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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRESENTATION re Noxious Weed JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST TO: Board of County Commissioners Mark McCauley, County Administrator FROM: Sophie DeGroot, Noxious Weed Control Coordinator DATE: `, W evni 26' SUBJECT: Noxious Weed Free Certification Program STATEMENT OF ISSUE: Washington's Noxious Weed Law (RCW 17.10) established that all landowners are responsible for helping to prevent and control the spread of noxious weeds at their own expense. When landowners and managers have access to certified weed-free materials, the chances of noxious weeds being spread drastically decreases. Noxious weeds often spread at construction or renovation sites due to the disturbances that remove established vegetation and leave the surface exposed and free of competition. When materials are brought into these sites and projects, seeds can be moved great distances. This is also true for materials such as mulch and woodchips that may travel across hundreds of miles and end up in someone's yard. Providing weed-free materials prevents this spread of noxious weeds and keeps a wide variety of lands healthy and weed-free. While Scotch broom is not required for control across Jefferson County as its extent is vast, the Noxious Weed Control Board did vote to require control of Scotch broom within 100-ft of aggregate piles and storage facilities. This is to curb the spread of seeds to areas that are not currently infested with Scotch broom. ANALYSIS: The Noxious Weed Control Board has created a certification program in which a Weed Board employee would inspect a site (gravel pit, storage space, compost facility, etc.) to determine how many noxious weeds are present. The Weed Board will also work with these sites to control their noxious weeds and come into compliance. The program is entirely voluntary, but provides an important service to the citizens and business owners in Jefferson County. FISCAL IMPACT: There is no additional cost for the County to implement this program. Keeping it free of charge for participants will incentivize businesses to seek out an inspection and receive certification. If we can limit the spread of seeds and propagative parts of noxious weeds, the cost of controlling noxious weeds decreases for everyone. RECOMMENDATION: I recommend that the Board of County Commissioners approve of the Noxious Weed Board's Program Standards in order to make Noxious Weed Free Certifications and Inspections available to aggregate pits and storage facilities as soon as possible. The Noxious Weed Control Board approved of the program (with minor changes that have since been made) at their November 27, 2023 Board Meeting. REVIEWED BY: C C L Mark McCauley, unty Administrator Date SON c, 9S O if � 1N January 22, 2024 Washington's Noxious Weed Law(RCW 17.10) established that all landowners are responsible for helping to prevent and control the spread of noxious weeds at their own expense. When landowners and managers have access to certified weed-free materials, the chances of noxious weeds being spread drastically decreases. Noxious weeds often spread at construction or renovation sites due to the disturbances that remove established vegetation and leave the surface exposed and free of competition. When materials are brought into these sites and projects, seeds can be moved great distances.This is also true for materials such as mulch and woodchips that may travel across hundreds of miles and end up in someone's yard. Providing weed-free materials prevents this spread of noxious weeds and keeps a wide variety of lands healthy and weed-free. The following document detailing the proposed Noxious Weed Free Certification Program was prepared with guidance from the North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA) and the Clallam Noxious Weed Control Board's varying weed free programs. It has been adjusted to be introduced in Jefferson County. Creating a noxious weed free program is one pathway to the prevention and management of noxious weeds.The standards are designed to support cross-jurisdictional cooperation, provide assurance to all participants that certified materials meet a minimum acceptable standards, and to generally limit the spread of noxious weeds through materials such as mulch, woodchips, and gravel.This program will not include the certification of forage and hay, as that is run through the Washington State Department of Agriculture. As the Noxious Weed Coordinator, I propose that the County adopt this program,free-of-charge,to all material sources in Jefferson County. Prevention of seed proliferation is a top priority when it comes to controlling the spread of noxious weeds. By stopping the spread of seeds in the first place,this program can also help limit the financial burden and time commitment placed on individual landowners who are required to control noxious weeds on their property.The Noxious Weed Control Board voted to approve this policy on November 27, 2023. Sophie DeGroot Noxious Weed Coordinator,Jefferson County 360-316-9332 sdegroot@co.jefferson.wa.us Jefferson County Noxious Weed Free Aggregate Certification Standards INTRODUCTION There is a growing demand in North America for the use of certified weed free gravel, soil, and other aggregate materials to limit the spread of noxious weeds.The Jefferson County Noxious Weed Control Board's Mission To protect lands within Jefferson County from the degrading impacts of noxious weeds by educating residents, property owners, land managers, and public agencies in how to serve as responsible stewards and aid in the protection and preservation of the land,water, and natural resources. The goal of a noxious weed free program is to work with local agencies and businesses to provide guidelines, standards, and set minimum goals for a weed free Jefferson County. DEFINITIONS: Area of origin: Where the material is stored Borrow/ Fill Pit:A location where the soil or other natural deposits on or in the earth are removed from their location to make them suitable for use elsewhere.These areas include, but are not limited to: surrounding ditches,topsoil piles, gravel/sand piles, fence rows, roads, easements, rights-of-ways, working areas, storage areas, and a buffer zone surrounding the area. All areas must be included in the inspection. Inspector: A Jefferson County Noxious Weed Control Employee or designee. Gravel: Small stones or pebbles, or a mixture of these with sand, stone, and gravel, as well as recycled materials such as concrete of asphalt. Aggregate material: Substances such as mulch, woodchips, gravel, and borrow or fill coming out or going into the pit area. Noxious Weed: a plant that when established is highly destructive, competitive, or difficult to control by cultural or chemical practices. Responsible Party: The individual or representatives of the entity that controls, directs,or manages the operation of the site. Propagules: Any part of a plant capable of enabling it to reproduce (seeds, roots, and/or stolons). Soil:The natural medium for the growth of land plants on the surface of the earth; composed of organic and mineral materials. JEFFERSON COUNTY MINIMUM STANDARDS: Revised 1/16/24 In order to receive a Noxious Weed Free Rating from the County: 1. Aggregate material shall be inspected by the authority designated by the Jefferson County Noxious Weed Control Board 2. Aggregate material shall be inspected in the area of origin 3. Aggregate material shall be free of those species identified in Appendix A. 4. Gravel/borrow area which contains any species outlined in Appendix A, may be certified if the following requirements are met: a. Area upon which the gravel/borrow material was mined was treated to prevent seed formation or seed ripening to the degree that there is reduced risk of dissemination of the seed, or any injurious portion from such species, or the propagating parts of the plant are not capable of producing a new plant. b. Weeds are treated according to best management practices, prior to development, or distribution of propagative parts. 5. When opening a new gravel pit or expanding an existing gravel pit with weeds present,topsoil and materials and material should be removed and stockpiled appropriately. Infested material must not be moved to vehicle traffic area (i.e. parking lots, road sides, construction sites). An inspection certificate, as seen in Appendix D, shall document that the above requirements have been met based upon a reasonable and prudent visual inspection 1-2 times per year. Facilities will then display the graphic from Appendix E in a public-facing place where buyers can see it, if applicable.This will provide transparency and provide further information on the meaning of being "Noxious Weed Free." A list on the County Noxious Weed Board website will be updated and maintained as the official source for which sites have been inspected and what certification they received. Appendix A:Jefferson County Noxious Weed Control List Revised: 1/8/24 The designated authority shall inspect sites for these prohibited species. Species can be petitioned for addition or removal at the first Jefferson County Noxious Weed Control Board Meeting of each year. Jefferson County Noxious Weed Control Board 2024 Weed List WAC 16-750-005 State noxious weed list—Class A noxious weeds CLASS A WEEDS are non-native species with a limited distribution in Washington. Preventing new infestations and eradicating existing infestations is required by law. Common Name Scientific Name common crupina Crupina vulgaris cordgrass,common Spartina anglica cordgrass,dense-flowered Spartina densiflora cordgrass,saltmeadow Spartina patens cordgrass,smooth Spartina alterniflora dyer's woad Isatis tinctoria eggleaf spurge Euphorbia oblongata false brome Brachypodium sylvaticum floating primrose-willow Ludwigia peploides flowering rush Butomus umbellatus French broom Genista monspessulana garlic mustard Alliaria petiolata giant hogweed Heracleum mantegazzianum goatsrue Galega officinalis hydrilla Hydrilla verticillata Johnsongrass Sorghum halepense knapweed, bighead Centaurea macrocephala knapweed,short-fringed (Vochin) Centaurea nigrescens kudzu Pueraria montana var. lobate meadow clary Salvia pratensis orange peel (oriental)clematis Clematis orientalis palmer amaranth Amranthus palmeril purple starthistle Centaurea calcitrapa reed sweetgrass Glyceria maxima ricefield bulrush Schoenoplectus mucronatus rush (Spanish) broom Spartium junceum sage,clary Salvia sclarea sage, Mediterranean Salvia aethiopis silverleaf nightshade Solanum elaeagnifolium small-flowered jewelweed Impatiens parviflora smooth frogbit Limnobium laevigatum (South American spongeplant) (Syrian) bean-caper Zygophyllum fabago Texas blueweed Helianthus ciliaris thistle,shore(Italian) Carduus pycnocephalus thistle, milk Silybum marianum thistle,slenderflower Carduus tenuiflorus thistle,ashen (Turkish) Carduus cinereus variable-leaf milfoil&hybrids Myriophyllum heterophyllum wild four o'clock Mirabilis nyctaginea WAC 16-750-005 State noxious weed list: Region 1 Class B designate noxious weeds CLASS B—DESIGNATED WEEDS are non-native species that are presently limited to portions of the state.The following Class B species are designated for control in Jefferson County.Control is required by law. Common Name Scientific Name Blueweed Echium vulgare Brazilian elodea Egeria densa bugloss,annual Lycopsis arvensis bugloss,common Anchusa officinalis camelthorn Alhagi maurorum common reed Phragmites australis(nonnative genotypes only) Dalmatian toadflax Linaria dalmatica ssp.Dalmatica Eurasian watermilfoil Myriophyllum spicatum European coltsfoot Tussilago farfara Fanwort Cabomba caroliniana gorse Ulex europaeus grass-leaved arrowhead Sagittaria graminea hairy willow-herb Epilobium hirsutum hanging sedge Carex pendula(Carex pendula subsp. pendula and Carex pendula subsp. agastachys) hawkweed oxtongue Picris hieracioides hawkweed,orange Hieracium aurantiacum hawkweeds All nonnative species:and hybrids of the Meadow subgenus(Pilosella) hawkweeds All nonnative species and hybrids of the Wall subgenus(Hieracium)and the Meadow subgenus (Pilosella) hoary alyssum Berteroa incana houndstongue Cynoglossum officinale indigobush Amorpha fruticosa knapweed, black Centaurea nigra knapweed, brown Centaurea jacea knapweed,diffuse Centaurea diffusa knapweed, meadow Centaurea x gerstlaueri knapweed, Russian Rhaponticum repens knapweed,spotted Centaurea stoebe knotweed, Himalayan Persicaria wallichii kochia Bassia scoparia lesser celandine Ficaria verna loosestrife,garden Lysimachia vulgaris loosestrife, purple Lysimachia salicaria loosestrife,wand Lysimachia virgatum parrotfeather Myriophyllum aquaticum perennial pepperweed Lepidium latifolium policeman's helmet Impatiens glandulifera puncturevine Tribu/us terrestris rough chervil Chaerophyllum temu/um rush skeletonweed Chondrilla juncea saltcedar Tamarix ramosissima(unless intentionally planted prior to 2004) shiny geranium Geranium/ucidum spurge, leafy Euphorbia virgata sulfur cinquefoil Potentilla recta thistle, musk Carduus nutans thistle, plumeless Carduus acanthoides thistle,Scotch Onopordum acanthium tocalote(Malta starthistle) Centaurea melitensis velvetleaf Abutilon theophrasti water primrose Ludwigia hexapetala white bryony Bryonia a/ba wild chervil Anthriscus sylvestris wild basil Clinopodium vulgare yellow floating heart Nymphoides peltata yellow nutsedge Cyperus esculentus yellow starthistle Centaurea solstitia/is County selected weeds RCW 1.7.10.090 State Noxious Weed List allows counties to select weeds from the state B or the C list for mandatory control within the county. Common Name Scientific Name bush, butterfly(B) Buddleja davidii (except in incorporated Port Townsend) fennel,common(B) Foeniculum vulgare (except in incorporated Port Townsend) Eurasian watermilfoil hybrid (C) Myriophyllum spicatum x M.sibiricum Herb-Robert Geranium robertianum Knotweeds(B) Polygonum spp.(non-native) Spotted jewelweed (C) Impatiens capensis (everywhere West of Lake Leland) Scotch broom (C) Cytisus scoparius (within 100-ft of aggregate piles &storage facilities) spurge laurel(B) Daphne'aureola poison hemlock (B) Conium macculatum tansy ragwort(B) Senecio jacobaea tansy,Common (B) Tanacetum vulgare teasel,common(C) Dipsacus fullonum yellow archangel (B) Lamiastrum galeobdolon Weeds of concern These weeds are not required for control in Jefferson County, but monitoring and control are encouraged. Common Name Scientific Name bindweed,field Convolvulus arvensis blackberry, Himalayan Rubus armeniacus blackberry,evergreen Rubus laciniatus buffalobur Solanum rostratum canarygrass, reed Phalaris arundinacea carrot,wild Daucus carota catsear,common Hypochaeris radicata daisy, oxeye Leucanthemum vulgare everlasting peavine Lathyrus latifolius groundsel,common Senecio vulgaris Italian arum Arum italicum ivy, English Hedera helix'Baltica'; 'Pittsburgh'; 'Star'; and H. hibernica "Hibernica" Japanese eelgrass Nanozostera japonica laurel,spurge Daphne!aureola non-native cattail species Typha spp and hybrids old man's beard Clematis vitalba pampas&jubata grass Corderia selloana&jubota sowthistle,perennial Sonchus arvensis ssp. spurge, myrtle Euphorbia myrsinites St Johnswort,common Hypericum perforatum thistle, bull Cirsium vulgare thistle,Canada Cirsium arvense toadflax,yellow Linaria vulgaris tree-of-heaven Ailonthus altissima yellow flag iris Iris pseudacorus Appendix B: Inspection Certificate Minimum Requirements—Revised 1/22/24 • Designated authority contact information • Inspection Certificate numbering system • Responsible party contact information • Legal description of property being inspected • Number of acres inspected • Inspection Date • Inspector signature • Comments section • Certification termination date Appendix C: Minimum Guidelines for Active Material Pit Inspections: • The pit or facility owner/operator meets with Inspector at the gravel/ borrow pit for the first inspection. • The entire border shall be walked or driven. • All storage areas and piles shall also be inspected and meet the standards. • Area around all equipment and working areas must be inspected to meet the standards. • Areas shall be inspected annually with a minimum of one inspection in the growing season. • All safety protocols will be adhered to during visit. • An inspector may not inspect a site that they have ownership of or financial interest in. • Responsible party will control prohibited weeds as listed in Appendix A within the entire area of the property, this includes stockpiles (regardless of origin), parking areas, and driving area Appendix D:Jefferson County Gravel Inspection Certificate Jefferson County Noxious Weed Control Board Material Source Inspection Record for Invasive Plants Valid one year from date of inspection.Expiration date: Site Information: Name of Source: Parcel Number(s): Acres: Address of Source: Closest town: Phone Number: Name and Title of Contact Person: Narrative of location of source: Inspection Information: Agency Conducting Inspection::Jefferson County Noxious Weed Control Board Name and Title of Inspector:Sophie DeGroot,Noxious Weed Coordinator Contact Information of Inspector:(360)316-9332 Signature of Date of Inspector: Inspection: Does this Rock Source have mitigation requirements? Description: Treatment/Management priorities: 1. Access roads: 2. Active pit area: 3. Perimeter of property: 4. Vehicle parking&wash areas: 5. Stock piles: 6. Additional areas: Pit description and primary uses: Weeds of Concern Found During Inspection (treatments should focus on these species): Common Name Plant Code Summary of Recommendations Name of Rock Source: Date of Inspection: Document valid I year after inspection. Does This Rock Source Meet Forest Service and/or Clallam County Requirements for Use? The Inspector will circle or highlight the option that best describes this quarry.This rating is not an endorsement. Option A This rock source exceeds requirements.Invasive plants are rare to absent in quarry. Use of materials would almost certainly not contribute to the spread of invasive plants. This rock source meets requirements.Invasive plants are uncommon in quarry, and easily isolated. • Invasive plants that are present—even those that are easily isolated-are not listed as high priority or regulated species and/or are not species of particular concern. • Non-regulated or lower priority species may be present,but are not pervasive.They may be present in small,isolated patches within or near the rock source, but can be isolated by simple Option B precautionary measures. • Typically,less than 10%of the pit either has weeds growing on it or potentially could contain weed seed or other propagules,and these areas are easily isolated from rock source materials. • Treatment of weeds is recommended,but use of materials from this source as found on the day of inspection would most likely not contribute to the spread of invasive plants on Forest Service lands if simple precautionary measures are followed. County road or restoration projects may require additional mitigation. This rock source meets minimum requirements. Invasive plants are common in quarry;precautionary measures will need to be followed carefully to prevent spread. • Any regulated species listed as priority or species of particular concern are absent in or around II rock source*. • Non-regulated species listed as priority are present in patches,but some portions of the rock source are relatively free of weeds,are most likely are not contaminated with a significant Option C amount of propagules(seeds,roots,etc.)from these species. • Typically,between 10—50%of the pit will have weeds growing on it and/or potentially could contain seed or other propagules from these species,and these areas are easily isolated from rock source materials. • Treatment of weeds is highly recommended,and may be required as a condition of use by the Forest Service or County projects. Distribution of materials from this rock source may contribute to the spread of noxious weeds if precautionary measures are not followed carefully.County road or restoration projects may require additional mitigation. This rock fails to meet minimum requirements for use on Forest Service lands or Clallam County Projects. Distribution of materials from this rock source would likely contribute to the spread of noxious weeds. • Regulated or weed species listed as priority 1 and/or species of particular concern are present in Option D or around this rock source,OR weed species listed as priority 2 by the Forest Service are present to the extent that plants and/or propagules(seeds,roots,etc.)are present in significant portions (greater than half)of the rock source and/or cannot be isolated by simple precautionary measures. • Treatment of weeds followed by subsequent inspections will be required as a condition of use. Name of Rock Source: Date of Inspection: Document valid 1 year after Inspection. Additional space for map,comments and/or recommendations: Name of Rock Source: Date of Inspection: Document valid 1 year after inspection. Appendix E Graphic to be displayed at the checkout of aggregate material sources, or somewhere that the customer can easily view it. \ r This facility was evaluated by the Jefferson County Noxious Weed Control Board's s1 (., Noxious Weed-Free Program. This facility was inspected on DRAFT This facility was inspected by DRAFT Upon inspection, this facility meets minimum requirements, meaning noxious weeds are present and precautionary measures are being taken to prevent further spread. For more information or to see the Official Certificate, please call 360-316-9332 or visit our website at bit.ly/jcnwcb ICI