National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Dinosaur National Monument Colorado and Utah Dinosaur National Monument Invasive Plant Management Plan & Environmental Assessment October 2005 Invasive Plant Management Plan And Environmental Assessment Dinosaur National Monument October 2005 Abstract Non-native, invasive plants are invading our national parks, causing tremendous damage to our resources, thereby threatening the structure, organization, function, and overall integrity of the natural ecosystems we aspire to protect. Controlling invasive species is a serious challenge facing Dinosaur National Monument – 75 species of non-native plants occur in the monument. Of these, 24 are of particular concern because of their aggressive nature and ability to displace intact, native vegetation communities. This Plan and Environmental Assessment outlines weed management strategies (as alternatives) based on principles of Integrated Pest Management that address the use of controls including some or all of the following: mechanical, cultural, chemical, biological, and prevention techniques. Public Comment We welcome your comments on this Plan and EA. If we receive important new information, or if significant new issues are raised during the public comment period, we will revise the EA. If you wish to comment on the Plan and EA, you may enter them online at the National Park Service website Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (http://parkplanning.nps.gov/) or you may mail comments to the name and address below. The Invasive Plant Management Plan and Environmental Assessment will be on public review for 30 days ending November 17, 2005. Please note that names and addresses of people who comment become part of the public record. We will make all submissions from organizations, businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses available for public inspection in their entirety. If you wish us to withhold your name and/or address, you must state this at the beginning of your comment. Mary Risser, Superintendent Dinosaur National Monument 4545 E. Highway 40 Dinosaur, CO 81610 Table of Contents Abstract …………….……………………………….…………………………………….i Public Comment…….…….……….……………………………………………………...i List of Abbreviations….………………….………….……………………………………iv Definitions……………………..…………………….……………………………………iv Summary…………………………………………………………………………………..1 IPM and Its Use in National Parks…………….…………………………………………..2 Alternatives …………………………………………………………………………...…..4 Chapter 1: Purpose and Need Background….…………………………………………………….………..……………1-1 History of Invasive Species and their Management in Dinosaur National Monument……………………...……………………………1-4 Purpose and Need……………………………………………………………………… 1-5 Scope of Plan……………..……………………………………………………………...1-5 Relationship of the Proposed Alternative to Other Monument Plans…………………...1-5 Scoping Issues…………………………………..…………….…………………………1-6 Impact Topics…………………………………..…………….………………………….1-6 Impact Topics Dismissed from Further Consideration……….…..……………………..1-7 Chapter 2: Alternatives Considered Regulatory Measures Common to All Alternatives………………………………………2-1 Invasive Plant Management Planning Considerations……………………………………2-10 Invasive Plant Management Plan…………………………………………………………2-13 Alternative 1……………………………….……………..……………………………….2-25 Alternative 2……………………………………….………………………..………….…2-25 Alternative 3……………………………………….…………………….………………..2-26 Alternatives Considered and Rejected………….……..…………………………………..2-30 Mitigation Measures..……………… …………………………………………………….2-30 Environmentally Preferred Alternative…………….……………………………………..2-41 Chapter 3: Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences Chapter Organization………………………………………………………………….....3-1 Methodology for Assessing Impacts………………………………………………….….3-1 Intensity of Effects Defined……………………..…………………………………….…3-2 Cumulative Effects Methodology…………………..………………………………...….3-7 Other Past/Present/Anticipated Projects in the Monument………………………………3-7 Compliance with Section 106 NHPA……………………………………………………3-8 Impairment Methodology………………………………………………………………..3-9 Soils and Vegetation……………………………….…………………………………….3-10 Wetlands and Floodplains………………………………………………………………..3-23 Wildlife……………………………………………………………………………...……3-30 Threatened and Endangered Species…………………………………………….………3-38 Water Quality…………………………………………………………………… ……...3-47 ii Wilderness….…………..………………………………………………………………….3-53 Air Quality…….………..…………………………………………………………………3-58 Soundscape…………..……………………………………………………………………3-61 Historic Structures……...……………………………………………………………..…..3-63 Cultural Landscapes…...………………………………………………………………… 3-69 Archeological Resources………………………………………………………………… 3-74 Paleontological Resources……………..………………………………………………… 3-81 Land Use and Park Operations……………………………………………………………3-87 Socioeconomics……………………………………………………………………………3-92 Chapter 4: Consultation, Coordination, and References…..………………………….4-1 Figures Figure 1: Dinosaur National Monument………………………………………………….1-3 Figure 2: Integrated Pest Management Decision Matrix………………………………....2-12 Figure 3: Total Area Surveyed for Invasive Plants in Dinosaur National Monument 2002-2004……………………………………..2-16 Tables Table 1: Summary of Alternatives………………………………………………………..2-27 Table 2: The Degree to Which Each Alternative Meets Invasive Plant Management Plan Objectives……………………………………………..2-43 Table 3: Environmental Impact Summary By Alternative……………………………….2-44 Table 4: Impact Threshold Definitions…………………………………………………...3-3 Table 5: Non-native and Invasive Plants of Colorado and Utah………………………….3-12 Appendices Appendix A: Public Scoping Documents Appendix Appendix B: Users Guide to Integrated Pest Management Decision Matrix Appendix C: Cub Creek Area Weed Management Plan Appendix D: Invasive Plant Prevention Guidelines Appendix E: USFWS Consultation Documentation Appendix F: RAVE Index Appendix G: Adjuvants Approved for Use by the State of California Appendix H: Minimum Tool Analysis Decision Tree for use in Dinosaur National Monument’s Recommended and Potential Wilderness Areas Appendix I: Pesticide Safety Appendix J: Wildlife of Dinosaur National Monument Appendix K: State-listed Animal and Plant Species of Concern Appendix L: (Detailed) Invasive Plant Management Plan and Monument-wide Inventory Results iii List of Abbreviations ATV All Terrain Vehicle APRS Alien Plants Ranking System BLM Bureau of Land Management BMP Best Management Practice CE Categorical Exclusion CNAP Colorado Natural Areas Program CNHP Colorado Natural Heritage Program DINO Dinosaur National Monument DO Director’s Order EA Environmental Assessment EPMT Exotic Plant Management Team ESA Endangered Species Act GPRA Government Performance Results Act IPM Integrated Pest Management IWM Integrated Weed Management MSDS Material Safety Data Sheet NCPN Northern Colorado Plateau Network NEPA National Environmental Policy Act NHPA National Historic Preservation Act NPS National Park Service NRCS Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture LISTED Threatened and Endangered (also includes sensitive species/species of concern) SHPO State Historic Preservation Officer USDA United States Department of Agriculture USFS United States Forest Service USFWS/ FWS United States Fish and Wildlife Service Definitions Several terms are defined to facilitate understanding of this Plan and EA: Native Plant – The NPS defines native plants as all species that have occurred or now occur as a result of natural processes on lands designated as units of the national park system. Native species in a place are evolving in concert with each other (USDI NPS 2001). A goal of the NPS is to perpetuate native plants and animals as part of the natural ecosystem. Exotic Plant – The NPS defines exotic species as those species that occupy or could occupy monument lands directly or indirectly as the result of deliberate or accidental human activities. Because exotic species did not evolve in concert with the species native to the place, it is not a natural component of the natural ecosystem at that place (USDI NPS 2001) Invasive Exotic Plant - An aggressive exotic plant that is known to displace native plant species in otherwise intact native vegetation communities. Invasive exotic species are unwanted plants that are harmful or destructive to humans or other organisms. Not all exotic plants are invasive. This plan addresses only those exotic plants that are determined to be invasive. State Listed Noxious Weeds – Invasive plants prohibited or restricted by Colorado and/or Utah state law. Many of the invasive plants known to occur in DINO fall into this category (please refer to Table 1 on page 19). Transporting seed or parts of these plants or allowing them to seed on one’s property is prohibited. iv Integrated Pest Management (IPM) - also referred to as Integrated Weed Management (IWM) - A decision-making process that coordinates knowledge of pest biology, the environment, and available technology to prevent unacceptable levels of pest damage, by cost- effective means, while posing the least possible risk to people, resources, and the environment (USDI NPS 2001). Eradicate – Completely eliminating all weed plants, including live roots, rhizomes, and seeds. Eradicating a weed species within a management area is very difficult unless it is present in small populations or numbers. Suppress – To reduce abundance of a weed species, typically as measured or estimated in terms of canopy cover or plants density. Contain – To confine an infestation so it does not expand, but does not usually mean reducing the current infestation