HomeMy WebLinkAbout030716_cabs01Regular Agenda
Commissioners Office
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA REQUEST
TO: Board of County Commissioners
Philip Morley, County Administrator
FROM: Joost Besijn, Coordinator Jefferson County Noxious Weed Control Board
DATE: March 7, 2016
SUBJECT: Presentation on Noxious Weed Control on County Right -of -Way
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:
The Jefferson County Noxious Weed Control Board (JCNWCB) is organized under RCW 17.10 to coordinate the
management of noxious weeds in order to prevent, control, or mitigate the spread of these species to protect
human health, livestock, wildlife, native habitat, and ecosystem functioning in ecological as well as economical
terms.
The JCNWCB has set up an MOU with the Jefferson County Public Works — Road Department to assist in the control
of noxious weeds along county Right -of -Way. This presentation will provide a brief overview of the work
completed in 2015 and our future challenges.
REVIEWED BY:
orley, y inistratq) ��Date
)Jefferson
County
Weed
Control
Protecting Native Ecosystems
& Natural Resources
Jefferson County Road Noxious Weed
Management Report - 2015
Prepared by the Jefferson County Noxious Weed Control Board
Joost Besijn Coordinator
Malloree Weinheimer Asst. Coordinator
SON
Table of contents
1. Introduction......................................................................................................................................... 3
2. Completed work on County roads.......................................................................................................3
2.1 Surveys..............................................................................................................................................3
2.2 Letters................................................................................................................................................3
2.3 Treatments.........................................................................................................................................4
2.3.1 Manual Treatment...............................................................................................................4
2.3.2 Herbicide Treatment............................................................................................................5
2.4 Staff..............................................................................................................................................6
3. Future projects....................................................................................................................................7
3.1 Future challenges...............................................................................................................................8
1. Introduction
The Jefferson County Noxious Weed Control Board (1CNWCB) has partnered with the Jefferson County
Public Works (Roads Division) since 2012 to provide services for weed control along County right -of- way
on county roads. Noxious weeds pose a threat to the health of the environment and population of
Jefferson County for various reasons, making it vital to control or mitigate the spread of these weeds
efficiently and continuously. All right-of-way serve as vectors facilitating the spread of noxious weeds.
Public Works maintains approximately 400 miles of county roads, which have infestations of state and
county listed noxious weeds such as wild chervil, tansy ragwort, spotted and meadow knapweed, poison
hemlock, and others that are required for control by WAC 16-750, or by county designation.
As part of this agreement, the JCNWCB provides annual reports to the County Public Works detailing the
completed work and distribution of the contribution made by Public Works.
3
2. Completed work on County roads
During 2015 the JCNWCB completed noxious weed surveys and control treatments using various
management strategies.
2.1 Surveys
JCNWCB staff completed a total of 130 hours surveying Jefferson County to assess the locations,
infestation sizes, and growth stages of noxious weeds populations. Wild chervil (class B), tansy
ragwort (class B), spotted knapweed (class B), Scotch broom (class B), Himalayan blackberry (class C),
teasel (class C), and reed canary grass (class C), were commonly found, as well as many other species
that are present on the County Noxious Weed list.
Populations and locations of wild chervil on the County right-of-way were mapped and scheduled for
treatment in June. Post-treatment surveys were conducted by JCNWCB staff for to determine
effectiveness.
2.2 Letters
After determining locations requiring chemical treatment, a total of 92 letters were mailed to
landowners of property adjacent to right-of-way scheduled to be treated prior to treatment, allowing
ample time for response.
Letters informed landowners of the infestations of wild chervil, its harmful effects on the
environment and local agriculture, and outlined the planned work. In the event that adjacent
landowners objected to the application of herbicide in the ROW, the option for landowner control
was offered as an alternative. Two landowners (organic farmers) chose this option.
2.3 Treatments
The JCNWCB spent a total of 309 hours removing noxious weeds from the County rights-of-way
during 2015. Of this 49 hours were contracted out to third party contractors (9 hours to Northwest
Weed Management, 40 hours to the Washington Conservation Corps).
2.3.1 Manual Treatment
Approximately 130 out of the 309 hours were devoted to early detection and rapid response of
various species including tansy ragwort, sulfur cinquefoil, herb Robert, Scotch broom, teasel, and
poison hemlock. No exact locations were recorded for this activity, since it was completed with
Noxious Weed Board funds and not the contribution from Public Works. However, in the future, the
JCNWCB will record and share all noxious weed removal data with all interested parties.
Wild Chervil Project
In June, staff from the JCNWCB visited wild chervil infestations prior to chemical treatment and
manually removed seeds and flowers from plants as a preventative measure to prevent seeding which
can continue for some time after herbicide application.
Additionally, all other wild chervil infestations that were not chemically treated were removed
manually. These need to be carefully monitored, as root fragments quickly form new plants.
2.3.2 Herbicide Treatment
Herbicide applications took place on June 18th and June 26" totaling at 25 applications made on
Center Road, West Valley Road, Eaglemount Road, and Larson Lake Road. Figure 1 displays an
overview of the herbicide application locations.
Precise application location
f O Approx. application location
ri — County Rd.
N
Scale: 1:80,000 t
W. Valley Rd.
WA 19
r
— Center Rd.
Eaglemount Rd.
Egg & I Rd.
WA 104
Larson Lake Rd.
Figure 1: Overview map of herbicide applications in Jefferson County
Notification signs were posted at both ends of each treated area for 45 days to inform the public of the
chemical treatment. Backpack sprayers containing a mixture of 1.5% Aquaneat (herbicide), 0.5% Liberate
(surfactant), 0.39% Blaze on Blue (dye), and 97.61% water were used for the application.
Table 1 provides an overview of the herbicide amounts. Please contact the JCNWCB coordinator for
spray records and/or MSDS labels.
M
Table 1: Total amounts of herbicides, adjuvant (surfactant), and marker dye applied
Date
Lead Applicator(s)
Aquaneat
Herbicide
(oz)
Liberate
Surfactant
(oz)
Blaze on Blue
Marker Dye
(oz)
Area Treated
(sq ft)
06/18
Jill Silver/Owen French
58.5
19
7.6
15,624
06/18
Joost Besijn/Evan Sivesind
74.103
24.172
12.169
39,912
06/26
Joost Besijn
11.523
11.523
N/A
19,650
2.4 Staff
Letters and surveys were conducted by part time staff at the JCNWCB. For herbicidal treatments,
JCNWCB contracted the WCC regional crew and Northwest Weed Management supervised by JCNWCB
chair, Jill Silver, and coordinator, Joost Besijn. All lead applicators are trained and licensed pesticide
applicators through the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA).
3. Future projects
The JCNWCB will, within our capacity, continue to survey and control noxious weeds on the Jefferson
County rights-of-way (ROW). The program will also work to update the current map of all known
infestations in 2016in east and west Jefferson County.
Table 2 provides an overview of the estimated resources the JCNWCB will dedicate in 2016.
Table 2: Overview of JCNWCB resources dedicated to managing noxious weeds on Jefferson County ROW.
Total $9,279.50 $11,470.00
-$11,470.00
Jefferson County Noxious Weed Control Board
Jefferson County Road Department
+ $7,470.00
+ $4,000.00
$0
!3
Expenses
2015
Year
2016 (estimate)
Amount
Cost
Amount
Cost
Surveying
130 hrs
$2,275.00
200 hrs
$4,000.00
Report writing
10 hrs
$245.00
20 hrs
$490.00
Weed Board
260 hrs
$4,787.50
200 hrs
$4,000.00
Removal
Contractor (WCC)
40 hrs
$830.00
120 hrs
$2,490.00
Contractor (NWWM)
9 hrs
$512.00
Meetings
0
10 hrs
$245.00
Other
Outreach
30 hrs
$630.00
10 hrs
$245.00
Articles
0
4 (2x PTL + 2x PDN)
$600.00
Postage
92 letters
$45.08
150 letters
$73.50
Information print-outs
120 copies
$6.00
120 copies
$6.00
Equipment
Vehicles + Spray equipment
?
1 new backpack
$69.99
Herbicide + Adjuvant
3 gal
$119.50
3 gal
$119.50
Mileage
635 miles
$365.13
1000 miles
$460.00
Total $9,279.50 $11,470.00
-$11,470.00
Jefferson County Noxious Weed Control Board
Jefferson County Road Department
+ $7,470.00
+ $4,000.00
$0
!3
3.1 Future challenges
One of the main tasks of the Jefferson County Noxious Weed Control Board is to facilitate
communication between all parties involved in noxious weed management, including the road
department and the JCNWB itself. This is vital to ensure effective weed control and to avoid
counterproductive management strategies.
The County Road department's mowing practices are necessary to achieve several objectives such as
maintaining visibility and to prevent damage to the roadway. When timed right, mowing can be an
effective management tool to prevent the spread of certain noxious weed species. Alternatively, when
mistimed or applied to the wrong species, mowing can greatly contribute to the spread of certain
noxious weeds by spreading propagules.
Therefore, it is vital to clearly communicate and plan management strategies so that the desired effects
can be achieved for all parties involved.
AGREEMENT BETWEEN
JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS
AND
JEFFERSON COUNTY NOXIOUS WEED CONTROL BOARD
This Agreement is made and entered into by and between Jefferson County acting through the
Department of Public Works, 623 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend, Washington 98368, hereinafter
referred to as "Public Works" and the Jefferson County Noxious Weed Control Board, 201 West
Patison Street, Port Hadlock Washington 98339, hereinafter referred to as "Weed Control Board".
For the purposes of this Agreement, it is understood that all references to Public Works or the Weed
Control Board also include an appointed designee(s).
WHEREAS, Jefferson County, through its Public Works Department (Roads Division), operates and
maintains approximately 400 miles of public roads in order to provide for safe and efficient
transportation of people and goods, and
WHEREAS, the Jefferson County Noxious Weed Control Board has a stated mission "To serve as
responsible stewards of Jefferson County by protecting the land and resources from the degrading
impact of noxious weeds," and
WHEREAS, the Weed Control Board has identified certain noxious weeds requiring control on
County road right -of way,
NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to the above recitals, Public Works and the Weed Control Board
(collectively hereinafter "Parties" to this Agreement) acknowledge and agree to work cooperatively in
accordance with the following:
PURPOSE OF AGREEMENT
The purpose of this Agreement is to define the obligations of both Parties related to weeds in the
County right-of-way for the term of the Agreement.
SCOPE OF WORK
The Parties shall undertake the work as set out below.
The Public Works Department (Roads) will, within the limitations of this agreement, perform the
following:
1. At the beginning of each calendar year for the duration of the agreement, transfer a cash amount
of Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000) from the Road Fund to the Weed Control Board Fund for
the purpose of controlling listed noxious weeds on County road right-of-ways.
Interlocal Agreement, Public Works — Weed Control Board
2. Use County mowing equipment, as available within the constraints of other scheduled work, to
mow weeds within the right-of-way where identified by Weed Control Board staff at the
appropriate time to prevent seeding.
3. Report locations of noxious weeds to Weed Control Board staff.
4. Participate in meetings with Weed Control Board staff at least two times per year to review
work deliverables, priorities, methods, etc.
The Weed Control Board will, within the limitations of this agreement, perform the following:
1. Utilize the $4,000 cash transfer only for the purpose of controlling listed noxious weeds within
County right-of-way by means of employing staff, contractors, or other agencies with the
appropriate personnel and equipment to effectively control targeted species.
2. Be solely responsible for the activities conducted by its staff and/or contractors within the right-
of-way.
3. If using herbicides, will notify adjacent property owners and the Public Works Department
prior to use and resolve any concerns of the property owners prior to proceeding.
4. If using herbicides, will conduct work with properly licensed and trained staff or contractors.
5. Will schedule and participate in at least two meetings per year with Public Works staff to
review work deliverables, priorities, methods, and also report on what was accomplished and
how the cash contribution was used.
TIME OF PERFORMANCE
This Agreement shall be effective for calendar years 2012 through 2016, a period of five (5) years.
PROJECT ADMINISTRATION
Administration of this Agreement for Public Works shall be conducted by the Public Works Director
or his designee. For the Weed Control Board, the Agreement shall be administered by the
Coordinator.
EMPLOYEES
All employees remain employees of their respective agency at all times and shall perform work under
the sole supervision of their agency.
PAYMENT
A fixed transfer of Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000) will be made from the Public Works Road Fund
to the Weed Control Board Fund at the beginning of each calendar year during the period of this
Agreement to be used for the purposes outlined in this Agreement. The Parties agree that this shall
Interlocal Agreement, Public Works — Weed Control Board
constitute the full financial obligation of Public Works with respect to this issue for the duration of the
Agreement.
RIGHT -OF -ENTRY
Weed Control Board staff may enter upon County road right-of-way to conduct weed control activity.
Weed Control Board staff shall record when and where work was performed and shall make these
records available to the Public Works Department. Prior to using herbicides in the right-of-way,
Weed Control Board staff shall notify adjacent property owners and Public Works.
JOINT HOLD HARMLESS
Each party to this Agreement shall be responsible for damage to persons or property resulting from
the negligence on the party of itself, its employees, its agents, or its officers. Neither party assumes
any responsibility to the other party for the consequences of any act or omission of any person, firm,
or corporation not a part to this Agreement.
COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS
All work performed under this Agreement shall comply with all federal and state laws, local laws and
ordinances, and applicable permit requirements.
TERMINATION
Either party may terminate this Agreement by giving written notice to the other, at the address first
noted herein, of such termination and specifying the effective date thereof at least thirty (30) days
before the effective date of such termination.
SEVERABILITY
Should any clause, phrase, sentence or paragraph of this Agreement be declared invalid or void, the
remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
ENTIRE AGREEMENT
The Agreement merges and supersedes all prior applications, representations, negotiations, approvals,
and understandings between the Parties hereto relating to the subject matter of this Agreement and
constitutes the entire Agreement between the parties.
Interlocal Agreement, Public Works — Weed Control Board
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement.
COUNTY OF JEFFERSON
WEED CONTROL BOARD
Chairman, Weed Control Board
Interlocal Agreement, Public Works — Weed Control Board
COUNTY OF JEFFERSON
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
John Austin, Chairman
Phil Johnson, Member
David Sullivan, Member
Approved as to form only this
day of , 2012.
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney
Frank Gifford
Public Works Director