Best Management Practices

Knowledge of invasive species and techniques to avoid their spread is critical to the implementation of all BMPs. A.1 Provide trainings and educational materials for staff and contractors. Conduct training sessions on sanitation procedures for other equipment. Provide brochures and other materials on weed identification. Provide checklists and instructions for execution of BMPs in the field. Communicate the impact of invasive species and the importance of prevention.

B.1 Include an invasive species risk evaluation as a component of initial project planning. Evaluate the risk of: Spreading invasive seeds and other propagules from the project site to new areas. Identify invasive species in and surrounding the site. Identify control and sanitation measures that would reduce risk. Bringing invasive propagules into the site during project activities. Consider any use and transportation of project vehicles outside of the project area. Identify sanitation measures that would reduce this risk. B.2 Incorporate design components that minimize the movement of invasive propagules into or out of the site. B.3 Incorporate sanitation and invasive control measures into plans, budgets, and contracts. Consider the use of specialized gear and clothing, tools for sanitation, and any staff training. Allocate time for prevention and sanitation activities. B.4 Schedule activities to minimize the potential for spread of invasive propagules into or out of the site. Consider life stages of invasive plants. Avoid activities that may spread propagules when plants are fruiting. Consider the toxicity, ecological fate, persistence, and unintended consequences of pesticides. Consider timing to avoid impacts to listed, or at-risk species, pollinators, nesting birds and mammals, and to trail users, medicine and food harvesters, and other public use. B.5. Record observations of all suspected priority invasive species and others of concern. Note the date, location in as much detail as possible, approximate size of the patch, species identity if known, and stage of the plant (flowering, fruiting, etc.).

Disturbing soil creates opportunities for the establishment of weed species. C.1 Minimize soil disturbance—Whenever possible, activities should be avoided in areas containing fruiting, or rhizomatous invasive plants. When soil must be disturbed, use proper erosion control practices—Minimize soil disturbance in areas containing invasive plants. Should invasive plants be detected early, use a certified pesticide applicator and spray within limits of pesticide permit, and/or take other actions as may be deemed appropriate. Stabilize disturbed soils as soon as possible by seeding, mulching or using stone or other materials that are free of invasive plant materials. Site-specific revegetation efforts should address site preparation, species selection, and overall maintenance of the area. The activities to reduce invasive plants are intended to complement other practices addressing erosion control, proper drainage, and protecting infrastructure. Materials, such as fill, loam, gravel, mulch or hay should not be brought into project areas from sites where invasive plants are known to exist or have existed. C.2 Manage and contain any water runoff, which can carry weed propagules. C.3 Plan for cleaning time.

Project materials are common dispersal vectors for weed propagules to new locations. Soils, erosion control materials (especially if reused), landscape materials, water, and other materials can all contain propagules. Use of these BMPs can prevent the introduction of weed species to a project site through contaminated materials. D.1 Use project materials that are known to be weed free. Whenever possible, re-use weed-free materials from onsite rather than importing new materials. When re-using materials is not possible, obtain materials from local vendors, ideally those offering weed-free materials. Inspect materials for weed propagules. Use certified weed-free seed. Monitor for weeds after the installation of new materials. Treat any state/local-listed priority weeds found at early stages to maximize effectiveness of control. D.2 Prevent contamination and germination of weed propagules in unused stockpiles of materials. Cover exposed materials to protect from wind and rain. Inspect stockpiles prior to use. Treat any weeds found before the material is used. D.3 Prevent contamination when transporting project materials. Never move materials from a weed-infested to an un-infested location. Cover materials during travel to prevent either contamination of clean materials, or spread of propagules from infested materials.

Workers can spread invasive species as they travel from site to site. These BMPs should be implemented at all visits to sites known to, or suspected to, contain invasive species. All vehicles should be examined for potential weed propagules: mud, soil, vegetation on vehicle undercarriages, wheel wells, bumpers and grills. Wearing appropriate clothing, boots, and other gear, and cleaning them before leaving a site can prevent them from transporting weeds to new sites. Following these BMPs will minimize introduction of invasive species by equipment, vehicles, and people traveling among project sites. E.1 Locate and use a staging area that is free of invasive plants. E.2. Avoid driving off-road, or parking in areas infested with invasive species. Arrange routes to travel to uninfested sites first, when the vehicle is clean. Visit weedy/infested sites last. E.3. Inspect and Clean Designate cleaning areas for tools, equipment and vehicles—Ideal locations include paved or sealed surfaces. Avoid waterways and sensitive habitat areas. If equipment must be used or staged in areas where invasive plants occur, all equipment, gear (i.e., boots), machinery, and hand tools should be cleaned of all viable soil, plant, and animal material before leaving the project. Acceptable methods of cleaning include but are not limited to: Portable wash station that contains runoff from washing equipment (containments must be in compliance with wastewater discharge regulations). If on-site cleaning is not an option, clean equipment at a commercial car wash facility. For vehicles and other large equipment, pay particular attention to the undercarriage and treads of tracks and tires. High pressure air. Brush, broom or other tool (used without water) – this is likely to be the BMP most practiced to avoid unintentional transport of invasive species as equipment moves from site to site. Aquatic sites— Before leaving any aquatic site or any site in wet condition, thoroughly remove all organic matter (e.g., mud, plants, algae) from nets, sampling devices, boots (especially the tread), and any other equipment or clothing that has come into contact with water or aquatic sediments. Watercraft—Inspection and decontamination procedures for watercraft entering and leaving waterbodies should follow the Uniform Minimum Standards and Protocols for Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination Programs for Dreissenid Mussels in the Western United States (Elwell and Phillips 2016). Firefighting activities—US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management prevention activities associated with the transport of water during firefighting activities should be used to prevent the spread of invasive species, sanitize equipment, and address disposal and safety concerns. Working in water bodies: Sample from least to most invasive species-contaminated areas within the waterbody, for example, sample upstream to downstream or from areas of less weed growth to dense weed growth. Minimize wading and avoid running boats onto sediment. For example, use bank sampling poles instead of wading. Avoid getting plants and sediment inside boats or other sampling gear. Use a catch pan underneath dredges, etc., to keep potential invasive species off boat decks and out of bilges. Clean, Drain, Dry CLEAN – Remove any visible vertebrates, invertebrates, plants, plant fragments, seeds, algae, and dirt. If necessary, use a scrub brush and rinse with clean water either from the site or brought for that purpose. Continue this process until the equipment is clean. DRAIN all water in bilges, samplers, and other equipment that could hold water before leaving the site. DRY – Fully wipe down all equipment until dry. Decontaminate, if possible—Decontaminate using options for aquatic invasive species (Elwell and Phillips 2016).

After invasive plant removal, plant parts must be properly disposed of to prevent establishment in other locations. F.1 When disposing on site, minimize the chance of viable material spreading by choosing a location where viable plant material will be contained, buried, or destroyed. Conduct monitoring at and near debris piles to treat any weeds that may have spread during the disposal and degradation process. Drying/Liquefying: For large amounts of plant material, or for plants with rigid stems, place the material on asphalt, and under tarps, or heavy plastic to prevent the material from blowing away. For smaller amounts of plant material, or for plants with pliable stems, bag the material in heavy- duty (3 mil or thicker) garbage bags. Keep the plant material covered or bagged for at least one month and up to 3 months. Material is nonviable when it is partially decomposed, very slimy, or brittle. Once material is nonviable, it can be disposed of in an approved landfill or brush pile. Brush Piles: Plant materials from most invasive plants can be piled on site to dry. However, for some species, care must be taken to pile stems so that the cut surfaces are not in contact with soil. This method is not recommended for any invasive plant with seeds or fruit attached, unless plants can be left within the limits of the infestation. Burying: Plant material from most invasive plants can be buried a minimum of three feet below grade. This method is best used on a job site that is already has disturbed soils. Burning: Plant material should be taken to a designated burn pile. (All necessary permits must be obtained before burning). F.2 Herbicides—If herbicides are applied at the disposal sites, only licensed applicators are allowed to apply herbicide treatments. F.3 When disposing off site, select appropriate disposal locations and transport properly. Invasive plant material must be covered during transport and transport vehicles swept clean at the transported location.

Proper revegetation and landscaping work can create weed-resistant plant communities. Without proper care, however, landscaping activities and materials can serve as vectors for invasive species. G.1 Select vegetation appropriate to the site to maximize weed resistance. G.2 Use plants from a local source. Use local ecotypes whenever possible for best plant establishment. Verify the taxonomy of species to be planted. Ensure all species to be used are approved. G.3 Mitigate the risks of unintentional invasive species introductions during site preparation activities. Whenever possible, time site preparation activities when invasive species are not producing seed. Treat any invasive species found during the site preparation process. Minimize soil disturbance to the amount necessary for planting.