California Noxious and Invasive Weed Action Plan

Larry G. BezarkCalifornia Department of

Food and Agriculture

• Background• State Action Plan Elements• Executive Summary• Implementation

Weed Action Plan

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In 2003 The California Department of Food and Agriculture was approached by the California Invasive Weed Awareness Coalition - CalIWAC) to take a lead in producing the Weed Action Plan.

CalIWAC is a broad coalition of non-governmental groups including:

• CA Cattlemen’s Association• CA Farm Bureau Federation• CA Native Plant Association• The Nature Conservancy• CA Invasive Plant Council• Regional Council of Rural Counties

• CA Forest Pest Council• Monsanto• Dow Agro Sciences• CA Ag Commissioners & Sealers Association

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CDFA organized a steering committee:

Mike Boitano Amador County Agriculture DepartmentDiana Brink Bureau of Land ManagementNathan Dechoretz CDFADr. Joe DiTomaso UC Weed Science ProgramSheree Edwards California Department of TransportationSusan Ellis California Department of Fish and GameAndrea Fox California Farm Bureau FederationDr. Nelroy Jackson Monsanto, National Invasive Species Advisory CommitteeDoug Johnson California Invasive Plant CouncilSusan LaGrande California Cattlemen’s AssociationBob Pickard CALIWACCheri Rohrer United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service

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A summit was held in Sacramento with over 100 weed experts and stakeholders to assemble actions and needs to go into the first draft.

Weed Summit Breakout Group Leaders

• Larry Bezark (CDFA) Breakout Group Coordinator

• Dr. Lars Anderson (US Department of Agriculture) Research

• Stacy Carlson (Marin County Agriculture Department) Leadership and Coordination

• Joanna Clines (U.S. Forest Service) Prevention• Nate Dechoretz (CDFA) Early Detection Rapid

Response• Dr. Joe DiTomaso (UC Davis) Research

Weed Summit Breakout Group Leaders

• Jerry Howard (Calaveras County Agriculture Department) Enforcement and Compliance

• Doug Johnson (California Invasive Plant Council) Funding and Resources

• Carri Pirosko (CDFA) Education and Outreach• Steve Schoenig (CDFA) Mapping and

Inventory• Ron Unger (EDAW Consulting) Restoration

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A series of drafts were released to the public and many experts resulting in the final September 2005 plan

Endorsements

• Leadership and Coordination• Prevention and Exclusion• Early Detection and Rapid Response • Eradication and Management • Inventory, Monitoring and Evaluation• Restoration • Research• Education and Public Awareness • Funding and Resources• Enforcement and Compliance

State Action Plan Elements

1) Background and Current Program

2) Comprehensive NeedsBlueprint for new resources.

3) Selected ActionsBlueprint for new actions with current resources.

Each element has four sections:

State Action Plan ElementsLeadership and Coordination

1) Comprehensive NeedsElevation of weed issues to political figuresGreater level of leadership from CINWCC agenciesMore coordination among agenciesMore NGO’s in leadership and coordination roles

2) Selected ActionsFormally endorse the weed plan, and designate lead staff for implementation and review of progressExpand CINWCC and coordinate meetings with CaliWAC

State Action Plan ElementsPrevention and Exclusion

1) Comprehensive NeedsDevelop adequate funding for prevention programsIdentify entry pathways and perform new pest impact analysis Provide a central clearinghouse for information and boost educationRemoval of invasive species from nursery trade Develop mandatory or voluntary equipment cleaning measures

2) Selected ActionsRestore CDFA and CDA funding to adequate levels Compile weed prevention strategies for the stateEstablish a nursery weed task force including industry

State Action Plan ElementsEarly Detection and Rapid Response

1) Comprehensive Needs Develop a better pest alert system for non-rated weeds.Identify an agency to take lead authority for non-regulatory weedsGarner short-term emergency funds for quick immediate response Develop better detection methods and increase trained detectors.

2) Selected Actions Evaluate and restructure CDFA pest-rating system.Develop response plans for selected high-priority speciesDevelop a pamphlet with pictures for CalIPC Red-Alert and CDFA A-rated weeds and a guide to their identification. Establish an environmental compliance task force and produce a guide for environmental compliance for EDRR weed control by holding a meeting of responsible agencies.

State Action Plan ElementsEradication and Management

1) Comprehensive NeedsDevelop application tools and methods and efficacy informationExpand resources and participation for WMA’s and links with othersClarification and streamlining of environmental regulatory processesCoordinated regional approaches and more locally focused programs

2) Selected ActionsIncrease number of field biologists at state and county levelsDevelop a weed management handbook and web-based materialsComplete inventory of all public and coordinated weed projectsEstablish guidelines for evaluating WMA successes

State Action Plan ElementsInventory, Monitoring and Evaluation

1) Comprehensive NeedsDevelop funding for digital weed inventories and GIS clearinghouseID gaps in data and mapping frequency & data collection & storageTracking of all weed control projectsDevelop standards for monitoring on public & private property

2) Selected ActionsFinalize and update the statewide A-Rated weed inventory annuallyHold weed mapping steering committee meetings for coordinationDevelop distribution maps for important species and put on the webEncourage WMA’s to maintain inventoriesForm a weed monitoring work group to develop guidelines

State Action Plan ElementsRestoration

1) Comprehensive NeedsDevelop a resource guide for funding restoration activitiesDocument and track sources for good genetic stockIncorporate revegetation component into initial planningFollow-up to prevent weeds from reinvading project areasDesignate a statewide revegetation coordinator

2) Selected ActionsDevelop site-specific lists of genetically appropriate stock for useDevelop weed control guide for restoration projects and for habitat restoration following weed control projects

State Action Plan ElementsResearch

1) Comprehensive NeedsEconomic impacts and cost benefitsRestoration; characteristics, desirable species, integrationBasic biology, biological control, evaluation, mappingWeed detection, systematics, risk assessment, pathways

2) Selected ActionsExpand systematicsForm a weed research working groupOrganize workshops to foster cooperation and coordinationDevelop a database to identify weed research projects

State Action Plan ElementsEducation and Public Awareness

1) Comprehensive NeedsDevelop funding sources and establish a statewide coordinatorDevelop targeted materials and messages and train field staffCreate unified campaign message, standards for education efficacyDevelop and maintain a centralized website

2) Selected ActionsPromote Weed Awareness Week; strengthen participationDevelop a list of target audiences and outreach cooperators Write grants for education infrastructure funding Use existing resources to develop comprehensive website with photos

State Action Plan ElementsFunding and Resources

1) Comprehensive Needs

Legislation for continuation of WMA’sFunding for rapid responseA multi-agency “crosscut” budgetDevelopment of relationships with key legislative figuresPositioning to acquire Federal funds’Steady funding for development of biological control agents Staff positions for WMA’s for functions and fundraisingIntegration between regulatory agency compliance requirements

State Action Plan ElementsFunding and Resources

2) Selected Actions

Create web-based clearinghouse on granting agencies, and templatesConduct field tours for legislators Support appropriate state and Federal bills Coordinate grass roots effortsFormulate a request to establish a rapid response emergency fund Analyze potential effectiveness of a mil tax on herbicides Coordinate with NRCS to obtain EQIP/WHIP funds for WMA’sStrengthen CaliWAC Funding and Resources committee participationCoordinate with other states to acquire Federal funds for region

State Action Plan ElementsEnforcement and Compliance

1) Comprehensive NeedsClear authority for regulation and control of non-noxious speciesReduction in sale of invasive ornamentals in nurseries Overall increased awareness of invasive species regulationsImproved quarantine and control programs for plant introductionsCollaboration between CDFA and partners to update rating system

2) Selected ActionsPromote creation of agency authority for non noxious weedsCreate task force to address species being sold in the nursery tradePublish a guide for the public explaining CDFA process for listingReview existing state laws for weeds to determine suitability

Executive Summary• Early detection and rapid response are needed for new infestations.

• Eradication should be attempted whenever feasible.

• Lack of funding is a significant constraint.

• Weed Management Areas have been successful at local weed control, mapping, and education. They must be supported and funded.

• Economic analysis of weed impacts need to be researched.

• For weeds not legally recognized as “noxious,” no lead agency or comprehensive program exists.

• Communication between regulators and weed biologists needs to improve. Keep environmental compliance from being a barrier to rapid treatment.

• The sale of invasive ornamentals through the horticultural trade must be addressed.

• Mapping is a crucial element of a well-planned control effort.

• Weed education programs need to be coordinated and enhanced.

Executive SummaryCalifornia has a serious weed problem that is getting worse.

However, selected actions have been identified that will immediately be addressed by agencies, groups and individuals to begin doing more with the resources at hand.

Furthermore, this plan has identified comprehensive needs that if addressed, will enable some of the most serious impacts from noxious and invasive weeds to be prevented or minimized.

Progress in implementing the plan will be evaluated on a yearly basis to ensure its recommendations are fulfilled.

Having a plan in place allows CA to compete for Federal funds.

Implementation

Progress in implementing the plan will be evaluated on a yearly basis to ensure its recommendations are fulfilled.

A continuation of the steering committee will monitor, and facilitate, implementation of the plan.

The plan will need serious endorsements and directives to their staff by Secretaries, Directors and Managers for the plan to be successful.