appendix 16 - weed management plan - epa wa · w:\humfrey\abrolhos\per\appendix 16 - weed...

$: Appendix 16 - Weed Management Plan - EPA WA · W:\Humfrey\Abrolhos\PER\Appendix 16 - Weed Management Plan.doc 4 Weed Species Description Photo Salsola tragus (Roly-Poly) Succulent$
��

WEED MANAGEMENT PLAN: LONG ISLAND TOURIST RESORT ABROLHOS ISLANDS, WESTERN AUSTRALIA.

JULY 2006

PREPARED FOR

HUMFREY LAND DEVELOPMENTS

BY

MBS ENVIRONMENTAL

4 Cook Street West Perth WA 6005 Australia

Telephone: (618) 9226 3166 Facsimile: (618) 9226 3177 Email: [email protected]

HUMFREY LAND DEVELOPMENTS LONG ISLAND TOURIST RESORT WEED MANAGEMENT PLAN

W:\Humfrey\Abrolhos\PER\Appendix 16 - Weed Management Plan.doc

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................ 1

2. OBJECTIVES ............................................................................................................................. 2

3. IDENTIFICATION OF WEED SPECIES....................................................................................... 3

4. ACHIEVING WEED MANAGEMENT AND PREVENTING WEED SPREAD ................................ 5

5. MONITORING REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................................... 6

6. POST WEED ERADICATION ..................................................................................................... 7

7. REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................ 8

TABLES Table 1: Weed Species Known to Occur on Long Island

Table 2: Weed Prevention and Containment Methods

Table 3: Steps to Achieve Weed Management

Table 4: Weed Monitoring Requirements

Table 5: Post Weed Eradication Procedures

PLATES

Plate 1: Atriplex semilunaris

Plate 2: Bromus diandrus

Plate 3: Bromus hordeaceus

Plate 4: Cakile maritima

Plate 5: Chenopodium gaudichaudianum

Plate 6: Erodium cicutarium

Plate 7: Mesembryanthemum crystallinum

Plate 8: Polypogon monspeliensis

Plate 9: Salsola tragus

Plate 10: Sonchus oleracus



Plate 11: Tetragonia implexicoma

Plate 12: Urospermum picroides

Plate 13: Urtica urens

APPENDICES

Appendix A: HLD Weed Eradication Form

Appendix B: HLD Machinery and Vehicle Inspection Checklist

Appendix C: HLD Weed Inspection Checklist


W:\Humfrey\Abrolhos\PER\Appendix 16 - Weed Management Plan.doc 1

1. INTRODUCTION Humfrey Land Developments (HLD) is applying for a Tourism Licence from the Minister for Fisheries to construct and operate a tourist resort on Long Island in the Houtman Abrolhos Islands (Abrolhos Islands). The proposed resort is being assessed by the Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) at the level of Public Environmental Review (PER). This Weed Management Plan (WMP) represents the commitments made by HLD in relation to weed control. Surveys of Long Island have recorded a total of 38 flora species of which 14 were determined to be weed species (Harvey et al. 2001; MBS Environmental 2006). None of these were determined to be noxious or environmental weeds. The majority of the weed species identified originated from outside Western Australia though there were some species (e.g. Atriplex semilunaris and Chenopodium gaudichaudianum) that are native to mainland Western Australia but not to the Abrolhos Islands. This WMP applies to all phases of the resort including construction, operation and decommissioning. The WMP focuses on strategies to control weed spread and minimise the risk of introducing new weed species to Long Island or other islands in the Abrolhos Islands.



2. OBJECTIVES The objective of the WMP is to describe the key strategies to be adopted by Humfrey Land Developments, the construction contractor and the resort operator to manage the project in accordance with the commitments set forth in the Long Island Tourist Development PER (MBS Environmental 2006) and statutory environmental requirements pertaining to weed management. In order to prevent the spread of weeds the objectives of this weed management plan are to:

• General

• Prevent the further spread of weeds onto and around Long Island through implementing weed hygiene methods.

• Minimise weed problems through early detection and quick action against weed spread.

• Prevent introduction of further plant species that may have weed potential.

• Specific

• Implement weed hygiene procedures to minimise the introduction or spread of weeds.

• Identify target weed species and monitor for new weed outbreaks.

• Manage weed outbreaks as they occur.

• Educate employees and contractors of the importance for maintaining hygiene and eradication methods to prevent the spread of weeds.



3. IDENTIFICATION OF WEED SPECIES A number of weed species have been recorded from Long Island. Some of these species have been introduced to Western Australia from other parts of the world while others are native to Western Australia but not to the Abrolhos Islands. Table 1 details the weed species found on Long Island and gives a description for each.

Table 1: Weed Species Known to Occur on Long Island

Weed Species Description Photo

Atriplex semilunaris

(Annual Saltbush)

Monoecious, weak decumbent to erect perennial, herb, 0.1–0.7(–1) m high, to 1.1 m wide. Native to mainland WA but not to the Abrolhos Islands.

Plate 1

Bromus diandrus

(Great Brome Grass)

Tufted annual to 80cm tall with softly-hairy, flat or loosely folded leaves. The inflorescence is a loose, usually drooping, panicle to 15cm long, of 4 to 10 flowered oblong spikelets with a very prominent, rough awn to 60mm long. Flowers in spring. Native to the Mediterranean.

Plate 2

Bromus hordeaceus

(Soft Brome Grass)

Erect annual to 80cm tall with flat, hairy leaves. The inflorescence is an erect, dense, ovate to oblong panicle to 10cm long, flowering in spring. The hairy spikelets are plump with a short, straight awn. Native to Europe.

Plate 3

Cakile maritima

(Sea Rocket)

Succulent, annual herb to 0.5m. The petals are 8-14mm, purple, pink or white. The fruit is a silicula 12-27mm long, divided into an upper and a lower segment. Native to Europe and Africa

Plate 4

Chenopodium gaudichaudianum (Cottony Saltbush)

Scrambling shrub, 0.3–2 m high. Native to mainland WA but not to the Abrolhos Islands.

Plate 5

Erodium cicutarium

(Common Storkbill)

Annual or biannual herb, pinnately lobed leaves, cut to the midvein, pink flowers, and the ripe fruit has a beak of 3-4.5cm long. Native to the Northern Temperate Zone.

Plate 6

Hornungia procumbens

(Oval Purse)

Erect or spreading annual, to 30cm. The petals are white, up to 10 mm long. The fruit is a silicula, up to 4mm long and elliptic in shape. It is a common weed of offshore islands, salt lakes and estuaries from Shark Bay to Esperance. Native to southern Europe.

No Photo Available

Mesembryanthemum crystallinum

(Iceplant)

Succulent prostrate annual herb, with large, glistening, ovate, simple leaves and small white flowers.

Plate 7

Polypogon monspeliensis

(Annual Barbgrass)

Tufted annual to 40cm tall. The inflorescence is a dense, narrowly-ovate to oblong panicle to 15cm long. The awns give it a soft, feathery appearance. Flowers in spring and summer. Native to Europe, Asia and North Africa.

Plate 8



Weed Species Description Photo

Salsola tragus

(Roly-Poly)

Succulent annual or short-lived perennial herb, with recurved, pointed leaves. The flowers are in a terminal spike and the fruits are dry with a broad, papery wing. Dry plants can form 'tumbleweeds' and roll in the wind. Native to Russia

Plate 9

Sonchus oleraceus

(Sowthisle)

Annual or short-lived perennial with erect, sparsely branched hollow stems producing latex when cut. The flower heads are composed of yellow ray florets. Native to Eurasia and North Africa.

Plate 10

Tetragonia implexicoma

(Bower Spinach)

Prostrate, scrambling or climbing perennial, herb or shrub (undershrub), 0.1–0.5 m high, to 2 m wide. Native to coastal areas of WA but not to the Abrolhos Islands.

Plate 11

Urospermum picroides

(False Hawkbit)

Annual with slightly rough, hollow stems, a milky latex and irregularly toothed leaves. The distinctive urn-shaped, yellow heads are produced in spring.

Plate 12

Urtica urens

(Small Nettle)

Annual up to 50cm tall. The leaves are opposite, ovate and have toothed margins. The leaves and stems are covered with stinging hairs and the small green flowers are produced in clusters in the axils of the upper leaves during spring. Probably originates from the Mediterranean.

Plate 13

Source:(WA Herbarium 2005); (Hussey et al. 1997)



4. ACHIEVING WEED MANAGEMENT AND PREVENTING WEED SPREAD

Although there are a number of weed species already present on Long Island, HLD is committed to limiting the further spread of weeds, both on Long Island and between other islands, through effective implementation of this WMP. Table 2 outlines the actions and procedures followed to prevent weed spread while Table 3 outlines the steps to be followed should a new weed occurrence be found. The steps outlines in Table 3 are documented in the HLD Weed Eradication Form found in Appendix A.

Table 2: Weed Prevention and Containment Methods

Step Method Action

1. Weed awareness education. Advise all contractors/staff/guests of the importance of preventing weed spread. Advise of hygiene and recording weed sightings. Include this information in staff and visitor induction process.

2. Hygiene inspections. Staff/Contractors are required to complete the Vehicle and Machinery Checklist prior to vehicles entering Long Island (Appendix B).

3. Personal Weed Hygiene Staff/guests/contractors are to ensure shoes/feet and clothing is free of seeds or other plant material prior to entering or leaving Long Island. Upon arrival guests/staff will be requested to stand on a large mat that has been doused with antiseptic solution.

4. Conduct weed inspections during spring (nominally October).

Manager to report date and location of any weeds and actions taken to eradicate (Appendix C).

5. Rehabilitation. Provenance of seed source to be checked if purchased commercially. Removal of weed seed to be requested from supplier.

Table 3: Steps to Achieve Weed Management for a New Weed Occurrence

Step Method Action

1. Record location of suspected new weed occurrence.

Record location of weed species using GPS. Record date where weed observed. Take photographs of suspected weed. Collect specimen and press between newspaper sheets to preserve.

2. Confirm identified target plant as a weed. Use photographs, collected specimen and weed identification material to confirm identification.

3. Conduct weed eradication. Seek advice from Environmental consultant to confirm appropriate herbicide or eradication techniques.

4 Remove confirmed weed. Monitor the area to confirm plant death and weed removal.

5. Investigate cause of weed occurrence and implement corrective actions to prevent reoccurrence.

Manager to determine likely method by which weeds have been introduced.



5. MONITORING REQUIREMENTS As the lease holder for the Long Island Tourist Development, HLD has a responsibility to monitor and eradicate weeds. HLD will monitor the resort area of Long Island according to the procedures set out in Table 4 below. A yearly weed inspection of the resort area will be conducted in spring. This is nominally set to occur during October. Particular emphasis will be placed on areas where weeds are known to have occurred previously. In order to facilitate accurate record keeping and ease of access a ‘Weed Register’ shall be set up and maintained.

Table 4: Weed Monitoring Requirements

Step Description Responsibility

1. Record all new weeds located and identify cause of weed occurrence.

Manager

2 Record conducted inspections of weed risk areas such as around walkways and buildings.

Manager

3. When weed eradication occurs, record the method of eradication ensuring details such as area treated, tools or machinery used, or chemical and concentration are included.

Manager

4. Where weeds are treated, take photos of the area once the weeds are removed/dying for later reference.

Manager



6. POST WEED ERADICATION Once the weed/s have been removed it is important to ensure that no new individuals re-occur in the area. Table 5 below outlines the processes adopted following the removal of weeds from the Long Island Resort area.

Table 5: Post Weed Eradication Procedures

Step Post Weed Eradication

1 Monitor for evidence of weed death

2 Once weed/s have been confirmed as dead monitor the area during regular inspections for new growth

3 If new weed populations are found undertake eradication



7. REFERENCES Harvey, J. M., Alford, J. J., Longman, V. M. and Keighery, G. J. (2001) Flora and vegetation

survey of the Houtman Abrolhos, Western Australia. CALMScience 3(4): 521-623.

Hussey, B. M. J., Keighery, G. J., Cousens, R. D., Dodd, J. and Lloyd, S. G. (1997) Western Weeds. A guide to the weeds of Western Australia. The Weed Society of WA Inc, Perth

MBS Environmental (2006) Long Island Tourism Development Public Environmental Review.

WA Herbarium. (2005) "Florabase. The Flora of Western Australia." from http://www.calm.wa.gov.au/florabase/index.html. Last Updated 16 December 2005


PLATES

Pictures of Weed Species


Plate 1: Atriplex semilunaris

Plate 2: Bromus diandrus

Source:(WA Herbarium 2005); (Hussey et al. 1997)


Plate 3: Bromus hordeaceus

Source: (WA Herbarium 2005)

Plate 4: Cakile maritima


Plate 5: Chenopodium gaudichaudianum

Plate 6: Erodium cicutarium


Plate 7: Mesembryanthemum crystallinum

Plate 8: Polypogon monspeliensis



Plate 9: Salsola tragus


Plate 10: Sonchus oleracus

Source: (Hussey et al. 1997)


Plate 11: Tetragonia implexicoma


Plate 12: Urospermum picroides


Plate 13: Urtica urens



APPENDICES


APPENDIX A

HLD Weed Eradication Form


HLD WEED ERADICATION FORM This record must be submitted to the Manager for entry into the Weed Register.

Eradication Record

Weed Species

Cause of weed occurrence (e.g. vehicle)

Area (m2)

Location

Photo or sample of weed attached

Eradication method

Name (print) Signature

Date

Post Eradication Follow up Actions

Weed Species

New weed population (y/n)

New growth (y/n)

Follow up of eradication

Evidence of weed death (photo)

Name (print)

Signature

Date


APPENDIX B

HLD Machinery and Vehicle Inspection Checklist


HLD MACHINERY AND VEHICLE INSPECTION CHECKLIST It is important that earthmoving machinery and other vehicles are in an acceptable condition before they enter or leave Long Island, in relation to weeds, hydrocarbons, emissions and noise. This inspection must be completed upon entry and exit of Long Island and submitted to the Manager for entry into the Weed Register. This inspection only applies to those vehicles that will enter Long Island (or other islands) above the high tide mark.

Date of inspection: Company requesting equipment import to Long Island:

Name of person conducting inspection:

What kind of vehicle / machine is it?

Serial or registration No of equipment/machine:

Was the vehicle / machine cleaned before it left the last site? Yes No Are buckets, tracks, blades, grills, utility tray-back, hull free of soil and vegetation?

Yes No

Are the tyres free of vegetation and soil? Yes No

Work required/comments:

If you have answered NO to any of these questions, please carry out the required cleaning and/or maintenance before the machine is transported to/from Long Island. Entry/exit of the machinery will not be permitted until evidence of cleaning can be provided. Based on inspection of the specified equipment/machinery, I confirm the item is free of vegetative and soil material and is suitable for entry to/exit from Long Island. Signed: Name: Position: Date:

OFFICE USE ONLY Evidence of cleaning provided is satisfactory and the equipment is suitable for entry to Long Island. Signed: Position: Date:


APPENDIX C

HLD Weed Inspection Checklist


HLD WEED INSPECTION CHECKLIST Name of Inspector (Print): _______________________ Date: _______________________ Weather Conditions Prior to Inspection:

Weed Inspection Areas

(GPS Location)

Date Completed Weeds Present (Yes/No)

Actions to be Taken

appendix 16 - weed management plan - epa wa · w:\humfrey\abrolhos\per\appendix 16 - weed...

Documents