J2 - GMNF NNIP Treatment Decision Guide

J2 - GMNF NNIP TREATMENT DECISION GUIDE

This document provides guidance on what control treatment should be used given the species, size and location of the NNIP infestation; the cost and effectiveness of the control methods available; and other resource considerations. Treatment options considered include manual, mechanical, physical, prescribed fire, chemical, biological, domestic grazing, or a combination of these methods; prescribed fire, biological control, and domestic grazing are not part of this contract. Where a treatment or combination of treatments that is best for one species conflict with those that are best for others, site-specific coordination of timing and implementation would occur to ensure that conflicts are resolved prior to treatment. The control method selection guidance is provided in the following manner:

Dichotomous Key to Methods for Treating Terrestrial or Riparian NNIP1

While this dichotomous key addresses the basic decision-making process for choosing an appropriate method for treating NNIP, it is not possible for it to address all possible situations for all NNIP. In addition:  All project mitigation measures must be applied prior to final decision and treatment, and it is possible that implementing mitigation measures could necessitate a change in the choice of treatment methods.  All herbicide specimen label requirements will be followed when applying chemical treatments, including when the use of aquatic formulation herbicides in or near water is required.  As treatments are implemented and monitored, the decision process for NNIP may be modified based on treatment efficacy.  While biocontrol, domestic grazing, and prescribed fire are included in this key, they are not part of this contract.

1) Infestation is of herbaceous plants, including herbaceous vines: 2 1) Infestation is of shrubs, trees, or woody vines: 9

2) Infestation is small (< 20 stems on hard-to-pull species, e.g., knapweed, and < 500 stems on easy-to-pull species, e.g., garlic mustard) and relatively isolated from other infestations: 3 2) Infestation is large (≥ 20 stems on hard-to-pull species, e.g., knapweed, and ≥ 500 stems on easy-to-pull species, e.g., garlic mustard) OR there are several small infestations in close proximity (e.g., several small infestations are visible from one location), and is not along a road edge: 5 2) Infestation is large (≥ 20 stems on hard-to-pull species, e.g., knapweed, and ≥ 500 stems on easy-to-pull species, e.g., garlic mustard) OR there are several small infestations in close proximity (e.g., several small infestations are visible from one location), AND it is along a road edge: 13

3) Species can be effectively controlled by manual or physical methods (e.g., giant hogweed, garlic mustard, or goutweed, knapweed, purple loosestrife, and wild chervil) …use manual or physical methods.

1 Decisions regarding how to treat aquatic species would be guided by the state permitting process. Manual methods (which require no permit) would be considered first for all infestations.

GMNF NNIP Treatment Decision Guide Page 1 3) Species is not effectively controlled by manual methods (e.g., swallowwort, Japanese knotweed, and common reed): 4

4) Adjacent vegetation is either underground (e.g., in early spring) or is not of concern (e.g., primarily other non-native plants) AND the target plant can be effectively controlled by a non- selective herbicide…use a non-selective herbicide (e.g., a glyphosate product), including spot-spray, cut-stem and stem-injection methods, depending on species; in addition garlic mustard may be treated with prescribed fire. 4) Adjacent vegetation is either above-ground and needs protection (e.g., rare plant or desirable native vegetation)…use a selective herbicide (e.g., sethoxydim for grasses, clopyralid for knapweed, triclopyr for others).

5) Plant is known to be consumed by domestic grazers (e.g., knapweed) and the habitat is suitable for them …use sheep or goats. 5) Plant has a known, approved biological control agent (e.g., knapweed or purple loosestrife); pending State and/or federal permit approval: 6 5) Plant does not have a known, approved biological control agent and/or domestic grazers are not an option (e.g., all other herbaceous species): 8

6) Biocontrol is an option…introduce biocontrol agents. 6) Biocontrol is not an option AND the species is garlic mustard or seedlings of swallowwort (not mature plants), the infested area does not include desirable vegetation that could be harmed by fire, and consultation with fire manager indicates efficacy of prescribed fire at this site… use prescribed fire. 6) Biocontrol is not an option AND the species is not garlic mustard or seedlings of swallowwort OR the site is not suitable for prescribed fire: 7

7) Adjacent vegetation is either underground (e.g., in early spring) or does not need protection (e.g., other non-native plants) AND the target plant can be effectively controlled by a non- selective herbicide …use a non-selective herbicide (a glyphosate product). 7) Adjacent vegetation needs protection (e.g., rare plant or desirable native vegetation)…use a selective herbicide (e.g., sethoxydim for grasses, clopyralid for knapweed, triclopyr for others).

8) Adjacent vegetation is either underground (e.g., in early spring) or does not need protection (e.g., other non-native plants) AND the target plant can be effectively controlled by a non- selective herbicide …use a non-selective herbicide (e.g., a glyphosate product); for extensive roadside infestations, broadcast herbicide or repetitive mowing may be considered. 8) Adjacent vegetation needs protection (e.g., rare plant or desirable vegetation)… use a selective herbicide (e.g., sethoxydim for grasses, clopyralid for knapweed, triclopyr for others); for extensive roadside infestations, broadcast herbicide or repetitive mowing may be considered, as long as desirable sensitive resources can be protected.

9) Infestation is a small patch of seedlings (e.g., < 50 stems) of any woody species …use manual control methods. 9) Infestation is a large patch of seedlings (e.g., ≥ 50 stems) of any woody species: 10 9) Infestation is of plants larger than seedlings: 12

10) Species is common or glossy buckthorn, AND infested area does not include desirable vegetation that could be harmed by fire AND consultation with fire manager indicates

GMNF NNIP Treatment Decision Guide Page 2 efficacy of prescribed fire at this site… use prescribed fire to control seedlings only (not mature shrubs). 10) Species is multiflora rose and the habitat is suitable for domestic grazing …use sheep or goats. 10) Species is any other NNIP, OR above conditions are not met: 11

11) Adjacent vegetation is either underground (e.g., in early spring) or does not need protection (e.g., other non-native plants) AND the target plant can be effectively controlled by a non- selective herbicide …use a non-selective herbicide (e.g., a glyphosate product); for extensive roadside infestations, broadcast herbicide or repetitive mowing may be considered. 11) Adjacent vegetation is either above-ground or needs protection (e.g., rare plant or desirable native vegetation)…use a selective herbicide (e.g., triclopyr); for extensive roadside infestations, broadcast herbicide or repetitive mowing may be considered, as long as desirable sensitive resources can be protected.

12) Infestation is small (e.g., < 20 stems) and relatively isolated, AND/OR stems are < 1 cm in diameter OR < 0.5 meters tall … use manual/mechanical control methods. 12) Infestation is larger (e.g., ≥ 20 stems) OR there are several small infestations in close proximity (e.g., several small infestations are visible from one location) AND/OR stems are ≥ 1 cm in diameter OR ≥ 0.5 meters tall… use a combination of manual/mechanical and herbicide (e.g., cut-stump, basal bark, or frill applications; in general, glyphosate products will be used for cut-stump and frill applications, and triclopyr products will be used in basal bark applications); for extensive roadside infestations, broadcast herbicide or repetitive mowing may be considered.

13) Species may be controlled by mechanical means, including repetitive treatments…use mower or weed whip. 13) Species is not likely to be controlled by mechanical means: 8

GMNF NNIP Treatment Decision Guide Page 3