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 you