Below is a summary of what Darcy talked about at our last meeting. We will be discussing this issue in upcoming meetings, Stu
Along our roadsides, EFR has two major invasive plants of concern, white sweetclover (Melilotus alba) & perennial sowthistle (Sonchus arvensis). It would be good to contain these weeds so that they do not move into our fields, or get transported by our vehicles to other areas in Interior Alaska.
Discussion on impacts:
White sweetclover - can create monostands by shading out native species. Possibly has the ability to keep monostands in a forb stage - not moving on to willow stage, which alters moose habitat and forage. Seeds can remain viable in the soil for up to 80 years. It is a biennial, which means it produces flowers and seeds the second year. Control: pulling, herbicides
Perennial sowthistle - aggressive perennial weed that can be hard to eradicate once established. It hogs water resources, which can decrease the number of other plants in the community. It is a prohibited noxious weed, which means it is regulated and cannot be sold in the state. Perennial sowthistle is resistant to most common broadleaf herbicides, which makes control difficult in grass/grain crops. Tilling may increase the number of plants by breaking up the rhizomes. Control: Mowing, pulling (care must be made to ensure the entire root is pulled), herbicides.
Discussion on control:
Darcy suggested 3 possible management strategies. 1 - everyone is responsible for controlling weeds on their road front. 2 - make it a community effort, where pulls are organized community-wide a few times each summer. 3 - RSA issue where funds are expended to keep the roadsides weed free, either by mowing or herbicides. The community seemed in favor of spraying with a broad spectrum herbicide, but there needs to be complete community support and notices when spraying will occur.
Final note - the weeds will only continue to get worse if we do nothing about controlling their spread!
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5 comments:
There are a couple of other weeds of interest as well: Bird Vetch and Hemp Nettle. Both bear watching and control. The bird vetch is much more invasive than any other weed I've seen including the white sweetclover.
Re the idea for control, I think the mechanical approach is a better alternative than a chemical approach. Some of us have been working to landscape the front of our driveways and would not be in favor of a spray application which would, probably, result in overspray onto our landscaped areas. Secondly, there are environmental issues regarding the use of herbicide sprays. The railroad has been tied up for years unable to spray their right of ways. These environmental issues would need to be sorted out first. I'm sure it would need clearance from the Borough before we could proceed with any herbicide application on public right of ways.
Ron
Ron & Marji Illingworth
Lilyvale Farm
North Pole, Alaska
907-488-0446 (H)
1-866-535-6459 (fax)
I agree with Ron, no chemicals. Just say "NO" to drugs :}
Pulling is very thoroough, very selective, a nice way to build community (pulling together, as it were) and good exercise, too
Karl
Hello, Neighbors,
Dwayne and I have certainly done our share of battling weed wars everywhere we've ever farmed, and it's an especially serious problem where growers are trying to market certified weed-free hay or grain.
Sometimes we just can't get ahead and keep ahead of weeds that are firmly entrenched in an area -- especially roadsides, fencelines, and irrigation ditches. Mowing helps if we can catch the plants at just the right time -- if too late, they go to seed and if too early, they regrow and then seed anyway -- and of course not all weeds are on the same emergence and maturing schedule. So careful spraying really helps to get things under control (avoid drift and runoff into waterways.) Elsewhere roadsides are usually sprayed by the county but anyone who prefers can post their property with "no spray" signs and then they are responsible to keep their own roadsides weed free.
We hand pull small spots or areas if the weeds are pull-able. Although this is our preferred method, it doesn't work if the ground gets too dry or if weeds are simply too thick to manage.
To get roadsides under control, we'd be in favor of spraying except where individuals have posted "no spray" signs (assuming they are promising to keep their areas weed free on their own) and then regularly mowing to maintain weed control. We'd be in favor of leaving weed control on private property open to the owner's choice of methods.
Dwayne and Daphne Hofschulte
Ron & all,
I was trying to address only the invasive plants that I have seen on the roadside. I saw one bird vetch plant this summer, but I pulled it and will continue to monitor that spot. Bird vetch is fairly established on Stringer Rd and in North Pole, so I think we should be on the lookout for it moving our way. I have seen plenty of hempnettle in fields, but I have not seen it on the roadside, though It is definitely possible that I overlooked an area.
I think an integrated approach is important. Herbicides can allow us to make a quick impact in the weed population. We can also spot pull when needed, and make sure to remove plants that are starting to move into fields & forests. We definitely need to talk more about this issue. Fortunately (or unfortunately...), the weed control season is basically over. We have all winter to discuss the options and come up with a good plan that our RSA can support in the spring.
Darcy
I noticed in the minutes for your August 11 commission meeting a discussion of spraying an herbicide, like Roundup, on the roadsides for weed control next May.
This would require a pesticide permit from ADEC, which, I believe, will be quite difficult to obtain. Permits are required for this type of application by any government, and the service area is part of a government. I strongly encourage your commission to pursue other methods of brush control in the road rights-of way.
The control of invasive weeds appears to be a serious concern for the Twenty-three Mile Slough community which is understandable for an agricultural area. It may be easier to pursue spraying for weed control for the agricultural area as a private group. I suggest contacting ADEC about any restrictions on spraying herbicides if people are interested in pursuing this.
Bill Gryder, P.E.
FNSB Rural Services Engineer
v (907) 459-1218
f (907) 459-1499
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