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s 632.954 F2dewm 1994 MONTANADEPAmfimOFFISH,WILD 3--/'ii 0NMEN1A1,Aim,YSISFORWIXDMANACaaiAENT >Nv<^>•' >\ f<y-<rff\f>y^ ^ '•. PREPAREDBY: MontanaDepartmentofFish,WildlifeandParks Region5 2300LakeElmoDrive Billings,MT 59105 MARCH1994 ^AltDOCUMENTSCOLLECTION JUL 29 1994 MONTANASTATELIBRARY HELEN15A1,5MEO.N6TtAhNAAVE5.9620 W f TABLEOFCONTENTS 1.0 PURPOSEANDNEED 2.0 ALTERNATIVES 2.1 ALTERNATIVE1: NOACTION 2 22..32 AALLTTEERRNNAATTIIVVEE32:; CCUHLETMUIRCAALL,CMOENCTHRAONLICALAND.B..I.O.L.O.G.I.C.A.2L CONTROL(NONCHEMICAL) 2 2.4 ALTERNATIVE4: INTEGRATEDPESTMANAGEMENT 2 2.5PROPOSEDACTION 3 22..67WCOEMEPDARCIOSNOTNROOLFMAELTTEHRONDASTIVES !!!...!!! 37-.96 3.0 AFFECTEDENVIRONMENT 3333333.......756314233..WFVAGWS44IIE12IEEASLGRTOTHGDSETEQLELURTIRUIORRNOAIFAFGGETUEQLASYINUICAODATAENNLYWNDIWADTAWTYSTIEOELRIRDLSUFEHABITAT 22....1111111548965210....---------111111111711674200 4.0 ENVIRONMENTALCONSEQUENCES 4.1 AIRQUALITY .. 18 44..32WSOAITLSERQUALITY 2109 4.4 VEGETATION 21-22 444...567nHWISULHMDEALRINIFEHESEAANLDTHWILDLIFEHABITAT . 22-222654 4.8ENVIRONMENTALREVIEWCRITERIA 27-29 5.0 PUBLICINVOLVEMENT 30 6.0 SUMMARY 30 7.0 REFERENCES 31 " 1.0 PURPOSEANDNEED Thepurposeofthisenvironmentalanalysis(EA)istoassessmanagementoptionsfor weedsonlandsadministeredbytheMontanaDepartmentofFish,Wildlife,andParks (FWP)insouth-centralMontana. Region5ofFWPincludes38fishingaccesssites,7 stateparksinBigHorn,Carbon,Stillwater,SweetGrass,Wheatland,andYellowstone counties,3WildlifeManagementAreas,2StateFishHatcheries,andanFWPRegional Headquarters. Theyareimportantresourcesforresidentsandvisitorsproviding recreationalaccesstomanyMontanariversandlakes. Itisessentialtomaintainthe naturalvitalityoftheseareasandencouragemanagementwhichcontributestothe qualityoflifeforpresentandfuturegenerationsofMontanans. NoxiousweedshaveinvadedmanyFWPsitesinRegion5replacingnativeplants. Montanahasrecognizedthedamagingeffectsofweedsandhasenactedlawsand regulationstoreducethepropagationofnoxiousweeds. AllcountieswithinRegion5 haveadoptedweedcontrolprogramstohelpeliminateorreducenoxiousweed populations. FWPhasadoptedastatewideweedmanagementpolicythat: "seekstoprevent,totheextentfeasible,thereproductionanddistributionof agriculturallyundesirableplantspeciesthroughoutdepartmentlandorfrom departmentlandsontoadjacentlands. FWPproposestoimplementaweedmanagementplaninRegion5,incompliancewith countyweedcontrolplansthatwillinventoryspecificsiteconditions,designateweed managementzones,prescribemanagementoptionsforeachsiteandranksitesby treatmentpriority. StateparksandstatefishingaccesssitesarewidelydistributedinRegion5. Site conditions,suchasrainfall,soils,surfacewater,groundwaterandtopographyvary considerably. Becauseofthenumeroussites,itisimpracticaltoconductadetailed reviewforeachsiteasaprecursortoweedmanagementplanning. Enoughinformation iscurrentlyavailableforthesesitestobegintheweedmanagementprocess. Manyof thesitessharesimilarcharacteristicsandarepartofabioregionwithcommonphysical, natural,andculturaltraits. Thesecommoncharacteristicsandtraitswillbeusedto evaluatesitesandmakerecommendationsforweedtreatment. 1 ZJd* ALTE31NATIYES Fouralternativeweedmanagementprogramswereselectedforanalysis(Figurel). Differencesbetweenalternativesincludethetypesoftreatment,treatmentlevels, responsivenesstolegalandregulatoryrequirements,andthepotentialimpactsonweed p2o.p1ulations,environmentalqualityandhumanhealth. Alternative1: NoAction Nocoordinated,widespreadweedmanagementwouldbeinitiatedunderthisalternative. Weedcontrolmethodssuchasmowingandchemicalapplicationswouldbemaintained atpresentlevelsandnoadditionaleffortwillgotowardweedmanagement. This a2l.t2ernativewillemphasizepreventioninweed-freeareasbyrestrictingaccessandcontrol ofweedinfestedareasthroughlimitedmowingandchemicaluse. Thelicensedpesticide applicatorcurrentlyundercontractwithFWPwouldcontinuelimitedherbicide applications. Alternative2: ChemicalControl A2l.t3ernative2emphasizesthereductionanderadicationofnoxiousweedsbytheexclusive useofchemicalherbicides. Herbicideswouldbethechosenmethodofcontrolexcept wherelabeldirectionsprecludeherbicideuseorwherethereareotherspecialconcerns. Thisalternativeisdesignedtoprovidethegreatestcontrolacrossthelargestareaatthe lowestcost. Weedcontrolisthemainemphasisofthismethodandotherresourcegoals areconsideredsecondary. Alternative3: Cultural,Mechanical,andBiologicalControl 2.4 (Non-Chemical) Alternative3reliesonmethodsotherthanchemicalherbicidessuchascultural, mechanicalandbiologicalcontrolstomanageweedpopulations. Emphasiswouldbe placedoncontainingexistingweedinfestationsandpreventingfurtherinfestationwith culturalcontrols. Mechanicalcontrolmethodswouldbeusedtoreducecurrentweed populationswithintheconstraintsofFWPbudgetaryresourcesandlikelyvolunteer support. Biologicalcontrolmethodswillbesupportedaseffectivepathogensbecome availabletoprovideforlong-termcontrolofweeds. Alternative4: IntegratedPestManagement Alternative4isanIntegratedPestManagement(IPM)approachwhichemphasizesthe integrationofcultural,mechanical,biologicalandchemicalcontrolmethods. The specificcontrolmethodusedataspecificsitewillvarywiththetypeandamountof noxiousweedspresent,siteconditions,politicalconcernsandotherfactors. Allofthese factorsmaychangewithtimeandrequireareadjustmentofcontrolmethods. An importantpartofIMPisitsflexibilityandtheabilitytoadapttochange. 2 FIGURE 1. WEED MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVES ALTERNATIVE1: NOACTION noactivemanagement exceptforcurrentcontrols ALTERNATIVE2: HERBICIDECONTROL weedcontrol throughherbicide appiications PURPOSE: MANAGENOXIOUS WEEDSATSTATE ALTERNATIVE3: PARKSANDFISHING NON-CHEMICAL ACCESSSITES CONTROLS weedcontroiusing bioiogicai,cuitural andmechanicalcontrols ALTERNATIVE4: INTEGRATEDPEST PREFERRED MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVE combinationofcontrolsbased onsiteandenvironmentai conditions 1F2.W5PisPprrooppoosseidngActtoisoenlectAlternative4(~IPM)asthepreferredalternativeformanagingI weedsonlandsadministeredbytheagencyinRegion5. Thisintegratedpest managementapproachadoptsspecies-spedficcontrolstrategiesthataimtoeither prevent,eradicate,reduce,control,ortolerateweedspecies. UndertheproposedIMP plan,FWPwouldinventoryspecificsiteconditions,designateweedmanagementzones, prescribemanagementoptionsforeachsiteandranksitesbytreatmentpriority. Alternative4isdescribedfurtherintheMontanaDepartmentofFish,Wildlifeand ParksDraftWeedManagementPlan(LandandWater1991). 2.6 ComparisonofAlternatives 1 Thealternativesunderconsiderationusearangeofapproachesforaddressingweed | managementconcernsinRegion5. Eachalternativeisevaluatedinrelationtoavariety ofimportantnaturalresources(Table1). Otherconcernsarealsoaddressedincluding cost,humanhealth,effectiveness,andlegalconcerns. Alternative1wouldcontinuethepresentmixtureofmechanicalandoccasionalchemical controlswithoutaformalmanagementplan,sitespecificinventoriesornotificationand mspoislltrFesWpPonsleanpdlsanasn.dUwonudledrntohitsbaeltceornnattriovlel,edweoerdesrawdoiucladtecdoanttiannuyestiotesi.ncrSeoaislsewaocruolsdsbe impactedbyincreasederosionpotentialandweedseedbuildup. Waterqualitywouldbe susceptibletocontaminationfromspillsandimproperapplication. Nativevegetation wouldcontinuetobereplacedbyweeds. Wildlifewouldbeimpactedfromweeds replacingnativeplants. Fishwouldnotbeaffectedexceptfrompotentialspillsor improperapplication. Humanhealthconcernsincludeexposuretochemicalherbicidesandweedpollen. Legal concernsincludeadministrativeandcivilliabilityforuncontrolledweedsandfor unwantedchermcaleffects. Costsaremoderateandwouldnotchangefromcurrent levels. Alternative2wouldusechemicalherbicidesexclusivelyforweedcontrol. This alternativehasthepotentialforshorttermimpactsonairandsoilqualityandthe greatestpotentialforimpactstowaterquality. Chemicalspillsarethemainsourceof potentialnegativeimpacts. Thisspillpotentialalsoisthegreatestlikelyimpactfor wildlifeandfisheries. Nativevegetationwouldbeimprovedbyeliminatingweed competitionalthoughthereisthepotentialforadverseimpactstosensitiveplantspecies. Thisalternativepresentsthegreatestpotentialhumanhealthimpactsfromchemical exposurealthoughhealthrisksfromweedpollenwilldecrease. Legalconcernsmainly relatetochemicalexposure. Thisalternativeshouldprovideeffectiveweedcontrolin treatedareasbutchemicalscannotbeusedonsignificantareasof FWPlandsdueto surfaceorgroundwaterconditions. Thisalternativewillthereforeleavesomesites untreated. Costsforthisalternativearelowtomoderate. 3 Alternative3wouldusecontrolmethodsotherthanchemicalherbicides. Inthiscase, weedswouldhkelycontinuetoincreasesincebudgetandmanpowerlimitationswould notallowextensivetreatmentscoveringmostFWPlands. Minorimpactswouldbe expectedforair,soilandwaterresources,mainlyrelatedtosoilerosion,dustand sedimentation. Nativevegetationwouldcontinuetobereplacedbyweeds. Wildlife habitatandforagevalueswouldbereducedasweedscontinuetosurviveandinvade. Fisherieswouldnotbesignificantlyaffected. Humanhealthrisksfromchemical exposurearenotafactorinthisalternativebutrisksfromequipmentuseandmanual laboraregreatestwiththesemethods. Legalliabilitiesshouldbelowunlessweed controlisnoteffective. Weedcontrolmaynotbeeffectiveifanadequateeffortcaimot bemadeduetomanpowerandbudgetlimitations. Themostprohibitivefactorinthis alternativeisthecostofeffectivemechanicalweedcontrol. Alternative4usesaflexiblecombinationofweedcontroltechniquesspecificallyadapted toweedandsiteconditionsatindividuallocations. ThisIntegratedPestManagement (IPM)willincludesubstantialchemicalcontrolintheinitialphasebutthelong-termgoal wouldbetoreplacemostchemicalcontrolwithothermethods. Air,soil,waterand fisheriesresourcesmayhaveshort-term,minorimpactsifaccidentalspillsor misapplicationsoccur. Nativevegetationwouldbeimprovedbyeliminatingweed competitionalthoughthereisthepotentialforadverseimpactstosensitiveplantspecies. Wildlifeshouldbenefitfromanincreaseinnativeplantspeciesbutmayhaveshort-term, minorimpactsifaccidentalspillsormisapplicationsoccur. Increasedhealthriskunderthisalternativeincludesexposuretochemicalsand equipmentaswellasinjuryfrommanuallabor. WeedcontrolunderthisIPMapproach shouldbeveryeffective. Legalconcernsmainlyrelatetopotentialchemicalexposure. CostsfortheIPMprogramshouldbemoderateandcanbemadeflexibledependingon budgets,manpowerandotherfactors. 4 TABLE1. COMPARISONOFWEEDMANAGEMENTALTERNATIVES (comparisonsaremadeinrelationtocurrentconditions) Alternative1 Alternative2 Alternative3 Alternative4 NoAction ChemicalControl NoChemicalUse IntegratedPestManagement AirQuality Short-term,local,minor Short-term,local,minor Minor,temporary,local dust Short-term,local,minor effectsduetochemicalvapor, effectsduetochemicalvapor, potentialfromsoilexposedin effectsduetochemicalvapor, noise,orodors. noise,orodors;potential mechanicalcontrol. Weed noise,odorsor dust. greaterthenunderother pollenmayaffectsome Alternatives. individuals. Soils Potentialtoreducetotalplant Possiblesoilcontaminationdue Minor,temporaryerosion Possiblesoilcontaminationdue coverleadingtoincreased tomisapplicationorspills. increasefrommechanical tomisapplicationorspills. erosionandlong-termfertility controlmethods. Buildupof decrease. Weedseedbuildup weedseedswithoutadequate insoil. control. WaterQuality Possiblewaterqualityimpacts Greatestpotentialforchemical Nopotentialforchemical Possiblewaterqualityimpacts duetomisapplicationorspills. contaminationdueto contamination.Slightpotential duetomisapplicationorspills. misapplicationorspills. forsedimentationif mechanicaltreatmentsresultin erosion. Vegetation Declineofdesirableplant Greatestpotentialforadverse Reductionofnativespecies Lowestpotentialforimpactsto communitiesduetoweed impacts distributionanddiversityas native/domesticplantdamage invasionandcompetition. tonon-targetvegetation. weedsinvade. Smallpotential throughmitigation. Potentialforincreasesin forimpactsonnon-target nativeplants. vegetationfrommechanical controlmethods. Wildlife Reduced wildlifehabitat Greatestpotentialforchemical Reducedwildlifehabitat Reducedpotentialfornegative qualityduetonoxiousweed ingestionandexposureto qualityduetonoxiousweed impactswithmitigation invasion. wildlifespecies. increase. measuresandmanagement guidelines. Fisheries Potentialforlocalshortterm Greatestpotentialforshort Littlepotentialimpact. Potentialforlocalshortterm impactsfromchemicalspillsor term,localimpactsfrom impactsfromchemicalspillsor misapplication. chemicalspills. misapplication. HumanHealth Increasedpotentialfor Increasedpossibilityof Reducedriskfromchemical Possibilityofexposureto allergies,respiratoryorskin exposuretochemicals. exposure. Increasedaccident chemicalsorpersonalinjury ailmentsfromweeds. Possible riskfromequipmentuseand fromequipment. risksofexposuretochemicals. manuallabor. Increasedrisk ofallergiesfromdust,pollen andweedcontact. 5 Effectiveness Noteffectiveateradicating, Effectiveinareaswhichcan Moderatelyeffectiveat Effectiveatcontrollingmost reducingorcontrollingweeds. betreated. Nocontrolin controllingweedsinmostareas weedsoverlongperiods. untreatedareas. ifconductedproperly. LegalConcerns Weedsnotlegallycontrolled. Potentialliabilityfrom Potentialadministrativeor Potentialliabilityfrom Policiesandproceduresnot chemicalmisuse,accidentor civilliabilityifweedsarenot chemicalmisuse,accidentor clear. Subjecttocivilor otherexposure. adequatelycontrolled. otherexposure. administrativeactions. Cost Moderate.Shouldbereduced Lowforcontrolinareaswhere Culturalcontrolsarelowcost Moderatecostswhichcanbe overtime. ($5/acremowing, chemicalisused($25-50/acre). (planning,education). flexibledependingonbudget $25-50/acreherbicide). Mechanicalmethodscanbe andotherfactors. veryhigh(handpulling$200- 500/acre). 6 2.7 WeedControlMethods WeedcontrolmethodsproposedforFWPRegion5includecultural,mechanical, biologicalandchemicaltechniques. Themagnitudeoftheinitialcontrolattemptwould requiretremendousmanpowerandexpenseusingculturalandmechanicalmethods. Itis thereforeexpectedthatchemicalcontrolwillbeanimportantcomponentoftheIPM 2s.t7ra1tegyininitialweedcontrolefforts. CULTURALANDMECHANICALWEEDCONTROL CulturalandmechanicalweedcontrolwillcontinuetobeapartoftheRegion5 program. Onsomesites,andespeciallywheremanpowerisavailable,thesemethods mayprovideadequateweedcontrol. Culturalandmechanicalmethodstobeusedin FWPRegion5include: • Prevention • Revegetation • Digging/Hand-pulling • Mowing/weedwhipping • TrafficControl • Usereducation SinceitisunlikelythatFWPbudgetswillallowsufficientmanpowertoprovideweed controlinallareasrestrictedfromchemicaluseespecially"WaterQualityProtection ManagementZone",volunteergroupswillbeencouragedtoassistFWP. Sportsmen, students,churchgroups,scoutsandotherswillbesolicitedfortheseprojects. 2.72 BIOLOGICALWEEDCONTROL FWPRegion5willencouragecontinueddevelopmentsofbiologicalweedcontrolagents inMontana. Region5willparticipateinreleasesofbiologicalagentswheneverpossible andwillcooperatewithresearchprojectsbyotherorganizations. 2.73 CHEMICALWEEDCONTROL Theherbicidespicloram(Tordon),clopyralid(Stinger),glyphosate(Roundup)and imazapyr(Arsenal)willbeusedonFWPpropertyinRegion5. Theseherbicidesare someoftheleasttoxic,persistentandmobileavailable. Theymaybeusedaloneorin approvedcombinations. AppendixDofthedraftweedmanagementplan(Landand Water1993)containschemicallabelsandmaterialsafetydatasheets(MSDS)foreachof tMhoensteanhear,bimcaidyesbe.cOotnhseirdehreerdbiicnidtehse,fauptuprreo.veNdefworcuhseemibcyaltsheprEoPpoAseadndfolricuesnesewdillfobreusein reviewedbyFWPresourcestaffbeforeapproval. Herbicideswillbeappliedaccordingtolabeldirections,managementzonegoals, concernsforthreatened,endangeredandsensitive(TES)speciesandothersite-specific constraintsrequiredbythisplan. Restricted-usechemicalapplicationswillbesupervised byanapplicatorlicensedintheStateofMontana. Thislicensedapplicatorwillbean FWPemployeeifapplicationsaremadebyFWP. Contractedapplicationswillalsobe supervisedbyalicensedcontractapplicator. 7