Raszka Shelley

From: Gallagher Chuck Sent: Friday, March 27, 2015 9:50 AM To: Raszka Shelley Subject: FW: testimony on HB 2183 Attachments: Cal-IPCNews_Winter2015.pdf

From: Jason Giessow [ mailto:[email protected] ] Sent: Friday, March 27, 2015 9:49 AM To: Gallagher Chuck Subject: testimony on HB 2183

Hi Chuck-

I was the primary author on this Impact Assessment for CA. It is posted at this web site: http://www.cal-ipc.org/ip/research/arundo/index.php

Basically- no one should be growing Arundo, it is destroying riverine systems in CA and Texas. There are entire conferences about how to control Arundo and tamarisk (the Deadly Duo).

In the report is a CBA for coastal watersheds in CA and estimates $380 million dollars in damage .

It destroys habitat- but also severely impacts flooding, fire, and water (the impact report has a chapter on each).

That is why folks from both sides of the isle work on eradicating this plant. Planting it for commercial use is exceedingly dangerous, should be banned, or bonded at very high levels. CA has spent about $100 million dollars dealing with Arundo and its impacts (mostly state bond funds dealing with water: conservation, conveyance, and improvement). New state funding (Proposition 1) for water conservation and river conveyance will likely increase state funding for Arundo control to over $200 million dollars. Don’t let Oregon follow this trajectory.

This recent article (attached- page 10) on the Salinas River Arundo program is one example of the impacts caused by Arundo, the complicated regulatory approval required to work on the issue, the high cost of the program, and most important- the farmers and landowners who pay the price for the impacts caused by Arundo (flooding, less water, fire, etc….).

Don’t let commercial interests saddle other landowners and the public with the consequences of introducing Arundo to your river systems.

Jason Giessow

______Jason Giessow, Principal Ecologist Dendra INC.

DENDRA Inc. [email protected] Office/cell phone: (760) 207-9066

1 Vol. 23, No. 1 Winter 2015 Cal-IPC News Protecting California’s Natural Areas from Wildland Weeds

Newsletter of the California Invasive Plant Council

Two rare species: Myrtle silverspot butterfly on INSIDE a coyote mint plant adjacent to an area where European beachgrass was removed. Photo by European beachgrass removal at Point Reyes p. 4 Point Reyes National Seashore. Cross-border collaboration in the State of Jefferson p. 6 Delta collaboration p. 7 Report from Tamarisk Beetle Workshop p. 9 Arundo on the Salinas River p.10 EDRR reports from around the state p.12 From the Director’s Desk Intrinsic or Instrumental? By Doug Johnson Cal-IPC 1442-A Walnut Street, #462 Berkeley, CA 94709 ph (510) 843-3902 fax (510) 217-3500 he modern conservation movement is rooted in an ethical belief that the intrinsic www.cal-ipc.org [email protected] Tvalue of wildlife and wild places—those “area[s] where the earth and its commu- A California 501(c)3 nonprofit organization nity of life are untrammeled by man” as the National Park Service’s Organic Act puts Protecting California’s lands and waters from ecologically-damaging invasive plants it—make them worth protecting. through science, education, and policy. And during the last century, philanthropic foundations funded environmental organizations to do just that: protect wildlife and wild places. But in recent years, it has STAFF become clear that traditional conservation, important as it is, only gets us so far. The Doug Johnson, Executive Director Elizabeth Brusati, Senior Scientist problems are so large, from climate change to population growth, that conservation Agustín Luna, Director of Finance & Administration efforts need to be orders of magnitude stronger to be successful. At the same time, our Bertha McKinley, Program Assistant cultural relationship with wild places is evolving, and not necessarily in a way that sup- Dana Morawitz, Program Manager for GIS and Regional Conservation ports traditional conservation. We need to engage today’s and tomorrow’s Californians in the work that needs to be done. But how? DIRECTORS A recent report (“Conservation Horizons”, www.calandtrusts.org) examines Jason Casanova, President Council for Watershed Health everything from how Millenials differ from previous generations to trends in pollina- Jennifer Funk, Vice-President tion. A key finding: “Conservation may be best positioned to receive funding when it Chapman University helps solve other public priorities and problems—urban parks, improved health, food Steve Schoenig, Treasurer California Department of Fish and Wildlife security, climate adaptation.” These are the issues people care about. Jutta Burger, Secretary These issues represent our collective self-interest in a healthy environment, what is Irvine Ranch Conservancy termed “instrumental” value as opposed to the intrinsic value of traditional conserva- Morgan Ball Wildlands Conservation Science tion. Speaking in terms that tap into our self-interest does help people understand how Tim Buonaccorsi conservation impacts their life. And putting conservation into economic terms can RECON Environmental, Inc. help politicians decide to do the right thing. But does that backfire when it comes to Gina Darin California Department of Water Resources protecting wildlife or a wild place where there are no clear practical benefits? Jason Giessow The debate has consumed plenty of energy over the years. In a recent opinion piece Dendra, Inc. in the journal Nature (Nov. 5, 2014), 240 signatories proposed that we stop arguing Elise Gornish UC Davis, Dept. of Plant Sciences the relative merits of these approaches: “We propose a unified and diverse conservation Shawn Kelly ethic; one that recognizes and accepts all values of nature, from intrinsic to instrumen- Southern California Wetlands Recovery Project tal, and welcomes all philosophies justifying nature protection and restoration, from Drew Kerr Invasive Spartina Project ethical to economic, and from aesthetic to utilitarian.” Cal-IPC agrees—all arguments Annabelle Kleist are valid, and we need them all—and this will be an evolving part of our messaging in Capitol Impact Dan Knapp the future. Los Angeles Conservation Corps John Knapp The Nature Conservancy CNPS Turns Fifty! Virginia Matzek Santa Clara University Congratulations to the California Native David McNeill Plant Society for 50 strong years of conserva- Baldwin Hills Conservancy tion. Their recent Conservation Conference STUDENT LIAISONS in San Jose drew close to 1,000 attendees and Marina LaForgia UC Davis featured a range of exciting talks. We look Justin Valliere forward to decades of continued collabora- UC Riverside Affiliations for identification purposes only. tion on behalf of California’s wildlands! Cal-IPC News Winter 2015 - Vol. 23, No. 1 Editors: Doug Johnson & Elizabeth Brusati CNPS celebrated its 50th anniversary during Published by the California Invasive Plant Council. Articles may be reprinted with permission. Previous issues are the conference in San Jose, featuring stimulating archived at www.cal-ipc.org. Mention of commercial products does not imply endorsement by Cal-IPC. speakers, field trips, and a banquet with delicious Submissions are welcome. We reserve the right to edit desserts. Photo by Dana Morawitz content. 2 Cal-IPC News Winter 2015 Cal-IPC Updates currents. The Governor’s proposed budget would increase funding for hyacinth Symposium 2015 set. Mark your WildlandWildland control by $3 million. Contra Costa Times, calendars for Oct. 28-31 at the San Diego Jan. 26. Convention Center! We’ll have a special Weed News concurrent track on Habitat Conservation Weed News Smartphone training works. Citizen Planning. Call for abstracts in April, scientists trained using smartphones are registration open in June. as effective at invasive plant recognition “Bioinvasions in a Changing World.” as those trained in person, according to Northwest submits eradication pro- Cal-IPC served on the team of authors a recent study. Smartphone training also posal. Working with Cal-IPC, partners publishing this new report for the has a broader reach and is less expensive. in Humboldt and Del Norte counties National Invasive Species Council. The Public Library of Science (PLOSOne), completed an application for funding to report describes linkages between invasive Nov. 2014. the state’s Wildlife Conservation Board. species and climate change, with implica- The project eradicates knotweeds and Guidance for early detection. A new tions for natural resource management. other incipient weeds from the region. report from the National Park Service www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/docs/toolkit/ and US Geological Survey guides natural National standard for weed lists. At the bioinvasions_in_a_changing_world.pdf resource managers in detecting new inva- April meeting of ASTM International, PlayCleanGo. Cal-IPC joined the sive plant populations through an active, Cal-IPC will lead PlayCleanGo campaign to make hikers directed monitoring program. Decision a team from the and other recreationists aware of prevent- trees and flow charts help determine National Association ing the movement of invasive species. which methods to choose and when to of Invasive Plant www.playcleango.org use them. USGS Scientific Investigations Councils in presenting Report 2012-5162. a draft standard for CalWeedTalk. Post job announcements, assessing environmen- weed alerts, or questions to our revived tal impacts of invasive email discussion list. Sign up at www. plants. cal-ipc.org/resources/listservs.php. Tried out online Wildland-safe New board members. Gina Darin (CA landscaping. For CALGreen, the state’s Dept. of Water Resources), Drew Kerr WHIPPET yet? building code, Cal-IPC proposed a tiered (Coastal Conservancy’s Invasive Spartina structure for keeping invasives out of Project) and Steve Schoenig (CA Dept. of The powerful tool for prioritizing landscaping. Builders would get credit for Fish and Wildlife) join the Cal-IPC Board invasive plant populations is now not using species listed by PlantRight, and of Directors. Many thanks to departing available in an online version. Select additional credit for not using any species board members Doug Gibson (San Elijo population data from Calflora, define listed by Cal-IPC. Lagoon Conservancy) and Kim Hayes your area of concern, and set param- (Elkhorn Slough Foundation). New stu- eters for your situation. WHIPPET New eucalyptus assessment completed. dent liaisons Marina LaForgia (UC Davis) will rank the species based on their Cal-IPC’s Tasmanian bluegum assessment and Justin Valliere (UC Riverside) step impact, isolation, proximity to has been updated. Though impacts are in for Bridget Hilbig (UC Riverside) and vectors of spread, effectiveness of moderate, overall invasiveness (capacity Meghan Skaer-Thomason (UC Davis). control, and other factors. Try it for for spread) is limited. Facebook. Another way to stay in touch yourself, or stay tuned for Cal-IPC Cal-IPC on the road. Lots of conferences with news from Cal-IPC. We recently webinars on using the tool! this spring! Cal-IPC staff and members surpassed 1000 “Likes”. Need a prioritization but don’t have organized the Invasives track at the CNPS time to do it yourself? Hire Cal-IPC Conservation Conference in January, to do it. Contact us for details at exhibited at the Society for Range Other News [email protected]. Management conference in February, and will be at the California Council of Land Invasives in President’s agenda. Invasives www.whippet.cal-ipc.org. Trust’s conference in March. received high visibility in the President’s climate resilience plan for natural re- Online WHIPPET released. WHIPPET sources, released in October. (See excerpt Remember to check your member- provided two National Wildlife Refuges on p. 8.) ship status on the mailing label of with prioritization for invasive plant this newsletter. You can renew online Water hyacinth thrives in California’s eradication. Try it yourself at whippet. or with the enclosed envelope. Thank drought. The Delta’s water hyacinth cal-ipc.org, or hire Cal-IPC to help you you for your membership! (see announcement at right). problems are even worse this year, with higher water temperatures and slower

Cal-IPC News Winter 2015 3 Removing European beachgrass at Point Reyes

By Lorraine Parsons, Point Reyes National Seashore. Photos by Point Reyes National Seashore.

here are many subtle – and not- Tso-subtle – threats to our native ecosystems. Dense stands of European beachgrass (Ammophila arenaria) have be- come a common sight to visitors at Point Reyes National Seashore’s Limantour Beach and are perhaps even considered a part of the natural landscape. (I will even admit to once taking a holiday photo of our son amidst the seemingly very scenic flowing tussocks of green grass -- some- thing which I am chagrined to admit now!) However, this non-native, invasive species from Europe and its succulent counterpart, iceplant (Carpobrotus edulis) have insidiously encroached over the years upon some very threatened dune habitats at the Seashore. These areas are key to survival for many common and rare spe- cies, including some that are threatened Biggest sand toys ever. Excavators were used to remove rhizomes and to bury sand or endangered. contaminated with rhizomes deeply enough that it could not regenerate. These species were already at Point by supporting much higher densities of perhaps more effective – than hand Reyes when the Seashore was established native deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) removal ones, particularly for larger in 1963. But it wasn’t until the park de- that have been shown to eat as much areas. Excavators were able to dig deeper veloped its first large-scale vegetation map as 82% of this species’ seed, thereby and than bury and “cap” the rhizome- in the 1990s that the park recognized threatening long-term viability of many contaminated materials with clean sand. the extent of the problem. By that time, of the Seashore’s lupine populations Because of this success, the park submit- areas dominated by European beachgrass (Dangremond et al. 2010). ted a proposal to the federal government and iceplant accounted for more than In 2001, the Seashore embarked to fund a much more ambitious restora- 60% of the 2,200 acres of coastal dune, on a program of dune and coastal bluff tion project that would mechanically bluff, and scrub in the Seashore (NPS restoration at Abbotts Lagoon. Initially, remove 132 net acres in an approximately 2009). The continued encroachment of removal efforts focused on manually 300 gross acre project area just south of these species not only resulted ultimately digging up European beachgrass, which Abbotts Lagoon. Unfortunately, bids for in dense monocultures that supported has deep rhizomes that can extend more the project came back extremely high, so fewer native dune plant species, but it than 12 feet. Because it was difficult to the project area was reduced to 80 net had potential repercussions on other dig deeper than 1.5 to 3 feet manually, the acres (190-acre gross). species as well, including the federally beachgrass rapidly regrew. In 2007, one The first phase of the Abbotts Lagoon endangered Myrtle’s silverspot butterfly park staff member estimated that 20% Coastal Dune Restoration Project moved (Speyeria zerene myrtleae) that feeds on of the treated area re-grew within as little forward in early 2011. Additional phases the nectar on many dune plants and the as six months, and some areas required were conducted in fall 2011 and 2012 federally threatened Western snowy plover as many 15- 20 repeat treatments before under a separate compliance effort to (Charadrinus alexandrinus nivosus) that control appeared to be achieved (Charles try and complete the remaining 52 acres nests in unvegetated shorelines along the 2007, Peterson 2004). of the original 132-acre project area: foredunes. Beachgrass can creep out into These issues encouraged the Seashore these focused on chemical treatment of foreshore areas, and it provides cover for to explore other approaches for removing European beachgrass, with mechanical or potential predators of eggs, chicks, and European beachgrass. In 2004, a 20-acre manual removal in or adjacent to wetlands adults. In addition, beachgrass indirectly mechanical project was conducted in the and adjacent to pastures managed by impacted endangered dune plants such as same vicinity as the hand removal ones ranchers as organic. Tidestrom’s lupine (Lupinus tidestromii) and appeared to be more practical – and Pre- and post-restoration monitoring

4 Cal-IPC News Winter 2015 show that the project appears to be by creating new habitat, but it appears to three of those were located either in or successful from an ecological standpoint. have benefitted existing populations of adjacent to the restoration area (Campbell In mechanical areas, average cover of endangered species. Most of the European 2012). In 2013, the nest attempts in or European beachgrass in restoration areas beachgrass-dominated mechanical directly adjacent to the restoration area plummeted from more than 80% to 0%, removal areas surrounded a large area of climbed to six of the 21 that year, and, with the very sparse amount of non- native dunes that supported one of the in 2014, those numbers jumped to 20 of native cover now remaining being largely largest Tidestrom’s lupine populations. 45 nests (Campbell, in press). However, European sea rocket (Cakile maritima). Prior to restoration, many of the racemes hatching and fledging success continue to However, native species cover also or flowering stalks of Tidestrom’s lupine be problem in general, with only 10 of the dropped precipitously immediately post- at Abbotts were eaten by deer mice, 20 nests hatching and only three of the restoration from an average of 31% to 0% with consumption ranging from 38% 10 fledging chicks (Campbell, in press). and has increased little in the three years to 94% across a six-year observation Ironically, in 2014, one of the plovers since. While it rained considerably during period (Pardini and Knight 2013). decided to lay its eggs directly on top of a construction in 2012, subsequent years Following restoration, raceme predation Tidestrom’s lupine! have been very dry. In addition, spring rates dropped substantially (Pardini and Ultimately, it’s too soon yet to make winds have been quite high. The net Knight 2013, E. Pardini, pers. comm.). a prognosis on the long-term success of result is that areas restored mechanically While rates had dropped slightly prior to this project. So many factors can affect have very little plant establishment even restoration, these results do suggest that success, and many of them are com- after three years, with beach pea (Lathyrus removal of beachgrass from the perimeter pletely external to the restoration process, littoralis), beach evening primrose of this population has reduced preda- including short-term and long-term (Camissonia cheiranthifolia), beach bursage tion pressure. Numbers of Tidestrom’s weather patterns and regional trends in (Ambrosia chamissonis), Douglas’s blue- lupine in this area have increased from plover abundance and population health. grass (Poa douglasii), and the non-native approximately 150,000 plants in 2011 to However, park staff are certainly delighted European sea-rocket among the hardy few approximately 200,000 plants in 2013- with preliminary results of this project to persist. Winds have buried most of the 2014, with 20% of the 2014 plants being and hope to build on its seeming success park’s attempts at revegetation, as well as even some of the adjacent native dune, wetland, scrub, and grassland habitats. However, one species appears to have adapted to this harsh environment quite well. By August 2012, biologists found one of the endangered dune plants germinating in the restored areas well before any fall or winter rains. By 2012, 15,884 Tidestrom’s lupine (Lupinus tidestromii; FE) individuals were counted, covering approximately 15.8 of the 80 mechanically restored acres in varying densities (Johnson et al. 2012). These numbers continued to grow in subsequent years to approximately 20,500 individu- Seaside wallflower (Erysimum concinnum), a CNPS-listed rare plant, with construction als in 2013 and approximately 74,000 equipment in the background. in 2014, 23,000 of which were adult plants. Lupine also expanded in areal seedlings. This increase appears to have through implementing other management extent, colonizing most portions of the happened even though some of the lupine actions to benefit listed species, as well mechanically restored dunes and several plants have been buried by remobilized as through proceeding with future dune of the areas treated with herbicide. While sand from adjacent restored areas. restoration efforts in the Seashore. other rare plants did not respond quite as Another species that may have benefit- dramatically to the restoration, in 2014, ted from dune restoration is the snowy Literature Cited approximately 900 beach layia (Layia car- plover. In general, nesting attempts at the Campbell, C. 2012. Monitoring Western nosa, FE) and 1,500 curlyleaf monardella Seashore are believed to have generally snowy plovers at Point Reyes National Seashore, (Monardella sinuata ssp. nigrescens; CNPS declined since a record high of 74 nests Marin County, California. 2012 Annual Report. List 1B.2) established within both the in 1987. The years prior to and during Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/SFAN/ NRTR. mechanical and herbicide treated areas. restoration saw only 15 nesting attempts The project has not only boosted the for the entire park. In 2012, nesting ...continued page 14 park’s endangered species recovery efforts attempts plummeted to seven, although Cal-IPC News Winter 2015 5 Cross-border collaboration in the State of Jefferson By Carri Pirosko, Noxious Weed Program, Oregon Department of Agriculture

Carri served northern California as a state Agricultural Biologist (and Cal-IPC as a board member) before moving north. She is now the Integrated Weed Management Coordinator for Southwestern Oregon. he power of cross-border collabora- Ttion is alive in the State of Jefferson, an area in the far reaches of northern California and the southern-most counties of Oregon. Self-proclaimed Jeffersonians still have aspirations of forming the 51st state, autonomous from what is perceived as urban-focused leg- islation from the capitols in Sacramento and Salem. Natural resource managers along the California and Oregon border see op- portunities in working together despite separation by a state line, differing state laws, and varying weed priority lists. Partners from Roseburg to Redding have formed an “I-5 Working Group” that Alyssum species (A. murale and A. corsicum) are the light-colored (actually bright yellow) meets annually to discuss cross-border plants in the foreground, near Cave Junction in 2008 prior to initiation of the eradication invasive and noxious weed issues. Other campaign. The Oregon State Weed Board listed the species as A-rated weeds in 2009. partnerships are cultivated to help stem Photo by Kelly Amsberry, Oregon Dept. of Agriculture, Native Plant Conservation Program. the tide of further invasion. Biological control is one area that has rallied partners. (Cross-border collabora- and Del Norte Weed Management Areas and a very invasive mustard, yellowtuft tion has become even more crucial due to prioritize weeds for early detection alyssum, have resonated with California to the loss of California’s Weed Biological watch lists. Cal-IPC is seeking funds for partners. Likewise, tales of leafy spurge Control Program in 2011.) Two examples, early detection and control of these and and perennial pepperweed challenges have one from either side of the border, other early invaders, partially based on registered with western Oregon partners. exemplify this partnership. distribution and impacts documented Looking towards the future, cross- First, the Siskiyou County Agricultural across the border in Oregon. Japanese border I-5 partners have developed a list Commissioner’s Office in California knotweed and garlic mustard have devas- of long-term prevention ideas, includ- has secured permits to conduct a spring tated many western Oregon waterways, ing: an outreach campaign to promote trial release of a pathogen that attacks elevating these species for management regular washing of Departments of dyer’s woad, a major weed in the region. status in northern California. Likewise, Transportation mowing equipment; map- Should the pathogen become established Southern Oregon partners are addressing ping of weed-free areas for staging of fire in California, Oregon will follow with several early-stage Arundo and Cape-ivy camps along the I-5 corridor; strategically- releases north of the border. patches, based on decades of lessons placed equipment cleaning stations; Second, the mother lode of rush learned from California partners. yellow starthistle and rush skeletonweed skeletonweed emanates from the Roseburg Beyond the I-5 Working Group, push-back campaigns; and a dyer’s woad area southward into California. Several partners attend Weed Management Area border patrol campaign. Exactly which biocontrol agents have been released on meetings in both states, keeping the of these concepts takes root will be played the Oregon side of the border; the latest communication flowing. Email com- out in the years to come. is a moth that has shown results in other munication throughout the year helps to As the saying goes, “Weeds know no western states. keep early detection and rapid response boundaries,” and neither should cross- At California’s northern border, Cal- timely. Battles in southern Oregon with a border collaboration. IPC has been working with the Siskiyou new aquatic invader, yellow floating heart, Contact Carri at [email protected].

6 Cal-IPC News Winter 2015 Early detection leads to collaboration in the Delta

By Shakoora Azimi-Gaylon, Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy

n 2013, a large-leaved plant was organizations Ireported growing along the banks of a to facilitate State Parks property near Walnut Grove, discussions CA. Samples were collected in 2014 of invasive and confirmed to be taro root Colocasia( species issues esculenta). This plant had not been previ- including ously collected in the wild in California, information so a weed alert was prepared and sent manage- out to determine if the species is more ment, widespread in the San Joaquin Delta or data gaps, elsewhere in California. At that time there research was no organization or agency tracking priorities, invasive plants throughout all the counties and when in the Delta which could be notified. possible, In order to address this gap, leverage the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta funding and Conservancy (deltaconservancy.ca.gov) resources to convened a workgroup to coordinate benefit all and share information for effective participants. invasive species management in the Participating Delta. In California no one agency has agencies Taro root (on right) can be confused with the native arrowroot lead responsibility for managing all include (Sagittaria spp., on left). Below, taro root at Delta Meadows. Photos by invasive species. Several agencies work to the Delta Ramona Robison, California State Parks. control the different species. The Invasive Conservancy, Species Council of California represents Department the highest level of authority in the of Water state government regarding the invasive Resources, species. The Council is an inter-agency Department organization that provides guidelines for of Fish and cost effective and environmentally sound Wildlife, state activities regarding invasive species. California The Department of Fish and Wildlife is State Parks responsible for preventing introductions Division of of alien species into the ecosystem and Boating and for managing non-native fishes that may Waterways, harm native populations. The Division Department of Boating and Waterways of California of Food and State Parks is responsible for controlling Agriculture certain aquatic weeds. The US Coast (also repre- Guard regulates shipping and, in theory, senting the focus is data management and sharing ballast water discharge (as does the Marine Invasive Species Council of California), data sharing with scientists, resources Invasive Species Program of the California US Department of Agriculture, US Fish managers and the public to facilitate State Lands Commission). A California and Wildlife Service, and UC Davis. effective control, public education, and Aquatic Invasive Species Management The coordination group met twice outreach. Plan was adopted in 2008, but it requires in 2014 and plans quarterly meetings in For more information please contact complex coordination among agencies for 2015. To date the group has discussed Shakoora Azimi-Gaylon at sagaylon@ its implementation and no implementa- objectives of this coordination effort deltaconservancy.ca.gov or 916-375-2086. tion has occurred yet. which include: strategic planning, educa- The goal of this coordination is to pro- tion and outreach, funding, research and vide a forum for connecting agencies and data management. The group’s current

Cal-IPC News Winter 2015 7 Mark your calendar for the... 2015 Cal-IPC Symposium San Diego Convention Center Oct. 28-31, 2015

www.cal-ipc.org/symposia

President’s plan for climate resilience cites invasives resident Obama formed a Council on harm. A program designed to identify thereby improving the resilience of PClimate Preparedness and Resilience, and find invasive species before they have priority landscapes and aquatic areas. This and tasked them with identifying prior- spread, and eliminate them before they will include the development of a plan ity actions. Their report was released in have caused significant harm, is both for creating an emergency response fund October. of 2014. The excerpt below ecologically effective and cost effective. to increase the capacity of interagency commits to a coordinated Early Detection Within twelve months, the Secretary of and inter-jurisdictional teams to tackle and Rapid Response plan with an emer- the Interior, working with other members emerging invasive species issues across gency fund within the next year. Cal-IPC of the National Invasive Species Council, landscapes and jurisdictions.” will be working with other groups to including Department of Commerce The report, “Priority Agenda: support federal agencies in fulfilling this (NOAA), EPA, and USDA, will work Enhancing the Climate Resilience of mandate. with states and tribes to develop a frame- America’s Natural Resources,” is available “One of the most pervasive threats to work for a national Early Detection and from the White House website at www. resilience is the establishment and spread Rapid Response (EDRR) program that whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/ of invasive species – these non-native will build on existing programs to assist enhancing_climate_resilience_of_ameri- plants, animals, and pathogens not states and tribes in forestalling the stress cas_natural_resources.pdf. only displace native species and disrupt caused by the establishment and spread ecosystems, but also cause economic of additional invasive species populations, 8 Cal-IPC News Winter 2015 Biocontrol of saltcedar: Tamarisk Beetle Workshop

By Bill Neill, Riparian Repairs

n January 21, the Tamarisk Tamarix biocontrol moving OCoalition, based in western toward southern California Colorado, sponsored a Tamarisk Beetle by Tom Dudley, UC Santa Barbara Workshop in Phoenix. The audience of During the 2014 field season about 85, mostly from Arizona, attended the tamarisk beetles originally to learn about the history, introduction, introduced in 2006 to the Virgin spread and monitoring of the tamarisk River in St. George, UT, had made leaf beetle, a biocontrol agent introduced it to Laughlin, NV, just below Davis by USDA a decade ago. (See cover article Dam on the lower Colorado River. in the Winter 2008 issue of Cal-IPC They had progressed fairly slowly Beetles climbing along a tamarisk News. ) The USDA research unit that along Lake Mohave owing to a sparse branch. Photo by Tom Dudley developed the biocontrol is located in distribution of their host plants, and Albany, CA, and is partnering with beetles over-wintered adjacent to Big Cal-IPC on development of biocontrol Yellow-Billed Cuckoo. But because the Bend State Park in Nevada. Below agents for other invasive plants. Major beetle is expected to move into southern this point extensive stands of tama- topics at the workshop included the Arizona from adjacent areas within several risk start up again, so I anticipate potential effects of the beetle on wildlife, years, planning is underway to clear some that the beetles will build up very including endangered bird species that tamarisk infestations mechanically and large populations in the 2015 season, nest in tamarisk, and successful riparian then plant native trees that will provide the over-wintering adults probably restoration techniques. nesting habitat after the beetle arrives. coming out in March or April and I encourage readers to view the This concern for endangered bird this year’s generations building up Tamarisk Coalition’s colorful map, posted species in southern Arizona has also probably in May or early June. This at www.tamariskcoalition.org, showing precluded federal approval for introduc- southward establishment is the result the beetle’s spread across the western tion of the beetle to southern California; of the beetles synchronizing their United States during the past decade. but after the beetle reaches California diapause—insect-style hiberna- Since introduction to the Colorado River along the Colorado River near Needles, tion—with day length at increasingly watershed near Moab in 2004 and St. possibly as early as next year, transporting southern latitudes. George in 2006, the beetle has spread the beetle to coastal and desert watersheds Big Bend State Park is only about downstream through the Grand Canyon of southern California should become 10 miles from the California border and along Lake Mead to the southern tip feasible. (near Avi Casino and Ft. Mojave) of Nevada; and it been introduced to the Among the information I learned at so I anticipate that we will have Arkansas River, Pecos and Rio Grande the conference: establishment on the lower Colorado watersheds to the east. Though not • A successful introduction requires River within California this year, shown on the map, the beetle has been hundreds of beetles, collected and and possibly through the whole of introduced in the Cache Creek watershed transported as adults, not as eggs or Mojave Valley to the Needles area, in northern California as well. larvae. including Topock Marsh. The Tamarisk Coalition’s website also • Some native leaf beetles are similar We have developed the male- shows photos of tamarisk trees defoliated and not easily distinguished from the produced aggregation pheromone by the beetle after three to four years of tamarisk beetle (Diorhabda sp.) which attracts both male and female activity. The persistent defoliation re- • Collecting tamarisk beetles involves beetles, and have been using that duces the tree’s vitality, curtails flowering, brushing them off green foliage, so compound on sticky traps to detect and may eventually cause death, allowing that they drop into buckets or onto new movements of beetles. I’ll be set- native shrubs and trees to re-establish. tarps. ting those up again in May or June at The tamarisk leaf beetle has not been • Tamarisk foliage suffering herbivory sites along the lower Colorado (and introduced to the Gila River watershed emits chemicals, and feeding adults in other areas, including the Owens of southern Arizona, out of concern emit pheromones, that attract beetles River, Ivanpah and the Mojave over the impact on endangered birds to green foliage from long distances. that nest in tamarisk, including the ...continued page 14 ...continued page 14 Southwestern Willow Flycatcher and Cal-IPC News Winter 2015 9 Canes of Wrath: Farmers and conservationists working together to transform the Salinas River By Ilima Segoviano and Paul Robins, Resource Conservation District of Monterey County; Jason Giessow, Dendra, Inc.

he Salinas River is a Ana, Carlsbad, Ventura, San Tdynamic hydrological Dieguito, San Diego and system that ranks as the others) follow this model. ninth largest in California, With support from running 175 miles from MCAC, RCDMC engaged San Luis Obispo to Dendra, Inc. to set this ap- Monterey Bay. Along the proach in motion by obtain- way it meanders through ing mapping data (from vast tracts of agricultural Cal-IPC surveys), permits, row crops supporting one and funding. This process of the largest agricultural took three years and included: centers in the state, as well • Program development as numerous rural towns through careful coordina- and urban centers. tion with relevant local The river is also, unfor- organizations, agencies and tunately, the second most landowners, Arundo-invaded watershed • Pursuit of numer- in the state with over ous grant sources (ARRA 1,470 gross acres (Cal-IPC stimulus, Integrated Regional mapping data 2012). As is Water Management, Natural widely recognized, Arundo Resources Conservation causes severe flooding and Service (NRCS)) and finally fluvial modification of acquisition of $1.1 million invaded riverine systems, in grant funding from the particularly when stands Wildlife Conservation reach the size of those Board (matched by local found on the Salinas River. government and landowner No one knows this better resources), than those that live and • Posting CEQA docu- work on the river. mentation (for a Mitigated Addressing the issue Negative Declaration) and clearly requires a collab- acquiring a range of necessary orative approach, and the permits and authorizations Resource Conservation Dense Arundo donax stands in the Salinas River (above) and stream including: Army Corps of District of Monterey land management crew confering next to the arundo mower with Engineers (consultation), County (RCDMC), widespread mulched arund canes (below). Photos by Paul Robins US Fish and Wildlife Service Monterey County Ag (Technical Assistance Letter), Commissioners office to initiate and represented two separate National Oceanic and (MCAC), Monterey County Water but complimentary programs. The first Atmospheric Administration/National Resources Agency (MCWRA), California program, led by the RCD, is based on Marine Fisheries Service (Technical Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB), and what is becoming a standard approach Assistance Letter), State Water Resource The Nature Conservancy (TNC) came for watershed-based Arundo control: Conservation Board (National Pollutant together to work with local landowner develop a watershed-scale plan, and then Discharge Elimination System permit), and agricultural industry groups. get programmatic permits to start work and Cal. Dept. Fish and Wildlife (1600 This past year a substantial portion of at the top and work your way down. A Lake and Streambed Alteration permit). the river (>15 miles) had initial Arundo number of programs in other watersheds Then, what is usually a difficult task— treatments. This achievement took years (San Luis Rey, Santa Margarita, Santa getting permission from landowners along

10 Cal-IPC News Winter 2015 10 miles of river—took only days! This was a positive outcome of the long-stand- ing collaborative approach maintained during program development. The RCD had already built relationships with key landowners and farmers who wanted the improved flow conveyance thatArundo control provides. Besides, there’s not much love lost on Arundo. The second program is a demonstra- tion project of the Salinas River Stream Maintenance Program (SMP), which focused on improving channel flows with managed secondary channels and Arundo control, in coordination with the RCD’s Arundo program. This program, fully funded and implemented by landowners (with permits and planning funded by TNC and MCWRA), was launched by a collaboration between TNC, MCWRA, Conservation Collaborative, the Salinas River Channel Coalition (landowners) and the Grower Shipper Association of Central California. The program worked on 11.5 miles of river in the first year at various downstream locations. Working together, the two programs will build and expand to cover the entire river at a faster rate than has ever been achieved by an Arundo control program. The entire river could be under active treatment in five to ten years! In fall 2014, the RCDMC initiated reduction efforts on private lands in the Greenfield area of the Salinas River using ACS Habitat Management and Washburn Grove Management. Foliar herbicide this approach will force mowed plants consulted with the SMP on Arundo applications were originally planned, but to re-sprout with lush new growth that treatment methods and provided the due to the severe drought conditions and will respond much better to the herbicide coordination of biological monitoring for resulting dormancy and early dieback when it is treated in late summer/fall. that work in addition to the monitoring of aboveground biomass, the first year Being as persistent as it is, Arundo was required for the WCB-funded work. treatment method was shifted to mowing observed re-growing in the early parts This program will expand to cover to reduce standing growth. Being flexible of December after mowing ended, but much of the river and will aid in long in treatment approach is critical, and one nature provided extra bang for our buck term re-treatments of Arundo, a critical has to build this into permits beforehand. because these re-sprouts were killed off component in achieving eradication at the The dieback of aboveground Arundo by a short bout of frost in January 2015, watershed scale. biomass is an opportunity comparable to meaning further reduction in energy Over the next five years the grant a fire where biomass is ‘reduced for free’. reserves in the below-ground root tissues with the Wildlife Conservation Board Here the program got three years of ex- for no extra cost! will directly support follow-up herbicide treme plant stress resulting in dead canes. The SMP operated in two ‘River treatment on the acreage mowed in 2014 This was a good time to start work—hit Management Units’ along 11.5 river miles and additional acreage between the San the Arundo when it’s weak. and included treatment of over 20 acres Luis Obispo-Monterey County line Approximately 109 acres of Arundo of Arundo in the cleared bypass channels and Soledad for cumulative treatment and some individual tamarisk plants were and another 30 acres as mitigation for mowed along 4.5 miles of the Salinas early successional willow scrub removed ...continued page 14 River. During the next growing season in those channels. The RCD and Dendra Cal-IPC News Winter 2015 11 Early detection/rapid response around the state

South Coast Desert

Spotting Bitou bush (Chrysanthemoides moniflifera ssp. moniifera. Only the second population known in the state, found near the mouth of Aliso Creek in Orange County by Ron Vanderhoff, Orange County Chapter of CNPS. The plant is native to South Africa, and has become invasive in Australia and New Zealand.Photo R. Vanderhoff.

Central Sierra

Hunting Canary Island knapweed at Anza-Borrego State Park. Volutaria canariensis has been spreading in Borrego Springs for five years, doing well despite the drought. The plant is native to the Canary Islands, and not known to have been found elsewhere in the world. Volunteer Mac McNair searches out plants in a fallow field where the species has been spreading. Photo by Frank Harris.

Controlling Scotch thistle in Calaveras County. Work to eradicate incipient weed populations such as We all know that EDRR is cost-effective. It’s being put into action this one is funded by Cal-IPC through a grant from the across California as land managers and volunteer stewards identify National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Scotch thistle and control new problems right away. Cal-IPC serves as an impor- has become a major weed in northeast California. tant hub for this work, connecting those on the ground with others Photo courtesy of Kevin Wright, Calaveras County who can verify identification or help with removal. Got your own Agricultural Commissioner’s Office. EDRR story? Let us know!

12 Cal-IPC News Winter 2015 Report from Vegas: Western Weed Coordinating Committee By Doug Johnson, Cal-IPC

know, what happens in Las Vegas is compliance, we have joined others in ask- $83.5 million to the state’s economy. The Isupposed to stay in Vegas. But for the ing for a more thorough study of which figure could be well over a billion dollars annual meeting of the Western Weed program areas could lose funding under without current control efforts by state, Coordination Committee it makes more the proposal, and what the implications of county, and federal weed programs. The sense to share the information. Here are such a NEPA exclusion could be. study examined two widespread weeds, some highlights from the three-day meet- Biocontrols – Wyoming and other Scotch broom and Himalayan blackberry, ing in late November, attended by state states have opened direct channels with plus 23 species with more limited distri- weed coordinators from 15 western states, weed biocontrol researchers at CABI labs bution. Factors considered include impact including Dean Kelch of the California in Europe to develop tools for control- on agricultural commodities and loss of Department of Food and Agriculture. ling their weeds. These states send some fishing and hunting opportunities. (www. HR 3994 – the “Federal Lands $500,000/year abroad for this research oregon.gov/ODA/programs/Weeds/Pages/ Invasive Species Control” bill, authored and development. Biocontrols are key WeedsResources.aspx) by Rep. Bishop of Utah, now chair of the for getting a handle on widespread Greater Sage Grouse – There was House Committee on Natural Resources, weeds across the west, and are a focus much energetic dialogue about the proposes that 75% of all funding to of the North American Invasive Species anticipated listing of the Greater Sage federal land-managing agencies must be Managers Association (NAISMA, www. Grouse under the Endangered Species used for on-the-ground management, naisma.org). Act. Management of the bird’s leks, or and that invasive species management Oregon economic study – The breeding grounds, is already a primary get a Categorical Exclusion from NEPA. Oregon Dept. of Agriculture published factor in land management throughout Though Cal-IPC would like to see a study on the economic costs of top the Great Basin, but federal listing will additional resources for on-the-ground invasive plants. The bottom line – 25 add new requirements and protocols. management and more streamlined NEPA weeds cause an estimated annual loss of Rangeland conservationists meet in Sacramento By Dana Morawitz, Cal-IPC

he 10th Annual Rangeland Summit careers, there was a strong emphasis Favorite sessions included: Integrating Tof the California Rangeland on welcoming high school and college Ecological and Socioeconomic Factors Conservation Coalition was held in students who will lead the rangeland into Restoration Decision-Making and conjunction with the Annual Meeting of profession in the future. Outcomes; Rangeland Social Science the Society for Range Management I: Planning and Economics; (SRM), Jan. 31 to Feb. 6 in Vegetation Management and Sacramento. SRM is is the profes- Restoration; Invasive Species sional society dedicated to support- Monitoring and Management; ing those who work with rangelands Invasive Species Management: and have a commitment to their Medusahead and Cheatgrass; sustainable use. The Rangeland and, last but not least, the one Coalition brings together ranchers, day session that was the 10th conservationists, and state and Annual California Rangeland federal agencies to find common Coalition Summit, that focused ground for conserving working on Collaborative Conservation. rangelands and the plants and SRM Annual Meeting: www. animals that depend on them. rangelands.org/sacramento2015/ Cal-IPC attended the trade CA Rangeland Summit: show and 2.5 days of this action- carangeland.org/news-events/ packed annual meeting. In addition annual-summit/ to learning the latest in rangeland management technologies and hon- oring achievements in rangeland Cal-IPC News Winter 2015 13 Beachgrass from page 5 Tamarisk workshop from page 9 Beetles from page 9

Campbell, C. in press. Draft - Monitoring • The lifespan of beetles is five to six River). We’ve also started a collaboration Western snowy plovers at Point Reyes National weeks, so Colorado has two or three with Jorge Ramirez (University of Baja Seashore, Marin County, California. 2013 generations per growing season, California, Mexicali) to establish monitor- Annual Report. Natural Resource Technical whereas Texas has five to six genera- ing stations in the Colorado River Delta Report NPS/SFAN/NRTR. Campbell, C. in press. Draft - Monitoring tions per growing season. in Mexico. Western snowy plovers at Point Reyes National • In defoliated areas, birds that nor- When the beetles do move into Seashore, Marin County, California. 2014 mally nest in tamarisk trees have been southern California, land managers may Annual Report. Natural Resource Technical observed to shift to native trees and want to consider transporting them to Report NPS/SFAN/NRTR. tamarisk shrubs that have retained other target locations for saltcedar control Dangremond, E.M., E.A. Pardini, and foliage. but we urge caution to avoid surprises and T.M. Knight. 2010. Apparent competition with • Some insectivorous birds feed unintended cansequences. Over the next an invasive plant hastens the extinction of an endangered lupine. Ecology. 91(8): 2261-2271. on tamarisk beetles (and also on year or so this can be done in a coordi- Johnson, W. C., S. L. Minnick, and L. a non-native tamarisk weevil of nated fashion, with good monitoring. Parsons. 2012. Tidestrom’s lupine (Lupinus unknown origin that has less impact We will be working with desert WMAs, tidestromii) census at Abbotts Lagoon dunes and on tamarisk abundance). Cal-IPC, and state and federal partners to B Ranch – July 2012. Revised Nov. 5, 2012. • The beetles can feed on athel trees, or structure this approach. Point Reyes National Seashore, Point Reyes evergreen tamarisk (T. aphylla), but Contact Tom at [email protected]. Station, CA. NPS. 2009. Abbotts Lagoon Area Dune prefer the deciduous, brushy saltcedar Restoration Plan: Environmental Assessment. foliage. Point Reyes National Seashore, National Park • Species of the Diorhabda genus Salinas River from page 9 Service. occupy different latitude ranges in Pardini, E. A., and T. M. Knight. 2013, Eurasia, which affect their placement of a minimum of 200 acres of Arundo February 20. Memo: Benefits of dune restora- on this continent, because latitude distributed across 1,300 acres of riparian tion at Abbotts Lagoon to two federally listed endangered species, Tidestrom’s Lupine and controls day length which deter- habitat in the upper watershed. Beach Layia. mines when the beetles start winter In addition to pursuing continued Pardini, E. Professor. Washington Univ., dormancy. investments from grant sources and local St. Louis, MO. Personal communication dated volunteers, we are eager to engage Farm August 11, 2014 . Thanks to the Riverside/San Bill support through NRCS to extend Peterson, B. 2004. The Use of Heavy Bernardino Chapter of the California our work, given the significant ownership Machinery (Excavators) to Remove Ammophila by agricultural interests in the valley. To arenaria (European beachgrass) from Native Sand Native Plant Society for contributing to Dunes at Point Reyes National Seashore. Pp my travel expenses; and to Tom Dudley date, aligning local farmers with funding 58–61 in Proceedings of the California Invasive with UC Santa Barbara for additional support from NRCS for Arundo control Plant Council Symposium. information. has remained a challenge, but based on successes elsewhere, we hope to build a Contact Lorraine Parsons at Lorraine_ Contact Bill Neill at [email protected]. pathway to more substantially engage [email protected]. NRCS in this broad partnership for work that meets a multitude of resource challenges in a river system that desper- ately needs the help and a community so motivated to do the work. Contact Paul Robins at paul.robins@ rcdmonterey.org.

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14 Cal-IPC News Winter 2015 Thank You for Supporting our Work!

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[New and renewing] Stewardship Circle ($1,000) Edith Allen, Riverside Anonymous Richard Buxbaum, in honor of Tamia Marg, Berkeley Lincoln Smith, Albany Champion ($500) Shelagh & Bob Brodersen, Berkeley Carolyn Johnson, Sebastopol Daniel & Lynn Kellog, Gold Hill, OR Partner ($250) Thomas Anderson, Point Reyes Jutta Burger, Santa Ana Darlene Chirman, Santa Barbara A. Crawford Cooley, Novato Craig & Sally Falkenhagen, Atherton Judy Fenerty, San Jose Supporters: Tamia Marg, Berkeley ACS Habitat Management Barbara Sattler, Rancho Palos Verdes Cabrillo National Monument Claremont Canyon Conservancy CNPS Sierra Foothills Chapter Pesticide Research Institute County of Lake Agricultural Placer County Dept. of Agriculture

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The WILDLAND WEED CALENDAR

Science for Parks Summit South East EPPC and North Carolina IPC N. American Invasive Spp. Mgmt. Assoc. March 25-27, UC Berkeley May 26-28, Chapel Hill, NC October 18-21, Vancouver, Canada parksforscience.berkeley.edu nceppc.weebly.com www.naisma.org

National Wildflower Week California Invasive Species Action Week Nevada Medusahead Symposium May 4-10, nationwide June 6-14, statewide October 26-29, Reno, NV www.wildflower.org/nww www.wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Invasives/ agri.nv.gov/Plant-Industry Action-Week SERCAL Cal-IPC Symposium May 12-14, San Diego Ecology & Mgmt of Alien Plant Invasions October 28-31, San Diego www.sercal.org September 20-24, Waikoloa, HI www.cal-ipc.org/symposia www.emapi2015.hawaii-conference.com National Adaptation Forum Tamarisk Coalition May 12-14, Saint Louis, MO February 9-11, 2016, Grand Junction, CO www.nationaladaptationforum.org www.tamariskcoalition.org

“As we change from looking to the past to preparing for the future in restoration ecology, one wonders if creating future-proof plant communities is more ‘prestoration’ than restoration. ” ~ K. Havens and co-authors, “Seed sourcing for restoration in an era of climate change,” Natural Areas Journal, January 2015

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