California Wildlife Conservation Board Scoping Discussion for Herbicide Use in Restoration Projects

1) Please describe current vegetation conditions and composition at project site. Provide a description or list of the dominant native and invasive plant species, any rare or sensitive species, percent cover of invasive species, and if they occur in monocultures or mixed communities with natives.

2) Please describe which herbicides and adjuvants will be used, including tank mix concentrations, application rates, and timing of application. Where applicable, identify selective herbicides that will be used to target specific plant life forms (grasses, broadleaf, woody, etc.).

3) If your project will use glyphosate, have other herbicides been considered to eliminate glyphosate usage? If not, why was glyphosate chosen as the preferred herbicide?

• –  If your project includes the use of a glyphosate product, have safer formulations (i.e., those registered for aquatic applications) or alternative herbicides been considered to reduce the potential for non-target environmental impacts? Please provide justification for the formulations and tank mixes selected as the preferred approach.
• –  If adjuvant(s) will be used in this project, are safer products that do not contain nonylphenol (often listed as “alkylphenol ethoxylate” on labels) being used to reduce the potential for non-target environmental impacts?

4) Please describe any non-chemical treatments that will be used to minimize the amount and/or concentration of herbicides used at the project site. What effects might these treatments have on water quality, non-target plant species, pollinators, and other wildlife species?

5) Please describe all herbicide application measures the project will employ. What effects might these treatments have on water quality, non-target plant species, pollinators, and other wildlife species?

6) Would removal of invasive weeds within the project area be possible using only non-chemical methods (hand-pulling, mowing, burning, etc.)? If not, why?

7) Please provide a total cost estimate for using only non-chemical removal methods for the invasive species where this approach would be possible. Please estimate both the project cost and long-term management costs, including an estimate of any additional personnel or contracts required.