REGIONAL DISTRICT of NORTH REPORT

File No.: 5286

TO: Electoral Area Advisory Committee FROM: John Friesen, Weed Control Officer

DATE: February 21, 2017 Regional District of North Okanagan 2016 Noxious Weed Season SUBJECT: Report

RECOMMENDATION:

That the Reg ional District of North Okanagan 2016 Noxious Weed Season Report dated Febru ary 21, 2017 prepared by the Weed Control Offi cer be received for information.

DISCUSSION:

The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations (MFLNRO) contributed a $27,800 grant towards the Reg ional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) 20 16 Noxious Weed/Invasive Plant prog ram . During the summer months, the RDNO employs four (4) students for fou r (4) months to conduct operational work re lating to noxious weed control. Activities include invasive plant inve ntory, operation of a seasonal spray program , mechanica l treatment, biolog ica l control activities, providing information and advice to property owners co nce rni ng the identification and control of noxious weeds, undertaking publi c education initiatives aimed at ra ising awareness about noxious weeds, and data entry into the Invasive Alien Plant Program (provincial data base).

Attached is the Reg ional District of North Okanagan 2016 Noxious Weed Season Report.

Subm itted by: s:J0rr Fri esen?9=> Bylaw Enforcement Officer 2e ~dlitb Leah Me ll ott, General Manager Electoral Area Administration REGIONAL DISTRICT OF NORTH OKANAGAN

2016

Noxious Weed Season Report

Prepared for:

2016 Invasive Plant Technical Advisory Committee BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations

RDNO File Number: 5286.2016

MEMBER MUNICIPALITIES: ELECTORAL AREAS :

CITY OF ARMSTRONG VILLAGE OF LUMBY "B" - "E" - CHERRYVILLE DISTRICT OF COLDSTREAM TOWNSHIP OF SPALLUMCHEEN "C" - B.X. DISTRICT "F" - ENDERBY (RURAL) CITY OF ENDERBY CITY OF VERNON "D" - LUMBY (RURAL) TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Inventory & Mapping ...... 2

2. On-the-Ground Weed Management a. Early Detection and Rapid Response ...... 2 b. Mechanical, Chemical, and Biological Control ...... 3 c. Name of Pest Management Plan (PMP) ...... 4

3. Management and Coordination a. Coordination ...... 4 b. Data Management ...... 5 c. Training ...... 5

4. Education and Awareness a. Outreach Tools ...... 5

5. Compliance and Enforcement ...... 6

6. Provincial Invasive Plant Program Grant ...... 6

7. Expenditure and Revenue Tables ...... 7

8. Opportunities and Challenges ...... 7

Tables Table A - 2016 Mechanical Treatment ...... 3 Table B - 2016 ·chemical Treatment ...... 3 Table C - Chemical Treatment 2012-2016 ...... 4 Table D - 2016 Biological Control Agent Releases ...... 4 Table E - 2016 Private Property Complaints and Notices ...... 6 Table F - 2016 Weed Program Expenditure Summary ...... 7 Table G - 2016 Weed Program Revenue Summary by Funding Agency ...... 7

1 2016 REGIONAL DISTRICT OF NORTH OKANAGAN NOXIOUS WEED SEASON REPORT

1. Inventory and Mapping

Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) Invasive Plant Control Crew conducts noxious weed inventories of priority noxious weed species prior to conducting on-the-ground treatments. Inventories provide information for developing prevention practices, prioritizing and planning treatments, and monitoring strategies. RDNO encompasses approxim ately seven hundred and eighty seven thousand hectares of land making it difficult to obtain and maintain a comprehensive inventory. Invasive plant mobility and limited financial and capacity resources further inhibit inventory activities.

Ministry of Forests Lands and Natural Resource Operations (M FLNRO) have developed an Invasive Alien Plant Program (IAPP) GIS database to map noxious weeds in . The IAPP is intended to co-ordinate and share information from various agencies and non-government organizations involved in invasive plant management in British Columbia. The application has been developed to allow the entry, edit, and query of invasive plant information including: site details; GPS coordin ates; invasive plant inventory information; planning; treatment methods and data; and monitoring data. An IAPP "Site and Invasive Plant Inventory Record" form is completed at each site and if on-the-ground treatments occur, the IAPP "Invasive Plant Chemical & Mechanical Treatment Record" form is completed. Inventory and treatment records completed by the RDNO Invasive Plant Control Crew are entered into the IAPP. Extracts from the IAPP database are used for planning and on-the-ground operations.

In 2016 the RDNO Invasive Plant Control Crew surveyed 2439 invasive plant sites.

2. On-the-Ground Weed Management

a) Early Detection Rapid Response

The most economical and efficient noxious weed management strategies are prevention and early detection rapid response. Ensuring noxious weeds are not introduced into weed-free areas is the best approach to prevention. An early detection rapid response plan is comprised of six steps, early detection, identification, alert screening, risk assessment, response planning, and rapid response to new plant species incursions in our region. The process increases the likelihood that new incursions will be discovered, assessed and eradicated before they become widely established in the region.

Chemical and mechanical treatments were conducted on several Garlic mustard sites with some success at eradication. We continued to identify and · assess Yellow flag iris and Purple loosestrife infestations. Treating Yellow flag iris and Purple loosestrife infestations is difficult as these sites are typically wet and difficult to access. The two Common reed sites in Electoral Area "B" were treated by the Invasive Species Council of BC JCP team.

Responding to noxious weed observations and complaints continues to be an integral part of noxious weed control program within RDNO. Properties are promptly inspected, and if noxious weeds are confirmed to exist on the property, a letter with information about the noxious weed(s) is sent to the property owner. The noxious weed control program includes Electoral Areas "B, C, D, E & F", the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTi), BC Hydro, FortisBC, Township of Spallumcheen, the District of Coldstream, Ministry of Environment (MOE), and MFLNRO.

2 Complaints directed to RDNO from within the Electoral Areas, are dealt with on a priority basis. Complaints received by participating municipalities are directed through the municipal offices to RDNO.

b) Mechanical, Chemical and Biological Control

Weather conditions during the field season influenced the type of management activities. Between May 1 and August 31 RDNO experienced thirty-seven (37) work days with precipitation and thirty-one (31) work days with temperatures in excess of 27 .0° Celsius.

Approximately 203 sites or 85.3 hectares were mechanically spot treated by the RDNO Invasive Plant Control Crew during 2016 (190 sites or 77.67 hectares for Noxious Weed management and 13 sites or 7.62 hectares for Industrial Vegetation Management). Mechanical treatment includes clipping and bagging flowers, digging, hand pulling and weed whacking. All vegetation is treated on industrial sites including conifer and deciduous species. Many areas are mechanically treated due to proximity to water, certified organic farm producers and property owner's request.

During 2016, 1067 kg (2352 lbs) of noxious weeds were bagged and disposed of at regional disposal facilities.

Table A - 2016 Mechanical Treatment

Jurisdiction 2016 TOTAL 2015 2014 2013 2012 (hectares) TOTAL TOTAL TOTAL TOTAL RDNO 19.55 26.7 18.6 20.3 29.3 MOTi 31.54 85.3 54.6 34.9 31.3 MFLNRO 3.81 0.5 0.3 3.3 6.0 Spallumcheen 14.31 29.7 16.1 13.0 3.1 Coldstream 16.09 15.7 14.6 2.5 13.7 0.3 1.0 TOTAL 85.30 157.9 104.2 74.3 84.4

Approximately 102 sites or 33.93 hectares were spot treated with herbicide by the RDNO Invasive Plant Control Crew in 2016 (95 sites or 31.44 hectares for Noxious Weed management and 7 sites or 2.49 hectares for Industrial Vegetation management). All vegetation is treated on industrial sites. Chemical treatments were affected by rainfall during May and June and by high temperatures in July and August.

Table 8 - 2016 Chemical Treatment

Jurisdiction Description Tordon Milestone Roundup Transline Weathermax Litres Hectare Litres Hectare Litres Hectare Litres Hectare RDNO Property 1.238 0.275 3.400 0.500 2.637 3.183 - GVW Sites 14.620 2.160 - P&R Parks 0.083 0.167 0.301 0.047 0.778 0.975 Spallumcheen Right of Way 0.975 0.217 0.415 0.500 Coldstream Right of Way 2.573 0.612 0.036 0.075 0.567 0.683 MOTi Right of Way 67.234 14.941 0.208 0.417 0.664 0.098 0.986 1.188 MFLNRO Property 13.304 3.063 MOE BC Parks 9.225 2.050 PRIVATE 2.303 2.775 TOTAL 94.549 21.158 0.327 0.659 18.985 2.805 7.686 9.304

3 Table C - Chemical Treatment 2012-2016

Jurisdiction RDNO Spallumcheen Coldstream MOTi MFLNRO MOE Private TOTAL 2016 TOTAL Area 7.31 0.72 1.37 16.64 3.06 2.05 2.78 33.93 Treated (ha)

2015 TOTAL 2.33 0.31 1.48 13.76 1. 00 4.20 - 23.09 2014 TOTAL 6.31 0.02 0.35 11.97 0.15 - - 18.80 2013 TOTAL 14.6 2.5 3.3 5.8 0.6 5.1 31.9 2012 TOTAL 8.6 - 2.2 5.3 - 0.6 - 16.7

In 201 6 The RDNO Invasive Plant Control Crew co ll ected and released one (1) biolog ica l co ntrol agent release (100 agents/release) for Leafy spurge control. The RDNO also received four (4) releases for Hound's tongue control from Dr. Catherin e Tarasoff of TRU's Department of Natural Resource Sciences and released them on MOTi and MFLNRO lands. ·

Table D - 2016 Biological Control Agent Releases

Biological Control Agent # of Releases # of Agents per Release Jurisdiction Aphthona nigri scutis 1 100 MOTi Mog ulones cru cifer 4 100 MFLNRO, MOTi 2016 TOTAL 5

2015 TOTAL 3 MFLNRO, Muni. 2014 TOTAL 7 RDNO, MOTi, Muni. 2013 TOTAL 7 RDNO 2012 TOTAL 3 RDNO

c) Name of Pest Management Plan (PMP)

Reg ional Distri ct of North Okanagan Pest Management Plan 201 2-2017 Confirmati on No. 141-0030-12/1 7 Expires on December 11, 2017

Invasive plant treatm ents for MFLNRO, MOE and MOTi , were conducted under and consistent with the Invasive Plant Pest Management Plan for the Southern Interior of British Columbia; FLNR PMP 738-0024- 14/1 9.

3. Management and Coordination

a) Coordination

Reg ional coord ination and management of noxious weeds in the North Okanagan has been the mandate and responsibility of RDNO since 1975. Currently, the RDNO Invasive Plant Technica l Advisory Committee includes stakeholders with jurisdiction or interest in RDNO and includes representatives from

4 MOTi, MFLNRO, MOEParks, , Splatsin First Nation, Township of Spallumcheen, District of Coldstream, City of Vernon, BC Hydro, FortisBC and local naturalist groups.

The committee communicates, participates and collaborates with other Regional Invasive Species and Plant Committees throughout the province and the Invasive Species Council of BC (ISCBC). Information and knowledge are shared during monthly Regional Invasive Species Organizations conference calls.

b) Data Management

The RDNO Invasive Plant Control Crew completes several forms for each treatment site. A work order for each site initiates the treatment. If herbicides are proposed, the Pesticide Inspection Report and Checklist is completed. "Site and Invasive Plant Inventory Record", "Invasive Plant Chemical and Mechanical Treatment Record" and "Chemical & Mechanical Monitoring Record" forms are completed for each site. UTM coordinates for noxious weed locations and management activities are recorded and entered into the IAPP database.

For biological control agent release the RDNO Invasive Plant Control Crew completes the "Biological Control Agent Release and Monitoring Record" form. Photos are also taken of each release site and release data is entered into the IAPP.

Hard copy forms for all management activities are filed for future reference.

c) Training

The RDNO Invasive Plant Control Crew began their summer employment on April 25, 2016. Two of the 2015 crew members returned for the 2016 season and RDNO hired two additional students to complete the crew. All new crew members studied, wrote the exam and became certified pesticide applicators for Industrial Vegetation and Noxious Weeds. Crew members are trained to deal with the public and under all circumstances remain polite and avoid confrontations.

All RDNO Invasive Plant Control Crew members received a safety orientation and were required to carry out their job functions in a safe manner. In addition, the crew attended a Wildlife Encounter session for Bear, Cougar, Snakes and Ticks. RDNO is committed to providing and maintaining a safe workplace.

The RDNO Weed Control Officer attended the Annual Conference of the Integrated Environmental Plant Management Association of Western Canada in on January 28 & 29, 2016.

4. Education and Awareness

a) Outreach Tools

The RDNO Invasive Plant Control Crew set up an information booth at the Vernon Farmers Market on five occasions and distributed brochures, booklets, and other outreach materials relating to noxious weeds. Approximately 600 people visited the booth and approximately 200 RDNO brochures and 25 "Field Guide to Noxious Weeds and Other Selected Invasive Plants of British Columbia" booklets were distributed. A fresh cut invasive plant display is used as a visual reference to teach the public to identify noxious weeds. These displays accompany the information booth at the Vernon Farmers Market. Outreach material from the ISCBC is also distributed.

5 The RDNO Weed Control Officer provides information and advice to property owners. This includes assistance with plant identification as well as advice on management options and practices that can be implemented to control noxious weeds on private property.

The RDNO Invasive Plant Control Crew actively engages in public education while conducting inventory, treatment and monitoring activities.

Brochures and posters were provided for display at Municipal offices, RDNO office, Allan Brooks Interpretive Center, and Kingfisher Interpretive Center. RDNO also provided outreach materials to local plant care companies for distribution to their clients.

5. Compliance and Enforcement

RDNO receives numerous complaints regarding invasive plants on private property. Table E provides information on the number of private land complaints by jurisdiction.

Table E - 2016 Private Property Complaints and Notices

Jurisdiction Complaints Letters Notice to Direct Control Weeds Enforcement (WCA) RDNO EA 'B' 21 21 RDNO EA 'C' 2 2 RDNO EA 'D' 1 1 RDNO EA 'E' RDNO EA 'F' Coldstream 21 21 Spall umcheen 5 5

2016 TOTAL 50 50

2015 TOTAL 50 50 2014 TOTAL 93 65 2 - 2013 TOTAL 80 53 - - 2012 TOTAL 98 71 1 1

RDNO also receives complaints regarding invasive plants on public lands including parks and road rights of way. All complaints are investigated and treated if required. Complaints regarding public land within Vernon were forwarded to City of Vernon staff.

6. Provincial Invasive Plant Program Grant

The MFLNRO Invasive Plant Program Grant for administrative purposes was received in late March 2016. The grant allows RDNO to enable compliance and enforcement activities, develop and deliver education and awareness programs, conduct on the ground treatments, coordinate stakeholders and build new partnerships, leverage additional resources, verify Report-A-Weed reports, provide assistance for provincial early detection and rapid response actions, and report on results of activities in the North Okanagan.

6 7. Expenditure and Revenue Tables

The majority of the revenue is spent on operational inventory and treatment to meet jurisdictional responsibility to manage noxious weeds.

Table F - 2016 Weed Program Expenditure Summary

Activity Expenditures ($) 1. Inventory (GPS, GIS, Records) 13,973.27 2. On-the-Ground 64,277.02 3. Management and Coordination 27,946.53 4. Education and Awareness 13,973.27 5. Compliance and Enforcement 6,986.63 6. Research (Monitorina) 4,191.98 7. Other (RDNO Administration) 8,383.96 TOTAL 139,732.66

Table G - 2016 Weed Program Revenue Summary by Funding Agency

Agencies Funding the Program Revenue($) 1. Electoral Areas Tax Contribution 40,000.00 2. MFLNRO Invasive Plant Control Grant 27,800.00 3. MOTi - Fees for Services 40,000.00 4. BC Hydro - Fees for Services - 5. District of Coldstream - Fees for Services 6,598.01 6. Township of Spallumcheen - Fees for Services 5,272.07 7. Private 1,232.01 8. MOE BCParks 1,485.00 9. RDNO - Fees for Services to other RDNO functions 8,345.57 10. MFLNRO - Fees for Services 9,000.00 TOTAL 139,732.66

8. Opportunities and Challenges

Oppo~unities

The RDNO Weed Control Officer participates in monthly conference calls with other regional invasive weed or species committees to discuss what is happening throughout the province and to share information and resources. Many of the Regional Invasive Plant Committees have expanded their role to Invasive Species Committees. This presents an opportunity for the RDNO to pursue an expanded role in Invasive Species Management.

During 2017, RDNO will provide an invasive plant mail-out focusing on common and destructive invasive plants in neighborhoods where we receive numerous complaints. Mail-outs provide a variety of information including plant description, distribution, concerns and control options. With all the outreach materials available there is an opportunity for RDNO to continue public education.

7 Challenges

Funding for the Invasive Plant Control program presents a challenge. There is an ongoing need for stable, adequate long-term funding for the program to be successful. Areas need to be carefully monitored for new invading species annually. Weather is also a very important factor in weed control. Wet and hot weather restricts chemical treatments.

In Electoral Areas "B & C", Rush skeletonweed, Knapweed sp., Hound's tongue, Canada th istle, Leafy spurge, Sulphur cinquefoil, Common burdock, Hoary cress and Hoary alyssum continue to be a problem. Scotch th istle infestations result in the majority of the complaints and subsequent inspections. Common bugloss was treated in the Commonage area and appears to be spreading north from the Reg ional District of Central Okanagan. Several infestations of Garlic mustard and Japanese knotweed were treated.

In Electoral Area "D" , Hound's tongue, Canada thistle, Common burdock, Dalmatian toadflax, Hoary alyssum, Sulphur cinquefoil, Oxeye daisy, Scentless chamomile and Knapweed sp. continue to be a problem. Rush skeletonweed and Scotch thistle were treated between Lavington and the Village of Lumby. Marsh plume thistle was hand pu lled near Moonshine Forest Service Road (FSR).

In Electoral Area "E", Canada th istle, Dalmatian toadflax, Oxeye daisy, Orange hawkweed and Knapweed sp. continue to be a problem . During 2016 Hound's tongue was mechanically treated in the Cherryvil le area and biocontrol agents were released for Hound's tongue control near the Cherryville Recycli ng and Disposal Facility. Several knapweed species and Hoary alyssum were inventoried and hand pu lled on FSRs. Common tansy was also identified on several FSRs. Herbicide treatments are the best treatment to control Common tansy however the Cherryville Water Stewards have requested RDNO inform them of any proposed herbicide treatments within Electoral Area "E". They adamantly opposed the appli cation of glyphosate to control Common tansy so it was not treated in 2016. Field scabious and Leafy spurge still exist near the junction of Hwy 6 and North Fork Rd.

In Electoral Area "F" , Canada thistle, Hoary alyssum, Oxeye daisy, Scentless chamomile and Common tansy continue to be a problem. Scotch broom continues to be a concern in the Kingfisher area near but does not seem to be spreading aggressively. Garli c mustard was observed north of Grindrod and numerous Japanese knotweed sites were identified. Several property owners were contacted and informed about the impacts of these species and control options. During 2016 the RDNO treated Rush skeletonweed in Electoral Area "F". Blueweed was identified north of Grind rod and Wild chervil appears to be wide spread in the Grindrod area. During 2016 an extensive inventory of W ild chervil was completed ..

In the Township of Spall umcheen, Rush skeletonweed, Knapweed sp. , Hound's tongue, Scotch & Canada th istle, Leafy spurge, Scentless chamomile, Sulphur cinquefoil , Hoary cress and Hoary alyssum continue to be a problem. Puncturevine was identified in the Grandview Flats area. Two gravel pits located on St. Annes Road and Otter Lake Road contain infestations of Rush skeletonweed, Knapweed sp. and Sulphur cinquefoil. Hoary alyssum and Hoary cress appear to be spreading rapidly along road right of ways and on private property. Blueweed was hand pulled on Knob Hill Rd.

In the District of Coldstream, Hound's tongue, Sulphur cinquefoil, Scotch & Canada thistle, Hoary alyssum, Common burdock, and Knapweed sp. continue to be a problem. Hoary alyssum appears to be spreading rapidly along road right of ways and on private property. Rush skeletonweed sites seem to be increasing in the District of Colstream. Garlic mustard, Yellow flag iris, Knotweed and Purple loosestrife infestations were all identified in Coldstream. Large Scotch thistle infestations were treated on municipal owned land.

Release and redistribution of bio-agents for control of weeds will be on a higher priority level in the future particularly in areas where the use of herbicides is dramatically restricted and/or not possible to use. 8