Santa Barbara County Weed Management Area

News

2006 New Format for News   Water hyacinth in Carpinteria Creek   2005 Commercial Harvesting of Arundo   BLM Draft EIS Comment Period   New Rating for Nursery Stock Plants   National Invasive Weed Awareness Week   Arundo Projects Get On WRP Work Plan   California Invasive Weeds Awareness Week   Urban Streams Restoration Grant Application Rejected   TAdN Adding Contractors to List of Resources   Carla D'Antonio Joins UCSB Faculty   Pest Management and Fire Suppression Flexibility Act   Santa Cruz Island Weed Control Project Awarded $4,500 NFWF Grant   Punagrass Infestation Treated   Artichoke Thistle Infestation Treated   YST Rust Expresses Itself at Release Site   Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Seeks Horticulture Intern   Ojai Valley Land Conservancy seeks a Resource Project Manager   APHIS Seeks Comment on Proposed Rule Revision   SBCWMA denied USFS grant   SBCWMA awarded NAWCA grant   2nd Year YST Rust Release   Job Opening -SRS Tech   IPMNet Outreach   US EPA Issues Interpretive Statement on CWA   SBCWMA Newsletter   2004 Clopyralid restrictions on turf/lawns proposed   Adaptive Watershed Improvement Grant Awarded   Invasive Weeds Day in Sacramento   Perennial Sowthistle Discovered in Lompoc   David Chang elected to Cal-IPC Board   Noxious Weed Control Act Signed by the President   CEQA Revisions to Benefit Habitat Restoration   Restoration Survey   New Hydrilla Find   6th WMA Meeting   New Federal Bill Proposes Invasive Species Funding   Bill to Create Invasive Species Council Passed by the Assembly   Weed Photo Contest   S.144 Mark-Up   YST Rust Released in Santa Barbara County   S144 Subcommittee Hearings   Proposition 50: Input Requested on Funding Priorities   Pesticide Restrictions for Salmon Streams   Latest Noxious Weed List   Recap of Invasive Weed Day   SB 1226 Machado to carry bill to name Nassella pulchra as California State Grass   Invasive Weed Day in Sacramento   Global Invasive Species Information Network   National Ag Library Looking for Success Stories   Carpinteria Creek Watershed Coalition Public Meeting   YST Video on GATV   2003 Survey on Wildfire & Non-native Plants   Noxious Weeds Rating Changes (water hyacinth)   Cal-IPC Membership Drive   Adopt-A-Riverway Bill Signed by Gov. Davis   Bush Proposes Changes to NEPA   Ecovisions Appeal for Donations to Complete English Ivy Video   Santa Barbara County Ag Dept Rejects St. John's Wort found on Sale at local nursery.   Hydrilla Found in Shipment from Florida   Weeds Added to CCR Noxious Weed List   YST Rust Released in Napa County   SBCWMA Receives NFWF PTI and PFW Grant   U.S. EPA Issues Statement on NPDES Permit   Army Corps to Renew Permit to Remove Exotic Weeds   Signups Begin for USDA Grassland Reserve Program   ARS Studying Flea Beetle for YST Control   GAO Release Report on Invasive Species   SBCWMA Receives Private Stewardship Grant   CALIWAC Announces California Weed Awareness Week   SBCWMA Arundo Removal Project Starts   SBCWMA Receives Wetland Recovery Project Grant   CalFlora is Back   Yellow Starthistle Economic Impact Survey   New Brochure Highlights Restoration Funded by Salmon Stamp   New Newsletter on Plants in Conservation   Nevada Regulates Fountain Grass as a Noxious Weed   OSH & Home Depot Stop Sales of Sweet Broom & Pampas Grass   Green Academy Receives Grant   Kids in Nature Program Receives Award   Petition to Outlaw Caulerpa taxifolia   New Reference on Invasive Weeds   Cape Ivy Biological Control Progress Report   CalIWAC Meeting   Noxious Weed Control Act of 2003   Kikuyu Grass Proposed for Deregulation   US EPA Issues Pesticide Safety and Security Alert   WMA Leadership Council   UC Davis Student Looking for Weeds to Study   CalFlora in Danger of Shutting Down   CalEPPC Starts Electronic Forum   2002 Budget Cuts Hit Weed Programs Hardest   SBCWMA Is Awarded CREF Grant   WalMart Discontinues Sale of Pampas Grass   Bitterroot Restoration Native Plant Sale   Santa Cruz Island Project PTI Grant Request   Wetlands Recovery Project Online Calendar   Wetlands Recovery Project Recognizes Darlene Chirman   Elings Park Project CREF Grant Request   Noxious Weed Control Act of 2002   YST Control Cost Share Project PTI Grant Award   CDFA Tours "A" Rated Weed Infested Sites   Noxious Weed List Additions   Arroyo Burro Creek Project PFW Grant Award

New Format for News 6/14/06 News about noxious and invasive weeds have been delivered monthly by email to a list of subscribers since October 2005. Those newsletters will now be stored on this website. Click here to access the newsletters. . If you would like to subscribe to the newsletter, click here, to send an email to dchang@co.santa-barbara.ca.us and place "Subscribe SBCWMA News" in the subject line.   Water Hyacinth Found in Carpinteria Creek 01/04/06 The Santa Barbara County Weed Management Area announces that Eichhornia crassipes, water hyacinth was found during a noxious plant survey of Carpinteria Creek. Water hyacinth is designated a noxious and invasive weed, even though it is still available for purchase. . Water hyacinth produces beautiful flowers, which leads to its popular use in garden ponds. It is also occasionally used in the treatment of waste water. But its beautiful flowers belie its weedy nature. It is considered one of the world's worst weeds. . Dense patches of water hyacinth prevent sunlight and oxygen from getting into the water, exclude other aquatic plants, block access by waterfowl to open water, block boat traffic, prevent recreation, plug water pumps, create ideal conditions for mosquitoes, degrade fish habitat and potentially cause local flooding. . Water hyacinth grows extremely fast - populations can double in as little as 5 days. It reproduces by seed and vegetatively from stolons. In one study, two plants were shown to produce over 1,200 daughter plants in just four months. One plant can produce over 5,000 seeds. Natural dispersal is aided when seeds stick to the feet and feathers of waterfowl. "We may have dodged a bullet. We found only non-flowering plants and no seedlings." said Darlene Chirman, a biological consultant who participated in the plant survey and made the initial discovery, "We collected and removed all the plants we found in the creek." . It prefers to grow in fresh water, not tolerating salinity greater than 1.6%. "Eichhornia could establish itself in the quieter pools of Carpinteria Creek, just the spot where steelhead and trout seek refuge during the drier summer months." said David Chang, coordinator for the County of Santa Barbara's Weed Management Area. . How the plants got into Carpinteria Creek is a mystery. "I suspect this is another example of people, intentionally or accidentally, releasing unwanted pets or plants into the wild." said Mr. Chang, "The plants or pets like living here, and before you know it, their progeny establish themselves and become serious pests." . Water hyacinth can be found wild in creeks, rivers, and canals of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys and in Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego Counties. There are no known established wild populations in the creeks or rivers of Santa Barbara County. "With continued surveillance, we hope to prevent water hyacinth from gaining a foothold in Carpinteria Creek. Please help by properly disposing of unwanted pets and plants." said Mr. Chang, "If you spot water hyacinth in the wild, let us know. Contact the Agricultural Commissioner's Office at (805) 681-5600." . Addendum 1/13/06 I’ve since learned that water hyacinth was previously found and hopefully eradicated from Carpinteria Creek, Lake Los Carneros, and Laguna Creek, and is established in the reservoirs at La Purisima Mission. I will be taking a look at the La Purisima Mission. I hope that they are not growing it intentionally and would like to have it removed. I also have a report that it was seen in Sycamore Creek in 2005. . Commercial Harvesting of Arundo Available 11/30/05 Rico International, a company that manufactures reeds for musical instruments, is seeking additional sources of Arundo canes (from which it makes the reeds). The company can either arrange to remove cut canes from eradication sites, or can cut them down for you. This company has a good track record, and has been helpful in removing cane material at a Ventura County Arundo control site. They do not intend to promote Arundo production in our ecosystems, desiring solely to collect good quality canes in currently infested sites. For more information, contact Luis Hurtado directly. Luis Hurtado, Logistics Manager; Rico International; 8484 San Fernando Road; Sun Valley, CA 91722; 818-394-2734; Luis.Hurtado(:at:)DADDARIO.COM; www.ricoreeds.com . Before working with any commercial user of Arundo, consider adopting Team Arundo del Norte's Commercial-Use Policy. That policy is available at: teamarundo.org/control_manage/commercial_use.html . . Comment Period Open for Draft EIS on Vegetation Management on BLM lands. 11/14/05 The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) addressing vegetation treatment on BLM lands. The public comment period for the EIS is currently under way and closes on January 9, 2006. The draft EIS can be viewed at: www.blm.gov/nhp/spotlight/VegEIS/ . Management alternatives described in the DEIS are: o Alternative A: No change from current EIS o Alternative B: Expand herbicide use and allow for use of new herbicides in 17 western states o Alternative C: No use of herbicides o Alternative D: Alternative B without aerial application of herbicides o Alternative E: No use of present or future AHAS inhibitor herbicide . Comments will be accepted until January 9, 2006 and can be mailed, faxed or emailed to: Brian Amme; Vegetation EIS Project Manager, BLM; P.O. Box 12000; Reno, Nevada 89520-0006; Fax: (775) 861-6712; vegeis(:at:)nv.blm.gov. Comments can also be made in person at 10 public meetings. To view the public meetings schedule visit www.blm.gov/nhp/spotlight/VegEIS/Meeting_Schedule-Final-11-03-05R.pdf. . New Regulatory Rating for Plants Sold as Nursery Stock 11/4/05 A CDFA/CACASA* Pest Rating Working Group has been formed to review the current pest rating policies and make recommendations for process improvement. Its mission is: Collaborative and continuous improvement of a useful and practical pest rating system that is flexible, uniform, responsive, risk-based, and provides clear direction. This team has met twice and has developed a rating policy for previously unrated plants that are being sold as nursery stock. This policy was approved by CACASA at the Winter Conference. The policy is stated in Pest Rating Advisory Number 1-2005 and can be viewed at: http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/countyag/postings/files/PEST_RATING_ADVI.pdf . The policy creates the "H" designation when an unrated plant found in a nursery is submitted to CDFA's Plant Pest Diagnostic Center and the identifying taxonomist has reason to believe that the species exhibits weedy characteristics. The "H" represents a temporary hold action. Plants so rated will undergo evaluation to a more permanent rating of A, B, C, or D within 30 days. This "H" rating is an additional rating to allow holding a plant without requiring treatment, as is required when a "Q" rating is given. Previously, the Q rating was the only temporary rating available. . *CDFA = California Department of Food and Agriculture. CACASA = California Agricultural Commissioners and Sealers Association. . National Invasive Weed Awareness Week October 10, 2005 The 7th Annual National Invasive Weeds Awareness Week (NIWAW 7) will be held in Washington D.C. the week of February 26th to March 3rd, 2006 to bring people and groups from across the country together to focus national attention on the severe problems created by invasive weeds. Individuals and organizations interested in this issue are invited to participate in the event and help build on the success of NIWAW activities in previous years. NIWAW 7 events are designed to focus on the important roles the Federal government must play to help the U.S. deal with invasive weed problems. Time for attendees to meet with their Congressional delegations, federal agencies, and each other has been scheduled. For more information visit the NIWAW 7 website at: www.nawma.org/niwaw/niwaw_index.htm . Arundo Removal Projects Get Placed on WRP Work Plan August 9,2005 The SBCWMA's arundo removal project proposals on Arroyo Burro Creek and Carpinteria Creek have been added to the Wetlands Recovery Project's 2005 - 2007 Work Plan. The Work Plan is used by the Coastal Conservancy and the Wildlife Conservation Board to identify and prioritize eligible projects to receive grant funding. The WRP received 31 proposals and added 19 of them to the Work Plan. . California Invasive Weeds Awareness Week: July 18-24, 2005 California Invasive Weeds Awareness Week is scheduled for July 18-24, 2005! You are encouraged to get the word out during California Invasive Weeds Awareness Week (CIWAW) that great invasive weed work is happening locally and around the state. . In Santa Barbara County, five different educational programs on invasive weeds - arundo, brooms, pampas grass, yellow starthistle, and plant invaders - will be shown on the county's government access TV channel 20, during July in acknowledgement of California Invasive Weeds Awareness Week. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about some of the invasive weed problems, and how to control the weeds, that occur in California. The schedule is posted at http://www.gscares.com/GATV/programSchedule.asp. (Unfortunately I've found that this schedule is not exactly accurate. Only one of the videos is listed, yet I've seen the arundo video at an unlisted time.) . The California Invasive Weeds Awareness Coalition (CALIWAC) has produced an 11”X17”, full color “Invasive Plants – Not a Pretty Picture” poster. The posters are available from Cal-IPC and local libraries in Santa Barbara County have been asked to display the poster. In addition, ideas to increase outreach and educational efforts has been posted on the California Invasive Plant Council website at www.cal-ipc.org. . Urban Streams Restoration Grant Application Rejected June 16, 2005 The SBCWMA applied for an Urban Streams Restoration Program (Prop 40) grant, for $89,350, to continue an arundo removal project on Arroyo Burro Creek, primarily in the vicinity of the Stonecreek condominium complex. Unfortunately, the competition was tough and the application was denied. Successful applications are listed at www.watershedrestoration.water.ca.gov/urbanstreams. . TAdN Adding Contractors to List of Resources May 31, 2005 Team Arundo del Norte is compiling a list of contractors in northern and central California who do weed removal for a variety of invasives (not just Arundo) and revegetation work. Periodically they receive requests for such a list. . If you would like to be added to the list, please send your company name, contact person, address, phone, email, a description of the services you provide, and the geographical area you cover, to the Sonoma Ecology Center; P.O. Box 1486; Eldridge, CA 95431; 707-996-0712, ext. 104 (Tue., Thu.); Fax: 707-996-2452; arundo@comcast.net. . Carla D'Antonio Joins UCSB's faculty May 13, 2005 The University of California at Santa Barbara recently hired Carla D'Antonio as the Schuyler Endowed Chair and a Professor in Environmental Studies. Carla is a leader in the field of conservation biology and has published many significant papers on invasive weeds. Her inaugural lecture on May 13, 2005 was titled "Invasive Species in the Landscape: Merging the Science of Invasion Processes with Management Needs." Her current research topics include controls over biological invasions by non-indigenous plant species; feedback between population and ecosystem processes in plants; plant effects on soil resources; and processes controlling plant population dynamics particularly of non-native plants. . Carla also brings her husband, Tom Dudley, to Santa Barbara County. Before coming to Santa Barbara, Tom was on the research faculty at the University of Nevada at Reno conducting research on invasive weeds. He was also a past member of board of directors of the California Invasive Plant Council. . The Santa Barbara County Weed Management Area welcomes Carla and Tom to Santa Barbara County. . Congress Considers Pest Management and Fire Suppression Flexibility Act May 1, 2005 Congress is considering amendments, HR 1749, to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to allow the activities below without permits being required by states or other entities. This is an effort to overcome the Talent decision's effect of requiring NPDES permits for aquatic treatment even when using an herbicide registered for that use. . If passed, the amendment would affirm that NPDES permits would not be needed for: (1) the proper use of a pesticide that is registered or otherwise approved for use under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act; (2) the use by or in cooperation with the Federal or State government of a fire retardant, chemical, or water for fire suppression, control, or prevention in accordance with relevant Federal guidelines; (3) silvicultural activities except for specified point source activities; and (4) the use of biological control organisms for the prevention, control, or eradication of plant pests or noxious weeds pursuant to specified provisions of the Plant Protection Act. . For more information, visit: http://thomas.loc.gov/home/thomas.html and search on "1749". . Santa Cruz Island Weed Control Project Awarded $4,500 May 24, 2005 The Santa Cruz Island Weed Control Project has been awarded $4,500 by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Pulling Together Initiative. The award came from the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) who is expected to request that control is targeted at federally rated noxious weeds that occur on the island. This award is considerably less than what was requested. The previous NFWF project is nearly complete. We are also now working on invasive trees under a US Fish & Wildlife grant. . Punagrass Infestation Treated May 24, 2005 An infestation of punagrass, Acnatherum brachychaetum, an "A" rated noxious weed, located on a horse ranch on Happy Canyon Road in Santa Ynez was treated with 2% Roundup Pro Concentrate by The Valley Gardner. Eradication of this weed was attempted in 1985 but abandoned when the CDFA stopped assisting. . Santa Ynez Valley area landowners and ranchers are advised to be on the lookout for this particularly weedy grass. Punagrass is a tough, spikey bunchgrass that interferes with harvest machinery (in alfalfa) and that horses and cattle find unpalatable. Punagrass can be distinguished from other bunchgrasses by the production of cleistogamous seeds within the sheaths of the leaf base. For more information, visit the punagrass alert page. . Artichoke Thistle Infestation Treated May 24, 2005 An infestation of artichoke thistle, Cynara cardunculus, a "B" rated noxious weed, located just north of Arroyo Hondo Preserve along Highway 101 was treated with 2% Roundup Pro Concentrate by Agri-Turf Supplies. This infestation was targeted by the Weed Management Area in 2001, but permission to treat was only just obtained this year, after lobbying of the out-of-state landowner by local ranchers and farmers. Luckily, funds were available within the Santa Barbara Agricultural Commissioner's budget to conduct the treatment. . The infested area increased from approximately 3.85 acres to 5.78 acres - a 50% increase in 3 years. The patches have increased in density. Gaviota area landowners are advised to watch out for this particularly nasty weed. For more information, visit the artichoke thistle alert page . YST Rust Expresses Itself at Release Site April 21, 2005 The biological control agent of yellow starthistle, Puccinia jaceae var. solstitialis that was released on East Camino Cielo on March 14, 2005 has infected the yellow starthistle at the release site. We estimate that about 50% of the plants were infected. We didn't see any spread of the rust outside of the initial relese sites at this site or the first release site, but it is still early. The picture at right shows pustules caused by the rust. Infection inhibits the growth of yellow starthistle. The rust only infects and causes problems for yellow starthistle. It can infect bachelor buttons, but does not impact their growth. It is hoped that since this rust attacks the foliage of YST that it will become an important component of the biological control agents that are established that only attack the seeds. . Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Seeks Horticulture Intern April 15, 2005 The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden has a position open for a Horticulture Intern (This job description was posted on CalWeedJobs on April 15th, 2005. The post did not include a closing date.) The position is a part-time paid internship. Salary range: $9.00/hour. . -Qualifications- Internships are awarded to students enrolled in an academic program in the plant or environmental sciences. Interns must have had at least 3 semesters of formal instruction in introductory horticulture that includes: fundamentals of plant physiology, identification and basic horticultural techniques. Interns must have good organization skills, show initiative, and be able to work independently on assigned projects. Some computer skills are desirable for the collections management discipline. . -Description- Horticulture program internships at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden are designed to provide college students with a rewarding and challenging experience in the ongoing horticulture and curatorial activities unique to a botanic garden. Interns may work with staff members in nursery production, collections management, landscape display and/or special projects. Interns will gain direct experience in strengthening their horticulture skills, learn the fundamentals of curating living collections, and will broaden their knowledge of the California flora, particularly methods employed in cultivation. This internship (up to 300 hours) allows for flexible scheduling; with a minimum requirement of 3 hours/day and 15/hours per week. . Ojai Valley Land Conservancy seeks a Resource Project Manager April 15, 2005 The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy is seeking qualified applicants for a full-time, management level position as Resource Project Manager. The job responsibilities will include project management of certain OVLC habitat restoration and resource protection projects and grants, as well as overseeing and coordinating those efforts through Conservancy volunteers, staff, contractors, and board members. . The OVLC is one of the premier nonprofit land conservation organizations in Southern California. With a membership of 1,100 members and a strong staff and board of directors, the Conservancy now protects almost 2,000 acres of habitat and open space along or near the Ventura River and offers an extensive program of recreational and educational community opportunities to visitors and residents of the Ojai Valley. . Applicants for the position should have a substantial natural resource or environmental science background, including at least a bachelor’s degree in biology, environmental science, or other natural resource management discipline; demonstrated experience in project documentation, management and environmental permitting; and a strong personal commitment to open space protection. For more information on the position, the OVLC, and details on how to apply, please visit the OVLC’s website at http://www.ovlc.org/news.asp. And note that while that posting specifies that resumes must be submitted by April 8, the OVLC is continuing to accept applications and resumes during all of April. . APHIS Seeks Comment on Proposed Rules Revisions on Nursery Stock Imports March 28, 2005 APHIS is soliciting comments on whether and how they should amend the regulations that govern the importation of nursery stock, also known as plants for planting. A detailed background and justification for consideration of the changes is included in the notice. APHIS seeks comment on 5 measures they believe will provide a more appropriate level of protection against the risk of introduction of quarantine pests via imported plants for planting than the current regulations provide. They are: 1. Collect data on the current importation of taxa of plants for planting 2. Establish a new category for certain taxa of plants for planting that would be excluded from importation pending pest risk evaluation and approval 3. Establishing programs to reduce the risk of importation and establishment of quarantine pests 4. Combining existing regulations 5. Reevaluating taxa whose importation is currently prohibited The full notice is available at: http://docket.epa.gov/edkfed/do/EDKStaffCollectionDetailView?objectId=0b0007d4804fb613   Perhaps, the most significant proposal is the creation of a new category for nursery stock imports - prohibited pending pest risk assessment. (See the notice for the categories that are currently applied.) Plants that are already being imported in significant numbers will be "presumed to be safe" and would be allowed in under the current restrictions. APHIS is requesting comment on three options to implement this proposed rule: Option 1.) All new taxa requested for import would be placed in the new category - prohibited pending pest risk assessment. Or 2.) Prohibit, pending pest risk assessment, only those taxa of plants which are known in the literature to be problematic, and loosen the requirements to document a problem, to include any scientific literature or international database. Or 3.) a combination of the options. The comment period has been extended to April 11, 2005. . SBCWMA Denied USFS Grant March 28, 2005 The US Forest Service recently announced, through the California Department of Food & Agriculture, the grants awarded from their January 2005 Call for Work Plan Proposals for the Prevention, Early Detection, and Eradication of Noxious Weeds in Northern and Central California. The Santa Barbara County Weed Management was not one of the counties awarded a grant. The SBCWMA submitted three separate proposals - artichoke thistle control on the Gaviota Coast, tamarisk control in the Los Padres National Forest, and punagrass control in the Happy Canyon area of Santa Ynez. . SBCWMA Awarded NAWCA Grant March 28, 2005 The Santa Barbara County Weed Management Area has been awarded $36,600 for the control on Arundo donax on Carpinteria Creek by the North American Wetlands Conservation Act grant program administered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. This adds to an amount already awarded by the California Dept of Fish and Game, to give a new total of $79,100. The SBCWMA is participating in a coalition of agencies, the Carpinteria Creek Watershed Coalition, that is conducting voluntary projects that help to rehabilitate Carpinteria Creek by stabilizing streambanks, controlling invasive weeds, revegetating banks with local native plants and removing barriers for fish passage. For more information about the coalition visit http://www.carpinteriacreek.org . 2nd Year Release of Puccinia jaceae var solstitialis March 28, 2005 A biological control agent of yellow starthistle, Puccinia jaceae var. solstitialis was released on East Camino Cielo on March 14, 2005. This is the second release of the rust fungus. The rust is an autoecious (infects only one host), obligate parasite of yellow starthistle that attacks the stems and leaves of YST. Last year's release was made in the Upper Oso area of the Los Padres National Forest. We have yet to discover if the fungus has overwintered from last year's release, but results from other sites in the state are encouraging. One site in Yolo County has seen a significant reduction in the density of yellow starthistle - zero plants in 2004. Pesticide Application Technician Needed February 1, 2005 One position beginning ASAP for the eradication efforts of Jubata grass on Vandenberg AFB, located in Santa Barbara County near Santa Maria and Lompoc. Duties include applying Roundup Pro to jubata grass, some physical removal, mapping and monitoring of treated areas, and equipment maintenance. Scheduling is somewhat flexible at approximately 30-55 hrs a week; mornings will begin at 7am. Truck mounted spray tanks and backpack sprayers will be used. Training and applicator certificate fees will be provided for non-certified pesticide applicator holders. . Applicants must: -be a US citizen, -have reliable personal transportation, -California driver's license, -be in good physical condition, able to carry backpack sprayer, -have a good sense of direction, -be self motivated, -able to take meticulous field notes, -able to read topographical maps as well as aerial photos, . Compensation: Hourly rate is $10-12/hr for a non-certified pesticide applicator. For certified persons rate is negotiable. . Please email resume to Regina Butala at SRS Technologies, regina.butala@VAFB.SRS.com . IPMNet Outreach February 1, 2005 IPMnet is an electronic (only) Integrated Pest Management information resource specifically focused on contemporary, economic, environmentally aware approaches to managing/controlling weed, pathogen, insect, nematode, and vertebrate pests in crops and amenity plantings, as well as preventing or containing invasive crop-related species. IPMNet inivites subscription to IPMnet NEWS. The NEWS is designed to provide very brief, timely, multi-disciplinary, "news-you-can-use" (but no paid advertisements) to all concerned with IPM and crop pest and invading species management topics, such as: * development * field implementation * research * extension/adoption * policy * impact/socio-economics. For a free subscription, to request a sample newsletter or for more information send an email to IPMnet@science.oregonstate.edu or visit their website at http://www.ipmnet.org. IPMnet NEWS also welcomes receiving information about global/local IPM developments at that same address. . IPMnet is sponsored by the not-for-profit Consortium for International Crop Protection (CICP), a pioneer in international implementation of environmentally responsible pest management. The Consortium comprises 10 U.S. land grant universities, the University of Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. . EPA Issues Interpretive Statement on Pesticides and Water and Seeks Comment on Proposed Rule US EPA Press Release January 27, 2005 Contact: Cathy Milbourn 202-564-7824 / milbourn.cathy@epa.gov Enesta Jones 202-564-7873 / jones.enesta@epa.gov EPA is issuing an interpretive statement and a proposed rule in response to recent court decisions highlighting the need for EPA clarification regarding Clean Water Act (CWA) permitting requirements for the application of pesticides to or over the nation's waters. The statement and proposed rule reflect EPA's long-standing policy that a CWA permit is not required where application of a particular pesticide to or over water is consistent with requirements under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). Any pesticide that is approved for use in the United States must undergo extensive study and review to help ensure that, when properly used, it does not pose unreasonable risk to human health and the environment. . Benjamin Grumbles, assistant administrator for water at EPA, noted, "Clarifying this issue is critical because confusion over permitting requirements could keep public health officials from preventing or responding to an infestation of mosquitos or from controlling an invasive species." Through this action the agency is reinforcing the importance for local officials, resource managers, agricultural producers, and other pesticide users of applying pesticides in accordance with their label directions. Applications of pesticides in violation of the labels are subject to enforcement under all appropriate statutes including FIFRA and the CWA. . EPA first solicited public comment on this issue in a Federal Register Notice published on Aug. 13, 2003. The public may provide input on the current proposed rule during a 60-day comment period. The statement and proposed rule are available at: http://www.epa.gov/npdes/agriculture#pesticides . Information about FIFRA and the pesticide program is available at: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/regulating/laws.htm and http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/regulating/registering/index.htm . . New Email Newsletter January 14, 2005 I receive news about noxious weed management and updates about grants and educational events for habitat restoration and noxious weed control. I post these updates on the SBCWMA website. Now, I will be sending these updates on an occassional basis, but not more than monthly, to a SBCWMA News Subscription List. If there aren't any updates during a month, then there won't be a newsletter. . If you want to receive this newsletter, please click here to send an email to dchang@co.santa-barbara.ca.us and place "Subscribe SBCWMA News" in the subject line. This is only to receive the newsletter. Recipients of this newsletter will be blind copied, so your email address is not seen by others. The subject line will contain "[SBCWMA News]" so you can create a rule to manage your inbox. . DPR proposes to restrict use of clopyralid on turf and lawns December 27, 2004 The Department of Pesticide Regulation has proposed the adoption of regulations to restrict sales and use of the herbicide clopyralid when it is to be used on lawn and turf, in order to protect commercial compost from potential contamination. DPR proposes to adopt section 6576 requiring licensed pest control dealers to obtain a signed statement from a licensed or certified qualified applicator certifying that he/she or their employees will not apply any product containing clopyralid to a residential lawn, and will only apply it to sites where the licensed or certified qualified applicator can assure the collected grass clippings will remain on the property. The proposal has been posted on DPR's external web site - http://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/legbills/rulepkgs.htm. Any person may present comments, before January 31, 2005, in writing to the Department of Pesticide Regulation at dpr04003@cdpr.ca.gov or by fax (916) 324-1452 . Adaptive Watershed Improvement Grant Awarded December 14, 2004 The Santa Barbara County Weed Management Area has been awarded $42,500 forthe control on Arundo donax on Carpinteria Creek by the Adaptive Watershed Improvement Program of the California Deparment of Fish and Game. The SBCWMA is participating in a coalition of agencies, the Carpinteria Creek Watershed Coalition, that is conducting voluntary projects that help to rehabilitate Carpinteria Creek by stabilizing streambanks, controlling invasive weeds, revegetating banks with local native plants and removing barriers for fish passage. For more information about the coalition visit http://www.carpinteriacreek.org . Invasive Weeds Day in Sacramento December 6, 2004 The California Invasive Weeds Awareness Coalition (CALIWAC) is hosting the 2nd Annual Invasive Weeds Day at the Capitol in Sacramento on Wednesday, March 9, 2005 from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The day will include briefings with state agencies and meetings at the Capitol with California legislators and staff.   Who should attend? Anyone involved in weed work in California. This is a rare opportunity to educate agency and elected officials about your important local projects and to show support for weed work throughout the state. Weed Management Areas are especially encouraged to send members so that the work in your region is represented. You will hear from state agencies about the status of their programs, and have the opportunity to give feedback. Meetings will be also be set up with elected officials and their staff to discuss the importance of weed control in protecting California's wildlands and agriculture.   Watch for more information and a registration form in January 2005! Questions? Contact Wendy West of the El Dorado County WMA at (530)621-5526 or wendyw@co.el-dorado.ca.us     Perennial Sowthistle Discovered in Lompoc October 26, 2004 View the Weed Alert at: http://www.countyofsb.org/agcomm/wma/PSow.htm   The Santa Barbara County Agricultural Commissioner's Office reports that a noxious weed, perennial sowthistle, Sonchus arvensis ssp uliginosus has been newly discovered in the vegetable fields west of Lompoc. Perennial sowthistle is an aggressive, hard-to-control weed that can reduce crop yields, increase management costs, and depreciate land values. It can also be a host to several economically important plant pests. Noxious weeds are specifically designated by regulation as being detrimental to agriculture, uncommon in California, and subject to regulatory action by the commissioner. Currently, in California, perennial sowthistle is only known to occur in Siskiyou and Modoc Counties, and now, Santa Barbara County. Perennial sowthistle reproduces by seed and underground roots. The seeds can be spread by the wind and also by sticking to fur, feathers, and clothing. Contamination of seed crops is an especially immediate concern as Lompoc's farmers are an important producer and exporter of flower and bean seed, worldwide. The Agricultural Commissioner's Office will be conducting a survey to look for other infestations of the weed and requests that growers report any suspect weeds growing in their fields. Perennial sowthistle looks very similar to the more commonly found weeds, annual sowthistle and dandelion. Perennial sowthistle typically forms dense stands and can grow up to 2 to 6 feet tall. Flowers are yellow and can be seen in mid to late-summer. To distinguish perennial sowthistle from annual sowthistle and dandelion, look for prickly leaves and rhizomatous growth. All other species of Sonchus in California are tap-rooted. While it is adapted to many soil types, perennial sowthistle thrives in loose, fine, rich, slightly alkaline to neutral soils, where there is adequate moisture. Seedlings are typically found in cultivated fields (both grain and row crops), waste areas, meadows, sloughs, woods, lawns, roadsides, beaches, ditches, and river and lake shores. Because of its extensive roots, which can grow as deep as 7 feet, vigorous growth, copious seed production, and relative resistance to some herbicides, perennial sowthistle is difficult to control. For more information and to report perennial sowthistle sightings call us at (805) 681-5600 or our Lompoc field office at (805) 737-7733. up . David Chang Elected to California Invasive Plant Council Board of Directors October 8, 2004 David Chang, the SBCWMA Co-coordinator, has been elected to the California Invasive Plant Council's Board of Directors. Cal-IPC is a significant advocate and information clearinghouse of invasive weed management. David will be serving as an "at-large" director for two years beginning in 2005. The Board meets five times a year largely to help plan the annual symposium and to discuss various committee goals. Cal-IPC publishes the List of Exotic Pest Plants of Ecological Concern, is working with the nursery industry to develop alternatives to invasive ornamentals, and has been instrumental in the passage of the Noxious Weed Control Act of 2004. up . Noxious Weed Control Act Passes House October 1, 2004 ...from an email by Rob Hedberg The Noxious Weed Control Act of 2004, S.144, has just passed the House of Representatives as an ammendment to the Plant Protection Act of 2000. Senate acceptance of the changes made by the House and a Presidential signature are the two remaining hurdles. Because this bill was passed on the House of Representative's "Suspension Calendar" it had to comply with the rules governing such votes, namely that the total cost of the bill must not exceed $100 million over its lifetime. To comply with this constraint the annual expenditures that are authorized had to be reduced to $15 million rather than the $100 million originally intended. This is still enormous progress. The people who came to Washington for NIWAW last February and helped focus attention on this bill deserve much of the credit for this progress. November 3, 2004 Update: The Noxious Weed Control Act of 2004 was signed into law by the President on Saturday, October 30, 2004. up . CEQA Revisions to Specifically Exempt Small Habitation Restoration September 21, 2004 ...from an email by Elizabeth Chattin Effective 9/7/04, the Resources Agency adopted revised CEQA Guidelines, available on the Resources Agency's CERES website, http://ceres.ca.gov/topic/env_law/ceqa/guidelines/. Among the changes, a new exemption (section 15333) exempts projects affecting no more than five acres for maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of habitat under specified conditions. One listed example is revegetation, wetland restoration for habitat, bank stabilization, culvert replacement, all as further specified. . Here is what the section says: 15333. Small Habitat Restoration Projects. Class 33 consists of projects not to exceed five acres in size to assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of habitat for fish, plants, or wildlife provided that: (a) There would be no significant adverse impact on endangered, rare or threatened species or their habitat pursuant to section 15065, (b) There are no hazardous materials at or around the project site that may be disturbed or removed, and (c) The project will not result in impacts that are significant when viewed in connection with the effects of past projects, the effects of other current projects, and the effects of probable future projects. (d) Examples of small restoration projects may include, but are not limited to: (1) revegetation of disturbed areas with native plant species; (2) wetland restoration, the primary purpose of which is to improve conditions for waterfowl or other species that rely on wetland habitat; (3) stream or river bank revegetation, the primary purpose of which is to improve habitat for amphibians or native fish; (4) projects to restore or enhance habitat that are carried out principally with hand labor and not mechanized equipment. (5) stream or river bank stabilization with native vegetation or other bioengineering techniques, the primary purpose of which is to reduce or eliminate erosion and sedimentation; and (6) culvert replacement conducted in accordance with published guidelines of the Department of Fish and Game or NOAA Fisheries, the primary purpose of which is to improve habitat or reduce sedimentation. Authority cited: Sections 21083 and 21087, Public Resources Code. Reference: Section 21084, Public Resources Code. up . NPS Surveying Restoration Techniques August 16, 2004 ...from an email sent to Calweedtalk by Jennifer Sunderland The National Park Service Ecosystem Restoration Program is sponsoring an initial effort in California and the northeastern United States to develop a database of restoration techniques related to alien plant invasions. The National Park Service would like to know what techniques you are testing to restore native plant communities after weed control, and what you have learned. Although local information systems are the basis for local decision making, the knowledge of practitioners only rarely reaches broad audiences through professional research or trade journals. We intend to collect and organize this information so that it is accessible to land managers. Please click on this link: http://www.nrel.colostate.edu/~jsunderl/ to respond to the posted questions. If you would rather relay your experiences via phone or in person please call Jennifer Sunderland at (970) 231-9069. up . New Hydrilla Find, Nevada County August 16, 2004 ... from a CDFA update On July 29, Robert Leavitt and Ross O'Connell of the Integrated Pest Control Branch, and Paul Boch, Nevada County Agricultural Commissioner and John Mills, Nevada County Agricultural Biologist, investigated the latest hydrilla detection in California. This detection was made by a salesman for Cygnet Enterprises West, Inc. and confirmed by the CDFA Botany Laboratory. The site is a fire control pond, approximately 0.6 acres in size, and 18 feet deep, at a County of Nevada facility. The pond is plastic lined, and the site is a zero runoff site. The investigation revealed that about 15 percent of the surface area of the pond was covered with hydrilla, which filled the water column where it was present. The Pest Exclusion Branch, Permits and Regulations, and the State Water Resources Control Board have all been alerted to this new hydrilla site. A site-specific eradication protocol is under development. up . 6th Annual Statewide Weed Management Area Meeting August 16, 2004 Save the dates September 27th and 28th, 2004, for the 6th annual statewide WMA meeting in Woodland, California. Agenda topics will include: * Update on Newest control and Restoration Techniques * Funding sources and strategies * Projects for Education and Outreach * Regional Coordination * State and Federal Legislation for WMA funding * The State Weed Plan * The SB1740 Final Report - Documenting Success If you have any questions or suggestions for this event, please call Steve Schoenig, Senior Environmental Research Scientist in CDFA's Integrated Pest Control Branch (916)-654-0768, or go to http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/weedhome for additional information. up . New Federal Bill Proposes Invasive Species Funding July 7, 2004 ...from a Wildland Weed Update S.2598, the "Public Land Protection and Conservation Act of 2004," was introduced to Congress last week. It would provide funding for local projects on invasive species (all terrestrial taxa, not just plants). For 2005, $25 million would be awarded for assessment projects, and $175 million for control projects. The bill also sets aside $50 million for early detection/rapid response. For projects not on federal land, there must be at least a 25% costshare.   The bill is authored by Senator Akaka (D-HI) and is co-sponsored by Senators Lautenberg (D-NJ), Levin (D-MI), Feinstein (D-CA), Wyden (D-OR), and Inouye (D-HI). Sen. Akaka is concerned about the mounting threat of invasive species in Hawaii, and sees a need for increased coordination and resources. Sen. Feinstein has taken a solid step by co-sponsoring the bill -- if you support this funding, consider sending a letter thanking her.   The bill is meant to be complimentary to S.144, which provides funding specifically to weed management areas (WMAs). To read the bill, go to http://thomas.loc.gov/ and type in S.2598. .up . Bill to Create a California Invasive Species Council Passed by the Assembly June 17,2004 ...adapted from an email by Doug Johnson AB 2631 (Wolk, D-Davis) has been passed by the Assembly, and will be heard June 29th by the State Senate's Natural Resources committee. Cal-IPC will be sending a letter of support. If you would like to as well, please address a letter to Senator Sheila Kuehl (fax to 916/324-4823) and CC Assembly Member Lois Wolk (fax to 916/319-2108). Bill language can be found at http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/bilinfo.html.   The bill would establish an Invasive Species Council to develop a statewide invasive species plan and make recommendations for review and approval by the Governor for the prevention, early detection and rapid response, and control and management of invasive species. The council would appoint an Invasive Species Advisory Committee.   The council would be charged with developing a statewide plan for addressing invasive species. The plan shall be developed after first conducting a complete assessment of all taxa of invasive species in California and a thorough review to identify gaps in existing programs. The plan shall be submitted to the Governor and the Legislature with recommendations for the implementation and coordination of programs among and within the participating agencies. up . Cal-IPC Sponsors Noxious Weed Photo Contest June 9, 2004 ...adapted from an email by Brianna Richardson The California Invasive Plant Council invites amateurs and professional alike to enter their weed photos in the Cal-IPC Photo Contest. Photos are encouraged in the following categories: Weedy Landscapes -- photos of horrible infestations of weeds covering the landscape Specimen Weeds -- close-ups of a particular weed or weeds Funny Weed Photos -- got a picture of your cat tangled in English ivy? Let your imagination run... Weed Warriors -- photos of professionals or volunteers hacking, squirting, chopping, pulling, or in any other way, killing weeds Weed Impacts -- water hyacinth surrounding a boat, yellow starthistle covering a trail marker, you know the scene...   Prizes will be awarded to the first, second, and third place winners in each category as chosen by the Cal-IPC Board. First place photos will be displayed at the Cal-IPC Symposium in Ventura this October. All winning entries will be featured in the Cal-IPC News.   Submission Deadline is September 1, 2004. You may submit as many photos, in as many categories, as you like. Photos need not be new or unpublished. Digital photos are preferred, but slides are also accepted. Digital photos should be a minimum resolution of 300 dpi at a size of 8x10 inches. Slides and CDs can be mailed to 1442-A Walnut Street #462, Berkeley, CA 94709. Slides and CDs cannot be returned. Digital photos may be emailed to brichardson@cal-ipc.org.   Photo authors retain copyright, however Cal-IPC reserves the right to use submitted photos in publications, on the Cal-IPC website, and in other outreach materials. Please contact Brianna Richardson at 510.843.3902 or brichardson@cal-ipc.org for more information. up . Noxious Weed Control Act Mark-Up May 17, 2004 ...adapted from emails by Rob Hedberg The House Resources Committee has a full committee mark-up session scheduled for Wednesday, May 19, 2004 at 10 A.M. to mark-up a raft of bills, including a House version of S.144, the Noxious Weed Control Act. This good news is what we hoped for during National Invasive Weed Awareness Week (NIWAW) in Washington D.C. (David Chang was at the National Invasive Weed Awareness Week helping California's contingent discuss this issue with House Representatives from California.)   A major change expected is to shift authority to the Secretary of Agriculture from the Secretary of Interior. They also intend to add a provision to promote Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) which was also a major interest during NIWAW.   May 19, 2004 Update The full House Resources Committee unanimously passed the amended version of S.144 this morning. The House Agriculture Committee will now also have an opportunity to act on the bill because the amended version gives the Secretary of Agriculture responsibility for implementation rather than the Secretary of Interior. Other amendments include a reduction in the amount of the bill. The original bill requested 100 million dollars, annually, nationwide. The new version requests 50 million dollars. And the period of the bill has been changed - 2005 through 2009.   June 9, 2004 Update Passage of the Noxious Weed Control Act has apparently stalled again, this time in the House Agriculture Committee. (The act was previously stalled in the House Resources Committee.) Noxious weed folks from around the country are contemplating the next action. I expect that we will be asking for a concerted lobbying effort from you all.   June 17, 2004 Update Things may be looking up for the Noxious Weed Control Act. Several folks involved with noxious weeds on the national front met with the House Agriculture Committee Staff yesterday afternoon and had a very productive discussion about revisions they feel are necessary to tighten up the bill. They will be meeting with John Goldberg again on Friday, June 18th, at 2:30 PM to confirm these details prior to his meeting with Resources Committee staff next Tuesday, June 22nd. up . YST Rust Released in Santa Barbara County May 4, 2004 Under the supervision of the California Dept of Food and Agriculture, Biological Control Program, a non-native fungal rust, Puccinia jaceae var. solstitialis, was released, on April 14th, in the Upper Oso area of the Los Padres National Forest. Santa Barbara was one of 20 counties selected for this third release of the rust in California.   The rust is an autoecious (infects only one host), obligate parasite of yellow starthistle. Non-systemic infections are produced, that have been shown to reduce fresh and dry weights of YST in the lab. The rust is highly host-specific, and only affects yellow starthistle. The rust is symptomatic on some other closely related species, but does not damage those species. It is hoped that the rust will establish itself, cause disease in yellow starthistle, and inhibit the production of flowers and seeds.   To date, rust pustules have not appeared. Releases are expected to be repeated in 2005. This rust is hoped to add to the complement of biological controls causing stress on yellow starthistle. For more information on this specific project you can visit the CDFA's Rust Resource website: http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/ipc/biocontrol/84ystrust.htm   May 17, 2004 Update: Rust pustules did not develop with this first release in Santa Barbara County. We are trying again with a second release this afternoon.   June 7, 2004 Update: Rust pustules have developed at our second release site. At least, six plants are showing signs of infection from Puccinia jaceae.  The infection level as a percentage of leaf area is very low, certainly less than 1%, but some individual leaves had dozens of pustules. The rust has not appeared outside the release site.   July 19, 2004 Update: Samples taken on June 28th revealed that the leaves of YST in our Puccinia inoculation plot are drying up and the Puccinia have all switched to producing teliospores, the overwintering stage. Previously, our Puccinia site was producing urediniospores, the repeating stage. Spread outside of the inoculation site was not observed. up   S144 Subcommittee Hearings Scheduled April 26, 2004 ...adapted from an email by Rob Hedberg The House Resources Committee, Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation and Public Lands has scheduled a hearing on S144, The Noxious Weed Control Act, for April 29 at 10:00 AM Eastern time. This is very good news. During NIWAW 5 a large contingent of noxious weed management folks asked for the House Resources Committee to act on this bill and now they are doing so. Senator Craig, Brenda Waters of the Idaho Department of Agriculture, and Steve Schoenig of the Calif Dept of Food & Ag, are among those who will be testifying. The hearing can be heard live over the internet by accessing http://resourcescommittee.house.gov/ Click on "Live Audio" in room 1334. up   Input Sought on Funding Priorities by Proposition 50 April 6, 2004 ...adapted from an email by Wendy West and eCivis The Department of Water Resources and the State Water Resource Control Board is accepting input until April 9, 2004 on the types of projects they should consider for their $385 million in watershed funding from Proposition 50, the Integrated Regional Water Management Program (CA0650). Proposition 50 is a bond measure passed by voters in November 2002 to ensure that the proper infrastructure will be in place to address California’s future water demands. . Program officers are interested in receiving information pertaining to all aspects of the program. For example, comments are invited on the number of funding cycles and the content of the application. Comments on eligibility and uses of funding are also encouraged. Local governments may be interested in submitting comments for this program aimed at solving current and future water needs in California, especially in disadvantaged communities. . Public comments are encouraged from all those that wish to apply for funding and must be received by April 9, 2004. A draft solicitation is expected to become available for public review by May 2004, after all public comments have been received. A final version of the solicitation is anticipated in October 2004, with an expected due date in January 2005. To learn more about this program, visit http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/funding/irwmgp/index.html. This is a good opportunity for folks to suggest that this money could be used for invasive plant control. .up   Pesticide Restrictions for Salmon Streams updated June 17, 2004 ...adapted from the US EPA website - http://www.epa.gov/espp/wtc/index.html The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington in the case of Washington Toxics Coalition (WTC) v. EPA on January 22, 2004 ordered that certain pesticides cannot be used within buffer zones around certain water bodies in California, Oregon, and Washington. As of February 10, 2004, no stay request has been filed and no stay has been issued in either the District Court or the Court of Appeals. Accordingly, the Order became effective on February 5, 2004.   For ground pesticide applications, the court order establishes a 20-yard buffer zone; for aerial pesticide applications, the court order establishes a 100-yard buffer zone adjacent to salmon-supporting waters. The court has determined that “salmon supporting waters” are the areas below the ordinary high water mark of all streams, lakes, estuaries, and other water bodies where salmon are ordinarily found at some time of year.   The order affects the use of 38 pesticides - 12 are herbicides. The 12 herbicides are: 2, 4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid; bensulide; bromoxynil; diuron; linuron; metolachlor; metribuzin; pendimethalin; prometryn; tebuthiuron; triclopyr butoxyethyl ester; trifluralin. Triclopyr BEE is the active ingredient of Garlon.   A determination of the applicability of the Order requires consideration of: (1) Which active ingredient is in the pesticide product; (2) how the pesticide product is intended to be used; and (3) where the product is intended to be used. Further, the Order provides that changes in certain circumstances would affect the applicability of the Order, for example, as EPA makes additional effects determinations, or as NMFS moves ahead in its review of EPA's determinations. Thus, a pesticide user should review, as close as possible to the time of intended use, the Order posted on EPA's Web site (http://www.epa.gov/espp), as well as any additional information updating the Order, to ascertain whether the provisions would affect a specific product, use, and location.   Application of a pesticide registered for aquatic use, and used to control state-designated noxious weeds as part of a program administered by a public entity, does not require any buffer if the application is overseen by a certified applicator AND precipitation is not occurring or forecast to occur within 24 hours. If using 2,4-D or triclopyr, only the amine formulations are used.   Application of a pesticide which is not registered for aquatic use, but used to control state-designated noxious weeds as part of a program administered by a public entity, requires only a 15 foot buffer if the application is overseen by a certified applicator AND precipitation is not occurring or forecast to occur within 24 hours, AND winds are not greater than 5 mph AND if using 2,4-D or triclopyr, only the amine formulations are used   Visit the US EPA web site on the issue at http://www.epa.gov/espp/wtc/index.html. The website has an interactive map to determine how the order applies to specific watersheds. up   CDFA Noxious Weed List April 2, 2004 The January 2004 California weed pest rating list has been issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture. The revision supersedes all previous weed pest rating lists. Download the list at http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/countyag/postings/files/Calif._Weed_Pest.pdf   May 17, 2004 Update: The above list does not have arundo, tamarix, jubata grass, cape ivy, bull thistle, Spanish broom, tree of heaven, or tocalote on it. These weeds are designated noxious in the California Code of Regulations. They just have not been rated, yet, and thus don't appear on the above list. up   Recap of Invasive Weed Day April 2, 2004 ...from an email by Wendy West Invasive Weed Day at the Capitol, held on March 24th, was a success!!! For those that were not able to attend this year, we hope you can join us at future events! Here's a recap: The morning agency briefings with Caltrans, Department of Fish and Game and California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) were informative and stimulated great questions and dialogue. Attendees met with 45 legislators and/or staff members to discuss important statewide issues and left an informational packet for reference. We also dropped packets off at 10 additional legislative office, as requested. WE COVERED A LOT OF GROUND!!!! The CALIWAC team met with Deputy Secretaries at the Governor's Office, CDFA and the Resource Agency to discuss statewide invasive and noxious weed issues. .up   Nassella pulchra Proposed for State Grass March 16, 2004 Senate Bill 1226, by state Sen. Michael Machado, D-Linden, would give purple needle grass, Nassella pulchra, official designation as the State Grass of California. Purple needle grass, a native bunch grass, is found throughout California, from the Mexican border to Oregon. It is hoped that official designation will increase its popularity for restoration purposes. Dense stands of favorable vegetation can help prevent reinfestations by noxious weeds. The California Native Grass Association has endorsed the legislation and is encouraging members and the public to promote the passage of SB1226. You may mail your comments to State Capitol, Room 3086, Sacramento, CA 95814, or email Senator Machado at Senator.Machado@sen.ca.gov .up   Invasive Weed Day in Sacramento February 18, 2004 The California Invasive Weeds Awareness Coalition (CALIWAC) is sponsoring the first annual Invasive Weed Day at the Capitol in Sacramento on Wednesday, March 24, 2004. The day will include briefings with state agencies, the "how to's" of legislative advocacy plus meetings with California legislators. The "Day at the Capitol" will be an excellent opportunity to educate legislators about invasive weed issues and how these issues affect all Californians.   Please complete the registration form and return it by March 5, 2004. Please email the completed form to Wendy West at wendyw@atasteofeldorado.com or fax to (530) 626-4756. If you have questions, please feel free to call Wendy West at (530) 621-5526. We look forward to an informative and productive Invasive Weed Day at the Capitol, March 24th! Who should attend "A Day at the Capitol"? Anyone involved in invasive weed projects in California, including individuals with Weed Management Areas, non-profit organizations, conservancies and professional organizations.   Why is CALIWAC spearheading this event? Given California's current fiscal challenges and the prospects of limited state funding for local weed groups and projects, it is critical to continue educating California agencies and legislators (and their staff) regarding invasive plant issues. Invasive plant issues need to be "on the front burner" with agencies and legislators so they are prepared to act expediently when additional federal and/or state funding becomes available. Who better than invasive weed leaders to tell that story and urge support? CALIWAC delegates have attended successful events in Washington, D.C. for National Invasive Weed Awareness Week, and believe it is important to hold a similiar event here in California. The member organizations in CALIWAC are committed to advocating for invasive weeds support.   What is the format for the day? The morning will include meetings, as a group, with representatives from state agencies to discuss current invasive weed issues and policy. Speakers will also address current invasive weed "talking points" to discuss with legislators and tips on how to meet with legislators. The afternoon will consist of meetings with legislators at the Capitol, which will be arranged ahead of time by CALIWAC. We will be focusing on meetings with participant's home legislators, plus urban legislatures and members of the legislative Natural Resources and Appropriations Committees. The day will last from approximately 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., concluding with a wrap-up and debriefing. Support materials will be distributed to all participants prior to the event to assist in making the meetings as productive as possible. Participants will work in teams during the meetings with legislators at the Capitol.   CALIWAC is a coalition of private sector groups concerned about invasive weeds in California. The organization's mission is to support and enhance existing weed control efforts in the state and promote public awareness of invasive weed issues in California. Member organizations include NGO partners California Cattlemen's Association, California Invasive Plant Council, California Farm Bureau Federation, California Native Plant Society, California Forest Pest Council, The Nature Conservancy, Regional Council of Rural Counties, as well as industry partners Monsanto, Wilbur-Ellis Co., Dow AgroSciences and UAP Timberland. Advisory members include the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the California Agricultural Commissioners & Sealers Association. .up   Experts Meeting on Implementation of a Global Invasive Species Information Network January 27, 2004 An invasive species information community is being created at http://my.nbii.gov to assist in coalescing ideas and action items. Contact Nichole McNeely at nmcneely(at)usgs.gov [replace (at) with @] for an invitation to join the discussion community and obtain instructions. Please put the acronym GISIN in the subject line of your email.   Experts in invasive species information management or database development with a good Internet connection and a strong desire to make a global invasive species information network a reality are invited to participate in the development of a global invasive species information network. A meeting of the experts is scheduled for April 6-8, 2004 in Baltimore, Maryland.   APPLICATION DEADLINE: Wednesday, January 28, 2004. DETAILS and application available at http://gisin.infointl.com   Everyone is invited to participate in the related electronic discussion, to begin in February. up   National Agricultural Library Looking for Success Stories.January 20, 2004 The National Agricultural Library <invasivespecies.gov> is seeking success stories on the battle against leafy spurge and/or yellow starthistle. Dr. Maureen Sieberg would like to interview those with some degree of success to find out what they did, how they did it, other suggestions, etc., and perhaps obtain some photos. Contact Maureen Sieberg, sieberg@u.arizona.edu up   Public Is Invited to Community Workshop on the Carpinteria Creek January 20, 2004 The Carpinteria Creek Watershed Coalition is sponsoring a community workshop to develop goals and objectives for the Carpinteria Creek Watershed Plan, on January 27, 2004, from 7-9pm at City Hall in the City Council room. There will be some short presentations, an overall outline of the plan, biological assessment overview, ongoing projects and some GIS maps, and brainstorming to develop the goals and objectives. up   "Yellow Starthistle. Managing An Invasive Alien Species" showing on GATV, Channel 20, during January. January 7, 2004 "Yellow Starthistle. Managing An Invasive Alien Species", by Xenobiota Xposures, is being shown at 7:30 P.M. on Government Access Television (GATV) - Channel 20 for Cox and Comcast TV viewers in Santa Barbara County. This 50 minute video begins with the history and biology of yellow starthistle. Then, prevention is emphasized before outlining the main control principles and methods that land managers may wish to consider. While this video concentrates on one weed, it overall seeks to engender a deeper land ethic in defense of California's unique biological heritage. The video is being shown daily at 7:30 P.M. during the month of January, except when the Board of Supervisors or other commission meetings take precedence (mostly on Thursdays and Fridays). Now is the time to begin planning your yellow starthistle management strategy. Visit http://www.gscares.com/GATV/programSchedule.asp for GATV's program schedule. Parts of the video are also available for viewing on the internet at: http://groups.ucanr.org/ceppc/Yellow%5FStarthistle/ For information on purchasing the video, visit: http://www.xenob.com/pgm.htm up   2003 News Stories:   Survey on Management of Wildfire and Non-native Plants in Western U.S. Natural Areas December 29, 2003 Montana State University, the USFS Fire Sciences Lab in Missoula, and the Center for Invasive Plant Management have collaborated on a survey on "Management of Wildfire and Non-native Plants in Western U.S. Natural Areas" The survey was to designed for Western U.S. natural area managers to improve our knowledge of factors that drive or are correlated with non-native plant occurrence after wildfire and methods and protocols used to survey and monitor non-native plants. The mostly multiple choice survey is expected to take about 10 - 15 minutes to complete. All land mangers who work on fire and/or non-native plant issues in Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, Alaska and Hawaii are requested to complete the survey at http://www2.montana.edu/weedcenter/wildfire/firesurvey/fire1.asp by February 1, 2004.   Products from this study will include a synthesis of the survey results and a literature review on the state-of-knowledge of wildfire and non-native plants in natural areas of Western U.S. These will be publicly available on the Web, on CD and as a hardcopy (limited number). The URL of the results will be sent to all survey participants prior to final publication as well as the URL of the final results and literature review, upon completion.   Questions? Contact: Dr. Lisa Rew, Montana State University, Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences (406) 994-7966, lrew@montana.edu .up   Proposed and Assigned Noxious Weeds November 14, 2003 The California Department of Food and Agriculture announced the assignment of permanent ratings for the following noxious weeds: Pistia stratioties (water lettuce) B Hydrocharis morsus-ranae (European frog bit) A Eichornia crassipes (water hyacinth) C   Rating these plants as noxious weeds allows the state and local departments of agriculture to regulate the transport, sale, and presence of these plants within California. "A" rated plants are plants of known economic importance that are usually extremely rare in California and are prohibited from entering California. "B" rated plants are usually rare but found in limited populations within California. "C" rated plants are pest plants more commonly found in California and usually beyond statewide eradication. "A" and "B" rated plants are usually prohibited from being sold in California. Sale and control of "B" and "C" rated plants and infestations are at the discretion of the local Agricultural Commissioner.   Eichornia crassipes, water hyacinth, is a popular, commonly sold and planted aquatic ornamental within Santa Barbara County. The Santa Barbara County Agricultural Commissioner has not prohibited its sale within the County. However, horticulturists and gardeners are requested to take extra care on where and how this plant is cared for in Santa Barbara County. Water hyacinth is causing major problems in natural waterways and irrigation canals in the Sacramento - San Joaquin Delta region.   Also, the California Department of Food and Agriculture proposes to change the interim "Q" ratings of the following 5 weeds to a permanent noxious weed rating as indicated: Imperata brevifolia C Myriophyllum spicatum C Limnobium laevigatum A Salvinia auriculata complex A Cotula mexicana C The proposed designation of the Salvinia auriculata complex is being officially listed as Salvinia auriculata sensu lato (included Salvinia molesta, herzogii, biloba, and auriculata sensu stricto) This is the correct reference taxonomically even though it is likely that these plants are labeled as Salvinia molesta in the trade.   If there are no objections to these proposed rating changes by December 2, 2003 and there is no request to convene a division study team, these ratings will become permanent on December 8, 2003. .up   Cal-IPC Membership Drive October 14, 2003 The California Invasive Plant Council (formerly the California Exotic Pest Plant Council) is conducting a membership drive. Cal-IPC has become a significant player in research and education on invasive plant issues. Membership fees form the core of Cal-IPC's operating budget.   More members mean better communication and coordination within the field and a more secure budget for Cal-IPC. A secure budget will help them tackle some of the big projects on the drawing board, such as evaluating the economic impact of weeds in California, drafting a report on the use of fire as a management tool, and continuing their work with nurseries on landscaping alternatives.   California's landscape professionals should become members of Cal-IPC. Besides, the more members I refer, the better the prize for me. (Just kidding. There are prizes, but, more importantly, Cal-IPC is a valuable organization that is doing a lot of great work on invasive plants.)   To join, click here for an application form. For more information on Cal-IPC, visit their website at: http://www.cal-ipc.org, or call or email Doug Johnson, dwjohnson@caleppc.org, (510) 525-1502. .up   AB 66 "Adopt-A-Riverway" Bill Signed by Governor October 14, 2003 From a Wildland Weed Update: AB 66 (Leslie), a bill that establishes an "Adopt-A-Riverway" program in California, was approved by Governor Davis on October 8, 2003. Designed by Legislative Director Kevin O'Neill of Assemblyman Tim Leslie's office, the Adopt-A-Riverway program would provide funding for local riparian clean-up efforts, including wildland weed control. Funds will be donated by corporate sponsors, who will receive recognition on signs. The program will be administered by the California Department of Food & Agriculture, which will receive funding for administrative costs. The bill text can be read at: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/bill/asm/ab_0051-0100/ab_66_bill_20030902_amended_sen.html   Assemblyman Leslie (R-Roseville) has been instrumental in passing previous bills that provided funding for the state's WMAs (weed management areas), as well as ACR 114, declaring California Weed Awareness Week each July. Letters of appreciation can be directed to The Honorable Tim Leslie, State Capitol, Room 4164, Sacramento, CA 94249-0004, fax , or emails Assemblymember.Leslie@assembly.ca.gov and Kevin.O'Neill@asm.ca.gov. .up   Bush Administration Proposes Changes to NEPA October 6, 2003 From a CalCoast Update: A White House task force last week made a number of recommendations for changing the way the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is implemented, some of which would simplify and expedite the process of exempting certain government and commercial projects from environmental review. . The recommendations of the Council on Environmental Quality panel come as the Bush administration and members of Congress have proposed eliminating the requirement under NEPA for environmental impact assessments for certain logging activities, highway and airport construction and energy exploration. The task force, convened in July 2002, includes officials from the Environmental Protection Agency, Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and Department of Energy, among others. The full list of recommendations can be found on the CEQ Web site at http://ceq.eh.doe.gov/ntf/report/index.html .up   Ecovisions Appeals for Donation to Support Completion of English Ivy Video September 5, 2003 From an email by Leif Joslyn to Steve Schoenig, dated August 14, 2003... Re: Invitation to support completion of English ivy video Dear Steve, For the past year Ron Nelson and I have been working on the English Ivy Video and Outreach Project. As you know this is the fourth in a series of videos I have produced targeting notorious invasive plant species. (See www.xenob.com for information on the earlier productions). We chose to cover English ivy for two main reasons: 1. It is now spreading dramatically in many streamside and understory habitats, including redwood understory, in California and many other states. 2. It is a classic example of a popular garden plant, familiar to all, that has escaped into sensitive areas and thus serves as an excellent emblem of the overall challenge of invasive alien species. In short, we consider this our most important project to date, and have made considerable progress (having completed filming at many sites in several states). Unfortunately, we never achieved full funding and cannot begin editing in earnest without more help. We need a minimum of $20,000 to complete the video as originally envisioned. A shortfall will mean we cannot afford even some basic graphics, stock footage, or original music…   I am hoping you can forward this funding appeal ("invitation") to all the Weed Management Areas in California. All stand to gain if both land managers and the general public are better informed by these types of informative video productions. In return for their support, however modest (even $500.00 can help), Ecovisions will at the very least add their name to the video credits and furnish them with a couple copies of the finished video. Interested parties should contact: Ron Nelson, Project Editor Email: rbn10@hotmail.com Phone: 707-822-2354   Thank you for your interest in this important project. Sincerely, Leif Joslyn Director Ecovisions 62 Stratford Rd. Kensington, CA 94707 leif@opendoor.com .up   Santa Barbara County Agriculture Department Rejects St. John's Wort Found for Sale at a Local Nursery August 19, 2003 The County of Santa Barbara Agricultural Commissioner's Office rejected St. John's Wort, Hypericum perforatum, found for sale at a local nursery. Supervising Agricultural Biologist, David Chang, was surveying nurseries for noxious weeds and found seven - 2 inch pots of St. John's Wort, also known as klamathweed, on the sales floor of the nursery. Hypericum perforatum is a "C" rated noxious weed in the California Code of Regulations. This rating defines the plant as a pest detrimental to agriculture. As such, the Agricultural Commissioner has the discretion to prohibit its sale or import into the county. The plants were taken off sale and will be destroyed. . ...from the Encycloweedia: The foliage of St. John's Wort is dotted with tiny translucent and black oil glands that contain hypericin, a fluorescent red pigment that is toxic to livestock when consumed in quantity, especially to animals with light-colored skin. Toxicity symptoms include skin photosensitivity of light-colored areas and loss of condition. Most animals graze plants only when more desirable forage is unavailable. In herbal medicine, hypericin is the antidepressant ingredient in St. Johnswort remedies. There are several regional varieties of common St. Johnswort. The variety in the Pacific Northwest is aggressively competitive and can spread rapidly by seed and rhizomes. By 1940, more than 2 million hectares (~ 1 million ha in California) of rangelands were infested. Several years later, the leaf-feeding flea beetles Chrysolina quadrigemina and C. hyperici and the root-boring beetle Agrilus hyperici were successfully introduced as biocontrol agents. Today infestations of the weed have been reduced by 97 to 99 %. Localized outbreaks of the plant sometimes occur after disturbances such as logging, fire, or during low population cycles of the flea and root-boring beetles. Introduced from Europe where it has been used medicinally for centuries. .up   Hydrilla verticillata Found in Shipment from Florida August 15, 2003 Adapted from CDFA Pest Exclusion Advisory # 22-2003 Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner inspectors intercepted Hydrilla verticillata in a shipment of aquatic plants from Florida. The shipment consisted of three small water lily plants shipped via U.S. Priority Mail by a nursery in Florida. The hydrilla plants were used as packing material in the shipment. Hydrilla is both an "A"-rated aquatic weed and a federal noxious weed. The shipment was rejected for being improperly marked as well as containing hydrilla. Shipments of live plants into California must be marked as such, and include the shipper's name, plant identity and origin.   County inspectors removed the hydrilla from the shipment and released the remaining plants. The shipment was destined to a homeowner for use in their backyard pond. County inspectors conducted a follow-up of the backyard pond and did not find any hyrdrilla. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services was notified of the infested shipment and requested to educate the shipper on California's requirements. .up   Weeds Added to California Code of Regulations Noxious Weeds List August 15, 2003 From an email by Steve Schoenig. After many years of lead-up, the Office of Administrative Law has given final approval for the amending of the list of Noxious Weed Species Section 4500 of the California Code of Regulations. They do not currently have pest ratings, but will receive ratings (most likely C ratings) in the near future. The weeds are: Ailanthus altissima (tree of heaven) Arundo donax (giant reed) Centaurea melitensis (tocalote) Cirsium vulgare (bull thistle) Cortadaria jubata (jubata grass) Delairea odorata (Cape ivy) Spartium junceum (Spanish broom) Tamarix chinensis (salt cedar) Tamarix gallica (salt cedar) Tamarix parviflora (salt cedar) Tamarix rasosissima (salt cedar) .up   Yellow Starthistle Rust Brings Promise for Control of Invasive Weed July 28, 2003 ...from CDFA Press Release # 03-047 SACRAMENTO The California Department of Food and Agriculture's Biological Control Program is embarking on a pilot project aimed at controlling an invasive weed known as yellow starthistle, which infests approximately 14 million acres in California. While yellow starthistle is an attractive plant that sprouts bright yellow flowers, it also forms dense spiny thickets that destroy grassland for cattle and wildlife, and prevent entry by humans and animals. CDFA biologists have found a natural pathogen of yellow starthistle in its native range in the Mediterranean region of Southern Europe. Puccinia jaceae is a naturally occurring fungus that causes a disease in yellow starthistle commonly known as rust due to the rust-colored pustules that develop on infected plants. . Previously, CDFA had introduced insects from the Mediterranean regions that feed on the plant, but the impact was not significant enough to establish control. Extensive greenhouse testing has shown that the rust is specific to yellow starthistle, and that it cannot infect the nearly 100 species of crops and native plants that were tested. Initial releases of the rust have occurred in an isolated valley in Napa County. It may take several years to establish its effectiveness. . View the complete press release at http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/pressreleases/PressRelease.asp?PRnum=03-047 up   SBCWMA Receives NFWF PTI Grant and a Partners for Fish and Wildlife Grant for its Santa Cruz Island Native Plant Restoration Project July 23, 2003 The Santa Barbara County Weed Management Area was awarded $52,100 by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's Pulling Together Initiative Grant Program and $13,800 from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program for its Santa Cruz Island Native Plant Restoration Project. The Project is a collaborative effort of the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, The Nature Conservancy, the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, the U.S. Geologic Service, the Agricultural Commissioner's Office and the University of California, Santa Barbara Reserve System. The goal of this project is to remove woody and non-woody invasive plants that impact the native habitat on Santa Cruz Island and educate the public on the problem of invasive exotic weeds.   The amount is in addition to another grant already awarded to the project - $40,000 from the USFW's Private Stewardship Grant Program. up   U.S.EPA Issues Statement on NPDES Permit for Aquatic Pesticde Applications July 17, 2003 The U.S. EPA has issued an "Interim Statement and Guidance on Application of Pesticides to Waters of the United States in Compliance with FIFRA" The 6-page interim memorandum from EPA, dated July 11, 2003, directly responds to a statement made by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in Altman vs. the Town of Amherst. With the memo the EPA has clarified its interpretation on NPDES permitting for pesticide applications to waterways. The memorandum addresses two sets of circumstances, direct application and coincidental application, for which the EPA believes that "the application of a pesticide to waters of the United States consistent with all relevant requirements of FIFRA does not constitute the discharge of a pollutant that requires an NPDES permit under the Clean Water Act."   To comment or for more information, contact Louis Eby, Office of Wastewater Management, (202) 564-6599 or Arty Williams, Office of Pesticde Programs, (703) 305-5239.   Addendum: September 15, 2003 The State Water Resources Control Board has stated that aquatic pesticide use still requires an NPDES permit as long as the Ninth Circuit Court's "Talent" decision stands. Their contention is that the recent US EPA opinion to the contrary does not have the force of law. This requirement applies only within the territory of the Ninth Circuit Court. (from a Sept 2003 CDFA County/State Liaison Report.) up   Army Corps to Renew Permit to Remove Exotic Weeds July 10, 2003 The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has issued a public notice on the intent to renew Regional General Permit # 41 which authorizes the mechanical removal of exotic weeds in the Los Angeles District of the Army Corps in Southern California. A copy of the notice is available at http://www.spl.usace.army.mil/regulatory/pn/rgp41.pdf Interested parties are invited to provide comment to jeannette.m.baker@usace.army.mil up.   USDA Announces Sign-Up for New Grassland Reserve Program July 10, 2003 From a CARCD news release: Sign-ups for the Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) will begin nationwide on June 30, 2003. For the first time, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will direct financial resources and technical expertise to help landowners protect and restore these lands. Applications for participation will be accepted on a continuous basis at local USDA service centers. Once funding has been exhausted, eligible applicants will remain on file until additional funding becomes available. NRCS, the Farm Service Agency, and Forest Service are coordinating implementation of GRP, which helps landowners restore and protect grassland, rangeland, pastureland, shrub land, and certain other lands and provides assistance for rehabilitating grasslands. To learn about enrollment options and how to participate in GRP, go to http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/farmbill/2002, or contact your local USDA Service Center (Santa Maria's office phone number is 805-928-9269). Additional eligibility criteria are described in the Notice of Availability of Program Funds for the Grassland Reserve Program that was published in the Federal Register on June 13, 2003, on line at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/farmbill/2002/pdf/grp.pdf .up   Agricultural Research Service Studying Flea Beetle for Yellow Starthistle Control June 24, 2003 Adapted from an ARS Information news release: A flea beetle, Psylliodes chalcomerus, is being studied by the Agricultural Research Service, the Biotechnology and Biological Control Agency in Rome and the Russian Academy of Sciences' Zoological Institute, as a potential biological control agent for yellow starthistle. This insect is unique in that it feeds on yellow starthistle's leaves, stems, and roots in contrast to all previously known insect herbivores which only attack the flowerheads. However, only a specific population of P. chalcomerus was found to be effective. The original story, with pictures, can be found at http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2003/030624.htm .up   GAO Releases Review on the Implementation of the National Management Plan June 17, 2003 The Government Accounting Office has released a review of the implementation of the National Management Plan - A plan to coordinate a national control effort involving 20 or so federal agencies that are responsible for managing invasive species. The report is available on the internet at: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d03916t.pdf   SBCWMA Receives Private Stewardship Grant June 10, 2003 The Santa Barbara County Weed Management Area has received a grant for $40,000 from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife's Private Stewardship Grant Program. The grant will go towards the SBCWMA's Santa Cruz Island Native Plant Restoration Project. The PSGP provides grants or other Federal assistance on a competitive basis to individuals and groups engaged in private, voluntary conservation efforts that benefit species listed or proposed as endangered or threatened under the Act, candidate species, or other at-risk species on private lands within the United States.   The SBCWMA's Santa Cruz Island Native Plant Restoration Project is a collaborative effort of the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, The Nature Conservancy, the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, the U.S. Geologic Service, the Agricultural Commissioner's Office and the University of California, Santa Barbara Reserve System. The goal of this project is to remove woody and non-woody invasive plants that impact the native habitat on Santa Cruz Island and educate the public on the problem of invasive exotic weeds. .up   CALIWAC Announces California Weed Awareness Week June 9, 2003 The California Invasive Weed Awareness Coalition announces California Weed Awareness Week - July 20 -26, 2003. CALIWAC will be coming up with ideas to promote the week. For more information contact Doug Johnson, or Nelroy Jackson, or Bob Pickard   Addendum: Assembly Concurrent Resolution 114, submitted by Assembly Member Tim Leslie (R-District 4, Eldorado County), declares the week beginning with the 3rd Monday in July as the annual Harmful Nonnative Weeds Awareness Week in California and urges all Californians, during that week, to participate in activities that raise awareness of both the scourge of harmful nonnative weeds and methods to prevent their pernicious spread.   Addendum (July 17, 2003): CALIWAC is sponsoring an Invasive Weeds Tour for California's legislators, policymakers, and legislative aids on Friday, July 25, 2003. Legislators and their aides have been invited to tour Sacramento area noxious weed projects. For more information contact Char at (530) 621-5520. .up   SBCWMA Arundo Removal Project Starts May 29, 2003 The Santa Barbara County Weed Management Area's arundo removal project on Arroyo Burro Creek is finally starting up. Beginning on June 2nd, 2003 at 8:00 am, the California Conservation Corps will be cutting and stacking arundo in Hidden Valley Park at the corner of Torino Rd and Calle de los Amigos in Santa Barbara. The California State Park Department will be harvesting the best cane pieces for interpretive construction projects at La Purisima Mission. The cane will be used as underlayment on roofs. The rest of the cane pieces will be chipped and disposed of in the Tajiguas Landfill. Cut stumps will be treated with glyphosate herbicide by Foothill Weed Abatement. Arundo patches on Arroyo Burro Creek and San Roque Creek where they cross State Street are scheduled for treatment on June 9, 2003. This project is funded by the California Department of Food and Agriculture's Noxious Weed Management Account and by the United States Fish and Wildlife's Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program. up.   SBCWMA Is Awarded Wetlands Recovery Project Small Grant May 29, 2003 The Wetlands Recovery Project Small Grant Program awarded the Santa Barbara County Weed Management Area, $10,000, for it's Arroyo Burro Watershed Enhancement Project near Elings Park at Las Positas Road and Cliff Drive in Santa Barbara. This is a companion project to other restoration projects that hope to protect the Arroyo Burro Creek, it's estuary, the Goleta Slough Management Area and other important coastal resources from the impact of the invasive non-native weed, pampas grass.   This grant award is in addtion to $21,888 that has already been granted by the Coastal Resources Enhancement Fund - a mitigation bank funded by the offshore oil industry to offset the significant impacts of offshore oil and gas development to coastal aesthetics, coastal recreation, coastal tourism, and environmentally sensitive coastal resources. up.   CalFlora is Back May 28, 2003 Adapted from their website... In the past, the basic Calflora service has been funded mostly by grants from government agencies. Over the last year, this kind of support has dried up entirely. Calflora is not alone here-- because of tighter government budgets, many non-profit organizations are having the same trouble, particularly in education and the environment.   Calflora is happy to announce that their website, http://www.calflora.org, is up and running on a new hosting service, with updated species data. Calflora is back with a leaner budget and a business plan that calls for the basic service to be funded by donations from users. Calflora will continue to apply for grants to develop new services, but more than ever, they are relying on you for our core support. up.   Yellow Starthistle Economic Impact Survey May 7, 2003 Adapted from an email by Steve Schoenig. CDFA is funding a study on the economic impacts of yellow starthistle. This data is crucial to understanding and building a case for more for funding and support for WMA's and private landowners. The CDFA is working with the University of Nevada Reno and the University of British Columbia.   The counties of Tehama, Calaveras and Mariposa were chosen for comprehensive direct mailings, however there is a need to get many more surveys filled out by private landowners.   If you own or manage cattle, sheep, horses or other livestock or grow alfalfa, hay, or other cereal grains, your input is requested. The survey can be downloaded or submitted via the internet at http://repa.econ.uvic.ca/survey. up   Salmon Stamp Brochure Highlights California Restoration Efforts May 6, 2003 From a CARCD newsline: The California Salmon Trollers Advisory Committee ("Salmon Stamp Committee") has released its latest brochure highlighting the salmon restoration programs that have been funded by that state's commercial salmon stamp program. The 23-page publication was produced by the California Salmon Council, under contract to the Stamp Committee, and is dedicated to the memory of the late Nat Bingham, who chaired the Committee in its early days and spent much of his fishing career working to restore habitats and flows to rebuild west coast salmon runs.   The stamp program is funded mainly by a stamp required of every California licensed commercial salmon fisherman, along with crew aboard charter recreational vessels. It also receives some funds from court settlements and bequests. The salmon stamp has been used to directly fund enhancement and habitat restoration programs as well as provide "seed" money to garner other state and federal funds. The brochure highlights the work of the program.   Copies of the brochure are available from the PCFFA/IFR offices, as well as select California Department of Fish & Game (CDFG) offices. For more information, contact Sara Randall at sublegals@ifrfish.org. up   New Newsletter Features Plants' Role in Conservation April 28, 2003 From a CARCD Newsline: It's a fact that plants help make conservation happen. A new full-color electronic newsletter, called Plant Solutions, is now online, and features short articles and expert advice on plants' role in accomplishing conservation. The NRCS Plant Materials Program newsletter is available using a list-serve subscription to anyone with vegetative leanings. To help combat information overload, Plant Solutions is a fun, brief read--only two pages with color photos and interactive links for receiving additional information. Each issue will focus on a particular conservation challenge and include a main feature story and sections called "Ask the Expert" and "Did You Know?" For more information or to subscribe to Plant Solutions today, see the eNew Service link http://news-source.nrcs.usda.gov/ on the NRCS Plant Materials website at http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov. up   Green Fountain Grass, Pennisetum setaceum, Added to Nevada's Noxious Weed List April 28, 2003 Phytosanitary Advisory 07-2003, April 8, 2003: The Nevada Department of Agriculture has amended their noxious weed list to include the "green" fountain grass variety of Pennisetum setaceum. The "red" and "purple" fountain grass varieties of Pennisetum setaceum are not covered by this amendment. If you have any questions regarding the advisory, contact Nick Condos at (916) 654-0312 or ncondos@cdfa.ca.gov. up   OSH, Home Depot Stop Sales of Invasives April 22, 2003 From a Wildland Weed Update by Doug Johnson: Following WalMart's example (their west coast buyer decided to stop putting pampas grass in stores earlier this year) Home Depot and Orchard Supply Hardware have also decided to take specific plants off their shelves. Home Depot will no longer stock pampas grass in California, and Orchard Supply Hardware has pulled broom from their shelves in the San Francisco Bay Area. In each case, concerned individuals brought the matter to the attention of the stores, and store management was receptive to learning about the impact of the plants on the environment.   The broom removed by OSH goes by the name of Cytisus racemosa, or Sweet broom. CalEPPC is still looking into this plant's invasiveness. But judging by the track record of its relatives -- Scotch broom, French broom, Spanish broom, etc. -- it's wise to limit its distribution at this point. And, as the OSH manager said, "there are plenty of other yellow flowering bushes to chose from."   This letter appeared in the 3/30/03 Marin Independent Journal:   Gosh OSH, thanks The Marin Conservation League thanks the management of Orchard Supply Hardware for removing their stock of broom plants from their sales floor. Earlier this month, our office received a call from a resident concerned that the store's nursery on Andersen Drive was selling the yellow flowering non-native plant, which is notorious for displacing native vegetation throughout low elevation wildlands in California.   Jean Starkeweather, an MCL board member and San Rafael resident [and Cal-EPPC member!], visited the store and asked them to consider removing the plants. Jean has organized work parties for more than 15 years to remove broom and other exotics along the San Rafael shoreline. Marin Municipal Water District, national and state parks, Marin County Open Space District and Marin Conservation League have been combatting it in Marin's open space areas for years.   Within a day, OSH's nursery buyer in their corporate office in San Jose called Jean and offered to remove the plants not only from the San Rafael store, but from all their stores through out the Bay Area. We appreciate OSH's willingness to put the well-being of native habitat ahead of business as usual. Kathy Lowry, President Marin Conservation League, San Rafael up.   Green Academy Receives Grant Funding April 16, 2003 adapted from an email by Stephanie Langsdorf: Santa Barbara High School, Santa Barbara City College and Growing Solutions Restoration Education Institute are excited to announce the award of a Congressional Appropriation for the first year implementation of the Green Academy program located at Santa Barbara High School. The goal of the Green Academy is to promote the terrific horticultural heritage of Santa Barbara in a way that will engage young people in relevant educational activities.   The Green Academy is a science-based program focused on integrating agricultural, watershed, and resource management curriculum into an area of study emphasis for high school students. The Green Academy will integrate high academic standards, aligned with District performance standards, and experiential learning to provide students with valuable environmental science and job readiness skills. Students enrolled in the Green Academy will earn high school and college credits to study a wide variety of real world issues including agriculture, water quality, biodiversity and greenhouse techniques.   The Green Academy will include student internships that match students with mentors, making it possible for students to fulfill their community service graduation requirements. Mentors, guest speakers, and work-study will introduce students to a wide variety of career options. The Green Academy focus on experiential learning and model building will enable students to excel in any area after graduation from high school. The Green Academy will establish high expectations for students by incorporating city college level courses into the required curriculum and be a feeder program for the Santa Barbara City College Environmental Restoration and Management degree program.   Fall 2003 is the target start date for the Green Academy. For more information please call Principal JR Richards at Santa Barbara High School at 966-9101 or Growing Solutions Restoration Education Institute at 452-7561. up.   Kids in Nature Program Receives Award April 16, 2003 From an email by Mike Williams, Sedgewick Director: Volunteers from the Kids in Nature Program at UCSB’s Sedgwick Reserve recently received recognition in the form of a Child Friendly Award, issued by the County of Santa Barbara Board of Supervisors and Kids Network, the county agency that coordinates services for children. Ten of the fifteen volunteers involved in the program were present at the award ceremony on April 1.   Kids in Nature, now in its second year, is a year-long project that integrates the study of native plant botany, habitat restoration, birding, the arts (sketching, photography, nature printing, and creative writing), student research, report writing, and technology. Three groups work together to make this project come alive for grades 4-6 students: (1) staff and volunteer teachers from the University of California’s (UCSB) Sedgwick Reserve, (2) UC Santa Barbara campus faculty, staff, and students, and (3) public school teachers. KIN involves 230 4th-6th grade students from eight classrooms in three contiguous districts: Guadalupe, Lompoc Unified, and Santa Maria-Bonita School District. Many of the students are learning English as a second language.   Funding for the program is obtained through grants and contributions from the university and other area foundations and organizations.   You can learn more about the Kids in Nature program by watching the Santa Barbara County Education Office program Innovations in Education during the month of April. Viewing times are as follows: North County: Channel 22 Wednesday & Thursday - 5 p.m; Saturday & Sunday - 1:30 p.m. South County: Channel 21 Wednesday - 6:30 p.m. and Channel 20 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday - 7 p.m. up.   Petition to Outlaw Caulerpa taxifolia April 16, 2003 From a Wildland Weed Alert by Doug Johnson: Caulerpa taxifolia, the "killer algae" that now blankets 10,000 acres of seabed in the Mediterranean Sea, was found in San Diego in 1998 and 2000. Though control efforts of these initial infestations seem to have been successful, the plant is widely distributed through the aquarium trade, and without tighter regulation its accidental reintroduction is likely. A current proposal for additional regulation is seeking the endorsement of invasive plant experts.   Dr. Susan Williams, Director of the Bodega Marine Laboratory, says that all Caulerpa species have the capacity to be invasive in non-native ecosystems due to their rapid growth rates and ability to reproduce easily from fragments. At least four Caulerpa species are already invasive in the wild. C. taxifolia can grow as a dense mat, displacing or smothering nearby aquatic vegetation. In addition, C. taxifolia produces a toxin to which many marine animals have a strong aversion. Infestations in the Mediterranean have caused irreparable ecological and economic damage, and scientists believe that the plant is continuing to spread via ships unintentionally transporting fragments of the plant to new locations.   In 1998, USDA listed the Mediterranean strain of C. taxifolia as a federally regulated noxious weed. Restrictions apply when importing it into the U.S. or selling it state to state. However, short of DNA testing, it is difficult to distinguish the listed Mediterranean strain of C. taxifolia from other strains of the species, and from other species in the genus Caulerpa. In addition, few incoming shipments of plants are inspected, some are inaccurately labeled, and poorly identified plants are routinely sold. Current regulations are not sufficient to prevent reintroduction of the Mediterranean strain or establishment of new types of Caulerpa in US waters.   Dr. Williams, in collaboration with Peter Jenkins, attorney and policy analyst for the International Center of Technology Assessment in Washington, DC, have prepared two petitions -- one to list the entire genus Caulerpa, and the other to list all strains of the species C. taxifolia. (The former is preferred, the second is a back-up; both are being submitted to USDA-APHIS simultaneously in order to save time, since the petition and listing processes can be lengthy.) Dr. Williams has produced an affidavit that provides the rationale for listing C. taxifolia -- and preferably the entire Caulerpa genus -- as a noxious weed (links to the affidavit and petitions appear below).   On behalf of the petitioners, the Union of Concerned Scientists is soliciting endorsements from invasive plant experts. Such endorsements will support APHIS in taking this important step to stopping an invasion before it happens. To add your endorsement, send an email to peterjenkins@icta.org (and CCed to ssi@ucsusa.org) with your name, degree, title, institutional affiliation (if appropriate), city and state. Be explicit about which petition(s) you are endorsing, and about whether you are signing as (1) an individual without your affiliation listed, (2) an individual with your affiliation listed, or (3) a representative on behalf of your organization. The deadline is Friday, April 18th, 5:00 pm EDT.   PDF version of Dr. Williams' affidavit: http://www.ucsusa.org/publication.cfm?publicationID=608 Petition to list the whole genus: http://www.ucsusa.org/publication.cfm?publicationID=606 Petition to list the species: http://www.ucsusa.org/publication.cfm?publicationID=607 More info on Caluerpa: Recent NOVA special "Deep Sea Invasion": http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/algae/ 1999 US FWS and APHIS report on Caulerpa prevention: http://www.anstaskforce.gov/Caulerpa.htm Cal EPA website on Caulerpa: http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/rwqcb9/programs/caulerpa/caulerpa.html up.   New Reference on Invasive Weeds from the SF Estuary Institute April 9, 2003 From an email by Michael May to CalWeedTalk: The San Francisco Estuary Institute has published a new website and publication, "A Practical Guidebook to the Identification and Control of Invasive Aquatic and Wetland Plants in the San Francisco Bay-Delta Region."   Might a serious pest plant problem be brewing in your Bay-Delta marina, slough, or wetland restoration project? Be familiar with the top plant invaders and the methods used to control them. Written without technical botanical terminology, this guidebook can help land managers, marina owners and restoration project personnel identify fifteen of the most serious invasive plants in the region, and learn about methods for their control, including local Bay-Delta experiences. References to control studies and additional invasive plant information on the web and in print are also provided.   The guidebook is available on the web, for viewing in your browser, and as a downloadable PDF file. Find the guidebook at http://www.sfei.org/nis/ The guidebook was made possible through support from the CALFED Bay-Delta Authority and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. up.   Cape Ivy Biological Control Progress Report March 26, 2003 From a report by Doug Johnson, CalEPPC: Researcher Joe Balciunas of the USDA-ARS lab in Albany, California has released the 2002 Annual Report on the Cape Ivy Biocontrols project. Host specificity testing on one agent, the Cape ivy gall fly Parafreutreta regalis, is nearing completion, and with luck the permitting will be complete in time for a release next year.   A second agent being tested for host specificity, the Cape ivy stem-boring moth Digitivalva delaireae, causes even more extensive damage to the plant. In the laboratory, the minute caterpillars frequently kill most leaves and many stems, and occasionally entire plants. If tests confirm the safety of Digitivalva and the USDA is able to obtain permits for its release, this moth should become an excellent biocontrol agent.   New development efforts were begun in South Africa to investigate a promising flower-feeding beetle as well as pathogen that is frequently found damaging the leaves of Cape ivy in its home range. Researchers were also able to obtain identification of an orange-colored rust that has been occasionally observed damaging Cape ivy in California and Oregon.   While the project made excellent scientific progress during 2002, the funding picture remains marginal. Generous donors and a few small grants are providing the funds for the critical South African component of the research. Applications have been made to secure public funding, but in the meantime the project continues to rely on the financial support of individuals and organizations with strong concern about the impact of Cape ivy on our coastal watersheds. If you are interested in contributing to this project, please contact CalEPPC at dwjohnson@caleppc.org.   The full report can be read on the CalEPPC website at http://groups.ucanr.org/ceppc/Progress_in_Cape_ivy_biocontrols/   October 18, 2004, Update: A 2003 Progress Report on Cape Ivy can be found at: http://wric.ucdavis.edu/exotic/techtran/2003_Annual.pdf up.   California Invasive Weed Awareness Coalition Meeting March 19, 2003 From an email from Steve Schoenig: The California Invasive Weed Awareness Coalition invites WMA coordinators to attend the Coalition's meetings. Let CalIWAC know what your WMA is doing and what you need. They are working for YOU trying to get you more money and more support. The California Invasive Weed Awareness Coalition is a dynamic "group of groups" from across the state that support increasing awareness and ACTION against noxious weeds.   GOALS of CalIWAC 1.) Support the development of a statewide management plan for invasive weeds. 2.) Provide a public forum to increase awareness of the detrimental environmental and economic effects of invasive weeds and contribute to solutions for invasive weed issues. 3.) Promote increased funding for management of invasive weeds. 4.) Influence state and national policy on invasive weeds.   The meeting will be held on March 28, 2003 from 9 am to 12 noon at the California Cattlemen's Association, 1221 H Street, Sacramento, California 95814. The agenda includes legislative reports, education report, and a weed summit planning report. up.   Noxious Weed Control Act of 2003 passed Senate March 14, 2003 The "Noxious Weed Control Act of 2003" (S. 144), authored by Idaho Senator Larry Craig passed the Senate with an amendment by unaminous consent on March 4, 2003. This Act appropriates $100,000,000 to provide assistance through States to eligible weed management entities to control or eradicate harmful, nonnative weeds on public and private land through the year 2007.   The companion bill, the "Harmful Invasive Weed Control Act" (H.R. 119), has been referred to the Resources and to the Agriculture Committees. This bill is co-sponsored by Rep Doug Bereuter, [NE-1]; Rep Barbara Cubin, - [WY]; Rep Jim Gibbons, [NV-2]; Rep Jim Matheson, [UT-2]; Rep George Nethercutt, Jr. [WA-5]; Rep Mark Udall, [CO-2]; and Rep Greg Walden, [OR-2].   Tell the committee members that you support this bill. The comittee members from California are: Ken Calvert, (Rep.) California 43rd 2201 RHOB 202-225-1986 Calvin M. Dooley, (Dem.) California 20th 1201 LHOB 202-225-3341 Elton Gallegly, (Rep.) California 23rd 2427 RHOB 202-225-5811 George Miller, California 7th 2205 RHOB 202-225-2095 Grace F. Napolitano, (Dem.) California 34th 1609 LHOB 202-225-5256 George P. Radanovich, (Rep.) California 19th 123 CHOB 202-225-4540 Hilda L. Solis, (Dem.) California 31st 1641 LHOB 202-225-5464   The California Exotic Pest Plant Council has made it easier to lobby legislators by providing an example letter and listing the fax numbers of committee members. For more information, visit http://groups.ucanr.org/ceppc/Ask_Rep-_Pombo_to_take_action_on_HR_119_Weed_Act/ up.   Kikuyu Grass Proposed for Deregulation February 18, 2003 ...From an announcement by Doug Johnson, CalEPPC Director Kikuyu grass (Pennisetum clandestinum Hochst. ex Chiov.) is a prostrate perennial introduced from East Africa. P. clandestinum is a federally listed noxious weed; it is also listed by the California Dept. of Food & Agriculture. An individual has requested that the USDA-APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) remove two cultivars from the listing. Though two panels have concluded that there is not enough scientific evidence to remove the plants from the list, APHIS may still face pressure to remove them.   APHIS is seeking information and opinions from all interested persons about the request for deregulation -- comments are due by April 11, 2003. Go to http://comments.aphis.usda.gov/ to read comments and submit your own, and to access scientific panel reports and the list of data sources provided by the petitioner. As a cover letter on information submitted by the petitioner puts it, kikuyu can "produce large amounts of biomass utilizing saline drainage water... a tremendous advantage that benefits ariculture and the environment. What could be more important than that?"   For info on kikuyu grass as an invasive, check: http://plants.usda.gov/cgi_bin/plant_profile.cgi?symbol=PECL2 up.   US EPA Issues Reminder: Pesticide Security Alert February 10, 2003 The Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and the Attorney General recently announced that the Homeland Security Advisory System level for terrorist attack has been elevated to "orange" or "high risk of terrorist attacks." In light of this announcement, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests that those who manufacture, distribute, transport or store pesticides should be especially vigilant regarding physical security of those chemicals.   EPA recommends that you review EPA's Pesticide Consumer Alert entitled - Pesticide Alert: Pesticide Security and Site Security published by EPA on September 2001 and available on the EPA website at: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/citizens/pest_secu_alert.htm. (This document appears to no longer be available - DC 041206)   The FBI requests that you expeditiously report any threats or suspicious behavior to your local FBI field office. A listing of FBI field offices can be found on the FBI website at: http://www.fbi.gov/contact/fo/fo.htm.   Explanatory information on the Homeland Security Advisory System can be found at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/03/20020312-5.html   The U.S. Department of Justice, through Sandia National Laboratories, has developed a chemical facility vulnerability assessment methodology (VAM). The VAM is a tool which chemical facilities may apply to assess their security vulnerabilities and to assist decisions regarding how to appropriately address those vulnerabilities. A report detailing the AM can be accessed on the National Institute of Justice's website at: http://www.ncjrs.org/pdffiles1/nij/195171.pdf   The American Chemistry Council (ACC) with the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturers Association and the Chlorine Institute have produced a chemical site security guideline document and a chemical transportation security guideline document. Both documents are available on the ACC website at: http://www.Americanchemistry.com/ (June 17, 2004 Update: This link is obsolete.)   The Center for Chemical Process Safety (CCPS) has released, "Guidelines for Analyzing and Managing the Security Vulnerabilities of Fixed Chemical Sites." This book is intended for chemical site managers, process safety managers, security managers and others responsible for conducting security vulnerability analyses and managing security at fixed chemical sites. To request a copy of this document visit the CCPS website at: http://www.aiche.org/ccpssecurity/   If you have questions regarding this advisory or EPA's Pesticide Security Alert, please contact EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs at (703) 305-5017. up.   CDFA Proposes the Formation of a California WMA Leadership Council February 6, 2003 Steve Schoenig, the California Dept of Food & Agriculture's WMA liaison, is proposing the formation of a "California WMA Leadership Council", made up of a set of WMA coordinators and leaders from across the state.   This is a totally new idea that could be timely and useful in light of the development of a State Weed Plan*, the possible sunsetting of the SB1740 funding in 2004, and the recent formation of the California Invasive Weed Awareness Coalition (CALIWAC).   Initially, an informal council could meet infrequently and, as a start; develop an assessment of needs for monetary and technical assistance to WMAs, which could be included in the state plan assist in setting the agenda for the statewide WMA meeting interface with CDFA and the Statewide SB1740 Oversight Committee interface with the CINWCC, CALIWAC, CalEPPC, etc. have a coordinated voice on weed issues. create a resource/information sharing network help develop a set of Best Practices as a model for WMAs Steve stresses that the council would belong to the WMA coordinators. He will help set up an initial meeting. If you are interested in participating on such a council let Steve know soon. Also, please send any suggestions and thoughts to sschoenig@cdfa.ca.gov   * CDFA has been asked by CALIWAC to lead a statewide planning process which will culminate in a Statewide Action Plan for Noxious and Invasive Weeds in the Fall of 2003. up.   UC Davis Student Seeks Hard to Control Weeds to Study January 30, 2003 Scott Oneto, a University of California, Davis student working on a Master's Project under the direction of Joe DiTomaso, is requesting the assistance of WMA members and weed specialists throughout California. He is developing a list of non-crop invasive plant species throughout California that are hard to control and lack sufficient control strategies and/or recommendations. Since WMA members and weed specialists are working with these types of weeds on a daily basis, or are in a position where these types of weeds are reported to them, he is asking for help in identifying hard to control species. If you have a problematic weed in your area or perhaps a weed that is becoming a growing concern, he would like to hear from you. He will be focusing his research on noncrop weeds including weeds of rangeland, forestry, rights-of-way, roadside, wetlands, and natural sites. Once he compiles the list he will begin a series of treatments this Spring and work on developing good control strategies over the next few years.   Contact him at: Scott Oneto Amador County Cooperative Extension 12200 Airport Road Jackson, CA 95642 sroneto@ucdavis.edu (209) 223-6482 up.   CalFlora in Danger of Shutting Down January 27, 2003 CalFlora has become a victim of California's recent downturn in the economy. Unless additional funding is found, CalFlora will be shutting down on January 31, 2003. CalFlora is seeking alternate funding to continue operating. For more information: http://www.calflora.org/calflora/sdfaq.html << The preceding link is obsolete.   CalFlora is a comprehensive database of plant distribution information for California, a web accessible, publicly available tool for synthesis of data from disparate sources. Calflora is designed to provide ready access to educational information, as well as scientific data needed to identify critical issues in conservation of plant diversity at varying scales and to analyze consequences of land use alternatives and environmental change on distribution of native and exotic species. Visit the CalFlora website at: http://www.calflora.org/ up.   CalEPPC Starts Electronic Forum January 13, 2003 The California Exotic Pest Plant Council has started an electronic forum for California invasive plant issues. This will help people post questions, job announcements, etc. To subscribe, simply send a BLANK email (no signature or anything) to CaliforniaWeedTalk-subscribe@topica.com. The forum's website can be viewed at http://www.topica.com/lists/CaliforniaWeedTalk   Doug Johnson, CalEPPC Director, suggests that if you're concerned about getting too much email, the best way to handle a listserv is to set up a "filter" (most email applications will do this) so that all messages from the listserv automatically go into their own folder, so they don't clutter your in-box. You can then look at them when you decide to. up.   2002 News Stories:   CDFA Budget Cuts Hit Weed Programs Hardest December 19, 2002 ...From an announcement by Doug Johnson, CalEPPC Director Responding to the governor's request to reduce budgets, the California Department of Food & Agriculture has focused its cuts almost entirely on weed control programs, indicating that these projects are not considered "core" parts of the department's mission. The department -- asked to trim $1 million from their general fund budget of approximately $30 million -- cut $750,000 from weed programs, whose total budget is $2-3 million.   These cuts come from two important weed programs: biocontrols, and weed eradication. The first researches, releases and monitors biocontrol agents to control invasives such as yellow starthistle, tamarisk, arundo, and Cape ivy [http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/ipc/biocontrol/biocontrol_hp.htm]. The second program identifies and controls A-rated noxious weeds before they get out of control [http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/ipc/weeds/weeds_hp.htm]. District biologists under this program work closely with counties and Weed Management Areas to respond to new weeds coming into a region. For instance, new knapweed infestations originating with gravel deliveries from Nevada were recently detected through this program. In addition, the GIS specialist dedicated to weeds has been reassigned to support other non-weed programs.   The governor is expected to ask for more cuts, and CDFA management's response to this first round may indicate an intent to further cut -- or eliminate -- their weed programs. Many of us benefit greatly from these programs, and it is critical that we let the department know that such cuts damage important weed work on the ground. Please (1) alert your colleagues, and (2) register an opinion with Secretary William Lyons, Jr. (on letterhead if appropriate). His address is CDFA, 1220 N Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. To contact him via email, send messages via his secretary Sue Hessing at shessing@cdfa.ca.gov. As CDFA's website says, "The Division's pest prevention program is crucial to California's economic well-being, and...this program must continue performing effectively in the future to reduce the increasing threats of exotic pest invasion in our globalized world... It is more important than ever that pest prevention strategies meet these challenges to protect our people, commerce, and environment."   Cal-EPPC is committed to supporting the excellent work of CDFA's weed programs. If you would like more information on this issue, please contact Executive Director Doug Johnson at dwjohnson@caleppc.org up.   SBCWMA Is Awarded CREF Grant December 18, 2002 The County of Santa Barbara's Board of Supervisors awarded the Santa Barbara County Weed Management Area, $21,888 from the fifteenth cycle of the Coastal Resources Enhancement Fund. The SBCWMA wants to remove pampas grass from Elings Park and from Las Positas Road near Portuesuello Road in Santa Barbara. This is a companion project to other restoration projects that hope to protect the Arroyo Burro Creek, its estuary, the Goleta Slough Management Area and other important coastal resources from the impact of the invasive non-native weed, pampas grass.   The final award was $10,000 less than the original request and as such the grant is contingent upon the SBCWMA finding additional monies to complete the project by December 10, 2003.   The Coastal Resources Enhancement Fund is a mitigation bank funded by the offshore oil industry to offset the significant impacts of offshore oil and gas development to coastal aesthetics, coastal recreation, coastal tourism, and environmentally sensitive coastal resources. The CREF Guidelines stipulate that one-half of the funds be dedicated to coastal enhancements, such as capital improvements to coastal facilities, educational marine programs, and planning for coastal lands. up.   WalMart Discontinues Sale of Pampas Grass November 14, 2002 The San Diego Chapter of the California Native Plant Society announced that WalMart has agreed to stop selling pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana) in California. Pampas grass is a target of many habitat restoration projects throughout California, including Santa Barbara County, and it is counter-productive to have it planted in the landscape right next to natural habitats. CNPS chapter member, Carolyn Martus, requested the action, and WalMart voluntarily agreed.   Female pampas grass, (C. selloana is dioecious - male and female flowers are on separate plants), is still sold in nurseries. Gardeners buy it for the fountain-like growth habit, the showy plumes and wind break feature. However, it has shown the ability to invade natural habitats. Jubata grass, a closely related species, has been shown to the reduce the abundance (except for spiders and rabbits) and diversity of native plants and wildlife. Cortaderia species' sharp, saw-toothed leaves can hinder access to recreational areas and increase the cost of road and landscape maintenance.   While it can be ornamental in the garden, feral pampas grass has reverted to a less showy form. The California Exotic Pest Plant Council is currently undertaking an effort to develop alternatives to invasive ornamentals. Perhaps WalMart's cooperation will be the inspiration for other retail businesses to follow suit. WalMart and Carolyn are to be commended for their efforts to protect California's wildlands from degradation by invasive weeds. up.   Bitterroot Restoration Native Plant Sale November 11, 2002 Bitterroot Restoration has native plants for sale at reduced prices. They are overstocked on select items, and are selling them at 50% off the listed price. They want to reduce stock before bringing them inside for the winter. Contact Dug, at 858-481-5865. up.   Noxious Weed Control Grant for Santa Cruz Island November 6, 2002 The Santa Barbara County Weed Management Area has applied for a 2003 National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Pulling Together Initiative (PTI) grant to control invasive weeds on Santa Cruz Island. The Channel Islands National Park, the Nature Conservancy, the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the SBCWMA will be involved in the project. Various non-native weedy plant species will be targeted for removal from high-value landscapes. Education of park visitors and staff on protecting the Channel Islands from invasive plants is an additional objective. The project is estimated to cost $275,000 over 2 years. $52,000 was requested from PTI. up.   New Online Calendar Features Local Events to Protect Wetlands & Watersheds October 24, 2002 ...from an announcement by Trish Chapman, Coastal Conservancy This week the Wetlands Recovery Project and the California Public Interest Research Group's (CalPIRG's) WaterWatch Program are launching a new Community Calendar. If you want to know what is happening in the 5-county area of coastal Southern California, log on to http://www.watervolunteer.org. You can also access the calendar through the WRP website at http://www.coastalconservancy.ca.gov/scwrp/. The Community Calendar is an easy-to-use online menu, showing volunteer opportunities, by county, with organizations working to protect our region's wetlands, rivers, streams, marshes, and nearshore waters. The calendar lists events and other opportunities to become involved in waterway cleanups, habitat restoration events, watershed improvement education programs and volunteer monitoring. It includes one-time events and ongoing programs that you, your family, and friends can take part in and make a difference.   The Community Calendar is to be maintained by the various organizations who will post their events on it and, once the date has passed, the event will automatically be deleted. To obtain the password so that you can enter your organization's events, e-mail your request to the following: San Diego County: dg@sanelijo.org Orange County: mtthoms@aol.com Los Angeles County: mary@lasgrwc Ventura County: ggauthier@aol.com Santa Barbara County: thiel@cecmail.org   The WRP is committed to helping weave together a community of interest around wetlands in coastal Southern California. That way we can all be more efficient and effective in our work. Please join in the effort by (1) entering your organization's events onto the calendar; (2) actively promoting use of the calendar; (3) letting the WRP know-at the e-mail addressed above, how they can improve the calendar and promote broader use of it. up.   Darlene Chirman Recognized by the Wetlands Recovery Project October 24, 2002 ...from an announcement by Trish Chapman, Coastal Conservancy GREIG PETERS WETLANDS RECOVERY AWARDS of 2002 These awards, named in honor of the 2001 recipient, Greig Peters, who passed away shortly before he would receive the award, are bestowed for (1) pioneering collaborative efforts; (2) work that yields important wetlands benefits; and (3) persisting in the face of adversity.   Greig personified these characteristics. He spent most of his professional career working for the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board. He was described as someone who could “pole-vault across several yards of red tape and transcend the individual cubicles, in which people might otherwise have hidden out, to make connections with people and get results.” Greig Peters was also described as “a person with many victories known and unknown-won by a quiet and unknown man, working unobtrusively behind the scenes to achieve great things.”   This year, Dorothy Green was honored with a regional award for lifetime work protecting the waters of coastal Southern California. In addition, each WRP Task Force selected the individual that they believed most exemplified these qualities in their counties. They are Darlene Chirman, Santa Barbara County; Paul Jenkin, Ventura County; Ron Bottorff, L.A. County; Matt Rayl, Orange County; and Alan Thum, San Diego County. Finally, Terry Tamminen was recognized for his contributions to the WRP as well as southern California's coast and its advocates.   Dorothy Green / California's Watershed Community. Excerpts from tribute written by Rick Harter. Others may speak of Dorothy's considerable contributions to environmental politics-as founder and now president emeritus of the Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers Watershed Council, founding member and past president of Heal the Bay, board member of POWER, the Planning and Conservation League and the Earth Island Institute to name just a few-but what I'd like to focus on today is Dorothy, the woman; the personality behind her accomplishments.   With her last name “Green”, the universe was hinting with lighthearted humor at her destiny. Anyone who knows Dorothy is in awe, not only of her intelligence and her love for the minutiae of policy but also her infectious passion for causes; her unbounded energy; her ability to spot talent and passion in others, enlist them in a cause, and then allow them to follow their vision with encouragement instead of interference.   Dorothy exudes the quality of joyfulness. The very tone of her voice has a lightness and happiness to it-an almost singing quality, which bubbles over with excitement. She enlists people through sweetness rather than through strife. She finds the world and its people exciting and worthy of engaging. Life is about following her heart. Knowing her passion and staying engaged with it.   Dorothy remains intellectually open. I have never yet found a topic that bores her or fails to elicit an informed opinion from her-often one that is fresh, yet grounded in personal experience rather than intellectual speculation. After long discussion, Dorothy will ask a simple question that brings us all back to fundamentals: “Hey, why not a wetland?” when considering potential water quality treatment strategies. Even when she has found the answer (like the need to capture and infiltrate urban runoff on a parcel-by-parcel basis), she remains willing to consider other views. Often appearing perhaps naïve or simplistic, she cuts through the layers of intellectual burden and shows us the direct path to fruitful inquiry.   Dorothy shows unflagging optimism. She has faced daunting obstacles. Not many know that this is her third encounter with cancer; because she refuses to dwell on illness or infirmity, especially her own. Dorothy's accomplishments have been energized by the realization that life is short, “time's a-wasting” and there's so much to be done. We must all carry on that work with confidence and faith that things will, indeed, turn out “all right” in the end; no matter how anxious we become during the process.   The “Green House”, Dorothy's and her husband Jack's home in Los Angeles, has been the nursery and nurturing place for many environmental activists and initiatives. In that rich soil of her leadership and of her life, is a model for us all where, when combined with the ever-flowing waters of our own motivation, we can find sustenance for our own passionate efforts.   Darlene Chirman / Santa Barbara County. Darlene's first professional life was as a registered nurse. But while living in American Samoa, where her husband worked as a doctor, she began volunteering her time with a local conservation group. She enjoyed the experience so much that she went back to school and become a field scientist. She enrolled at UC Davis on the same day her daughter started kindergarten. Darlene went on to earn a B.S. in wildlife biology and an M.S. in ecology and then did post graduate research in native plant restoration of riparian areas. For the past six years she has devoted her efforts to protecting and restoring Santa Barbara creeks and wetlands as a consulting biologist and restoration ecologist. Significantly, she has devoted more than half her time as a wetlands volunteer. Darlene serves as president of Santa Barbara Audubon Society and spends countless hours serving, leading, and inspiring others in the community to restore habitat, protect open space, and improve the water quality of Santa Barbara County's South Coast Region. up. Paul Jenkin / Ventura County. Paul holds a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Ocean Engineering. He serves as the Environmental Director of Surfrider Foundation's Ventura Chapter; he is Director of the Matilija Coalition, part of the Surfer's Point Working Group, and of course part of the Wetlands Recovery Project Task Force. . He has become our local "go-to guy", but remains humble, doing what it takes even when no one is looking. He's in the field, researching, documenting, teaching, attending meetings, writing letters, sending emails, and always making himself available to others. He has the patience and tenacity to work with many agencies, and within the system--and sometimes to help us change the system when it isn't working. That may be the hardest task of all, and Paul does it with intelligence and grace.   Ron Bottorff / Los Angeles County. In 1993, Ron had a vision for a grassroots watershed group to fill a void on the Santa Clara River, the last major naturally free-flowing river in southern California. The Friends of the Santa Clara River was born, garnering recognition for the Santa Clara as a major California resource. The Friends have helped to guide creation of the Santa Clara River Enhancement and Management Plan (SCREMP) and their litigation of the Newhall Ranch Project is focused on water resources and riparian habitat protection issues. In addition, Ron's leadership has helped secure, with assistance from the State Coastal Conservancy, 230 acres of river land for protection and restoration. Ron inspires all with his enthusiasm of the wild places he loves; he works tirelessly to protect the river's natural diversity; and, he offers unassuming, thoughtful, thorough, reasonable, and deeply caring leadership.   Matthew Rayl / Orange County. Matt is the founder and current president of the Serrano Creek Conservancy, an organization that includes 5,000 local families dedicated to the restoration of Serrano Creek located in the Lake Forest area of Orange County. Drifting aimlessly with no purpose for his first 33 years, it was not until a 1992 watershed event--by having a portion of his horse boarding business wash away in large flood-that Matt found his calling. Since then, Matt and other dedicated community activists, have taken the David & Goliath story to heart, continuing to sling riprap at traditional ways of creek management in Orange County. Early next year a $2.7+ million restoration project will be completed. Not only were the technologies new, but for the first time in Orange County, a local citizens group was involved in the design phase, and was able to play a major role in developing a design that provided environmental as well as flood management objectives. Proving that with an obsessive personality, anything is possible, Matt Rayl & the rest of the Serrano Creek Conservancy board and volunteers show that local citizens can be successful in an era of consultants.   Alan Thum / San Diego County, Alan gives generously of his time and ideas. But he's not just an idea man. He doesn't shy away from immersing himself in the gritty details that are laborious to assemble but critical in applying theory to fact. His wife explained the early manifestations of this tendency: “Alan showed an keen interest in biology, when, as a very young lad, he dug up some earthworms in the family garden and put them under the doormat for safe keeping. The next time he saw them, they were flat. This helps explain his long-lasting fascination with Platyhelminthes, the subject of his doctoral thesis.” Alan Thum is an unassuming man with a powerful intellect and the deeply held conviction that we must act decisively and soon to protect our region's wetlands. The force of his ideas and conviction sway others. He serves as a local and regional brain trust. He has his own “2020 Plan” with which he fully intends to challenge the powers that be.   Terry Tamminen / Coastal Southern California. Terry is the Executive Director of the non-profit foundation, Environment Now, and chairs the WRP Public Advisory Committee. As one who prefers to focus the light on others, he does not generally like to be singled out and recognized, but without him, the Wetlands Recovery Project would not exist as we know it. Without him, the coast of Southern California would not be so well defended; the partnerships designed to protect it so vital; and the volunteers who mobilize to track progress so empowered. Terry is man of culture (an accomplished Shakespearean actor); a man of science, and business; but mostly, a man of nature and the sea-he's just a man who belongs in, on or near the water. He is also a creative person who isn't afraid to put his beliefs, reputation, and resources on the line and has the “ego strength” to rally from ridicule (volunteers doing serious monitoring?). He is strongly motivated to find new ways to bring order to the world, and is willing to rebel against conformity to do so-always with grace and unflagging good humor. up.   SBCWMA Applies for CREF Grant August 15, 2002 The Santa Barbara County Weed Management Area has applied for a 2003 Coastal Resource Enhancement Fund (CREF) grant to control pampas grass on Elings Park and on Las Positas Road. The project is estimated to cost $60,000 and $30,000 was requested from CREF. This is a companion project to other restoration projects that hope to protect the Goleta Slough Management Area and other important coastal resources from the impact of the invasive non-native weed, pampas grass. The grant proposal is scheduled for review on November 18, 2002 Update, CREF 2003 Cycle October 2002: From the County of Santa Barbara's Offshore Oil & Gas Status Report. http://www.countyofsb.org/energy/statusReport.asp The Energy Division has received 17 proposals requesting $1.9 million from the fifteenth cycle of the Coastal Resource Enhancement Fund (CREF). The CREF Guidelines stipulate that one-half of the funds be dedicated to coastal enhancements, such as capital improvements to coastal facilities, educational marine programs, and planning for coastal lands. Staff is evaluating the proposals and will make recommendations for funding to the Board of Supervisors in November. up.   Noxious Weed Control Act of 2002 August 3, 2002 Following is paraphrased from "This Week in Agriculture". August 3 - 10. 2002. S198 is a companion bill to HR1462. HR1462 is on Union Calendar # 355. WASHINGTON, D.C. - The "Noxious Weed Control Act of 2002" (S.198), authored by Idaho Senator Larry Craig has passed out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and is poised for floor action at a later date.   If passed, the new program will provide a more coordinated effect to disburse funds to weed management areas. The Secretary of the Interior - in consultation with the National Invasive Species Council, the Invasive Species Advisory Committee, representatives from states and Indian tribes, and public and private entities - would allocate these funds to state governments. up.   $26,400 from Pulling Together Initiative April 1, 2002 The Santa Barbara County Weed Management Area has been awarded a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Pulling Together Initiative Grant of $26,400. This grant is provided on the condition that these funds will be matched by challenge funds raised by the Weed Management Area. The grant increases the budget for the SBCWMA's Yellow Starthistle Control Cost Share Program budget to $52,800. For more information on the YST Cost Share Program, click here: IWMP.htm   The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation supports the conservation of native fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats by attracting diverse investments to conservation and encouraging locally supported stewardship on private and public lands. up.   CDFA tours "A" rated infestations March 13, 2002 Daud Senzai, associate agricultural biologist with the California Department of Food and Agriculture, Integrated Pest Control Branch, along with staff from the Santa Barbara County Agricultural Commissioner's Office, toured two of Santa Barbara County's known locations of "A" rated noxious weeds.   Puna grass, Achnatherum brachychaetum, is growing at 5 horse ranches in the Happy Canyon Road region of the Santa Ynez Valley. A preliminary site assessment was conducted to determine the manpower needed to continue eradication attempts. The original focus site is still heavily infested, although to a much lesser extent than when the weed was first discovered. The ranch managers are doing their part to contain the infestation as well as improve the forage conditions at the ranches.   Skeleton weed, Chondrilla juncea, is known to occur at the Live Oak Campground near Highway 154 by the golf course. The site was quickly surveyed and only one plant was discovered. It was immediately pulled up. While germination from existing seed is likely next year, perhaps there is some hope that this infestation is close to being eradicated. up.   Eight invasive exotic weeds proposed for addition to the CDFA Noxious Weed List March 1, 2002 (reported in Noxious Times vol. 4:2) The California Department of Food and Agriculture is preparing to issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking which will propose the addition of the following 8 exotic invasive plants to the CDFA Noxious Weed List in the California Code of Regulations. Spanish broom (Spartium junceum) Jubata grass (Cortaderia jubata) Giant reed (Arundo donax) Salt cedar (Tamarix chinensis, T. gallica, T. parviflora, & T. ramosissima) Tocalote (Centaurea melitensis) Cape Ivy (Delairea odorata) Bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare) Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) The list is the result of a request by the Nursery Committee of the California Agricultural Commissioners and Sealers Association. When the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is issued a copy of the proposed rules will be mailed to interested individuals for notice and comment. The comment period will last 45 days. To receive a copy of the packet, send an email to noxtimes@cdfa.ca.gov, place "rulemaking packet" in the subject, and include your name and snail mail address. up.   $15,000 from Partners for Fish and Wildlife February 14, 2002 The Santa Barbara County Weed Management Area has been awarded a $15,000 grant from the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program. The award increases the budget for Arundo donax removal on the Arroyo Burro Creek to $37, 360. Thanks go to Kate Symonds, US Fish and Wildlife Conservation Grants Program Coordinator, for keeping us informed of this grant opportunity. Her timely reminder and assistance was critical in receiving this grant.   The Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program is a proactive, voluntary program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that provides technical and financial assistance to private (non-federal) landowners to voluntarily restore wetlands and other fish and wildlife habitats on their land. The program emphasizes the reestablishment of native vegetation and ecological communities for the benefit of fish and wildlife in concert with the needs and desires of private landowners.