for prevention programs Identify entry pathways and perform new pest impact analysis Provide a central clearinghouse for information and boost education Removal of invasive species from nursery trade Develop mandatory or voluntary equipment cleaning measures 2) Selected Actions Restore CDFA and CDA funding to adequate levels Compile weed prevention strategies for the state Establish a nursery weed task force including industry

15. State Action Plan ElementsEarly Detection and Rapid Response 1) Comprehensive Needs Develop a better pest alert system for non-rated weeds. Identify an agency to take lead authority for non-regulatory weeds Garner short-term emergency funds for quick immediate response Develop better detection methods and increase trained detectors. 2) Selected Actions Evaluate and restructure CDFA pest-rating system. Develop response plans for selected high-priority species Develop a pamphlet with pictures for CalIPC Red-Alert and CDFA A-rated weeds and a guide to their identification. Establish an environmental compliance task force and produce a guide for environmental compliance for EDRR weed control by holding a meeting of responsible agencies.

16. State Action Plan ElementsEradication and Management 1) Comprehensive Needs Develop application tools and methods and efficacy information Expand resources and participation for WMA’s and links with others Clarification and streamlining of environmental regulatory processes Coordinated regional approaches and more locally focused programs 2) Selected Actions Increase number of field biologists at state and county levels Develop a weed management handbook and web-based materials Complete inventory of all public and coordinated weed projects Establish guidelines for evaluating WMA successes

17. State Action Plan ElementsInventory, Monitoring and Evaluation 1) Comprehensive Needs Develop funding for digital weed inventories and GIS clearinghouse ID gaps in data and mapping frequency & data collection & storage Tracking of all weed control projects Develop standards for monitoring on public & private property 2) Selected Actions Finalize and update the statewide A-Rated weed inventory annually Hold weed mapping steering committee meetings for coordination Develop distribution maps for important species and put on the web Encourage WMA’s to maintain inventories Form a weed monitoring work group to develop guidelines

18. State Action Plan ElementsRestoration 1) Comprehensive Needs Develop a resource guide for funding restoration activities Document and track sources for good genetic stock Incorporate revegetation component into initial planning Follow-up to prevent weeds from reinvading project areas Designate a statewide revegetation coordinator 2) Selected Actions Develop site-specific lists of genetically appropriate stock for use Develop weed control guide for restoration projects and for habitat restoration following weed control projects

19. State Action Plan ElementsResearch 1) Comprehensive Needs Economic impacts and cost benefits Restoration; characteristics, desirable species, integration Basic biology, biological control, evaluation, mapping Weed detection, systematics, risk assessment, pathways 2) Selected Actions Expand systematics Form a weed research working group Organize workshops to foster cooperation and coordination Develop a database to identify weed research projects

20. State Action Plan ElementsEducation and Public Awareness 1) Comprehensive Needs Develop funding sources and establish a statewide coordinator Develop targeted materials and messages and train field staff Create unified campaign message, standards for education efficacy Develop and maintain a centralized website 2) Selected Actions Promote Weed Awareness Week; strengthen participation Develop a list of target audiences and outreach cooperators Write grants for education infrastructure funding Use existing resources to develop comprehensive website with photos

21. State Action Plan ElementsFunding and Resources 1) Comprehensive Needs Legislation for continuation of WMA’s Funding for rapid response A multi-agency “crosscut” budget Development of relationships with key legislative figures Positioning to acquire Federal funds’ Steady funding for development of biological control agents Staff positions for WMA’s for functions and fundraising Integration between regulatory agency compliance requirements

22. State Action Plan ElementsFunding and Resources 2) Selected Actions Create web-based clearinghouse on granting agencies, and templates Conduct field tours for legislators Support appropriate state and Federal bills Coordinate grass roots efforts Formulate a request to establish a rapid response emergency fund Analyze potential effectiveness of a mil tax on herbicides Coordinate with NRCS to obtain EQIP/WHIP funds for WMA’s Strengthen CaliWAC Funding and Resources committee participation Coordinate with other states to acquire Federal funds for region

23. State Action Plan ElementsEnforcement and Compliance 1) Comprehensive Needs Clear authority for regulation and control of non-noxious species Reduction in sale of invasive ornamentals in nurseries Overall increased awareness of invasive species regulations Improved quarantine and control programs for plant introductions Collaboration between CDFA and partners to update rating system 2) Selected Actions Promote creation of agency authority for non noxious weeds Create task force to address species being sold in the nursery trade Publish a guide for the public explaining CDFA process for listing Review existing state laws for weeds to determine suitability

24. Executive Summary • ·Early detection and rapid response are needed for new infestations. • ·Eradication should be attempted whenever feasible. • ·Lack of funding is a significant constraint. • ·Weed Management Areas have been successful at local weed control, mapping, and education. They must be supported and funded. • ·Economic analysis of weed impacts need to be researched. • ·Forweeds not legally recognized as “noxious,” no lead agency or comprehensive program exists. • ·Communication between regulators and weed biologists needs to improve. Keep environmental compliance from being a barrier to rapid treatment. • ·Thesale of invasive ornamentals through the horticultural trade must be addressed. • ·Mapping is a crucial element of a well-planned control effort. • ·Weed education programs need to be coordinated and enhanced.

25. Executive Summary California has a serious weed problem that is getting worse. However, selected actions have been identified that will immediately be addressed by agencies, groups and individuals to begin doing more with the resources at hand. Furthermore, this plan has identified comprehensive needs that if addressed, will enable some of the most serious impacts from noxious and invasive weeds to be prevented or minimized. Progress in implementing the plan will be evaluated on a yearly basis to ensure its recommendations are fulfilled. Having a plan in place allows CA to compete for Federal funds.

26. Implementation Progress in implementing the plan will be evaluated on a yearly basis to ensure its recommendations are fulfilled. A continuation of the steering committee will monitor, and facilitate, implementation of the plan. The plan will need serious endorsements and directives to their staff by Secretaries, Directors and Managers for the plan to be successful.