Draft noxious weed management plan

186 Pages·1994·13.5 MB·English

by  Montana. Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. Region 3

JANUARY-1994
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
LIST OF TABLES iv
LIST OF FIGURES v
INTRODUCTION
1.0 1
1.1 Noxious Weed Management Program Guidance and Objectives 1
1.2 Existing Statutory Requirements 2
1.3 Overview and Setting 2
1.3.1 Property Groups 3
2.0 NOXIOUS WEED MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES 17
2.1 General Approach 17
2.2 Conceptual Framework to Prioritize Activities 17
2.2.1 Species Specific Directives 17
2.2.2 Location and Population Size 18
2.2.3 Special Management Zones 19
2.3 Treatment Methods and Techniques 23
2.3.1 Manual 23
2.3.2 Cultural 23
2.3.3 Biological 25
2.3.4 Chemical 25
3.1
2.4 Inventory and Monitoring Procedures 28
2.5 Other Subjects of Concern 28
2.5.1 Oversight of Plan Implementation 28
2.5.2 Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive Species 29
2.5.3 Applicator Licenses and Record Keeping 29
2.5.4 Herbicide Labels 29
2.5.5 Contracted Services 30
PROPERTY GROUP TREATMENT PLANS
3.0 31
Wildlife Management Areas 31
3.1.1 Introduction 31
3.1.2 Bear Creek 34
3.1.3 Dome Mountain 35
3.1.4 Fleecer Mountain 36
3.1.5 Gallatin 37
3.1.6 Blacktail 39
3.1.7 Mount Haggin 40
3.1.8 Robb-Ledford 43
3.1.9 Wall Creek 44
1
TABLE OF CONTENTS,
continued
Page
3.1.10 Bridger Mountain, Red Rock Lake, Silver Gate, and Kirk 46
3.2 Fishing Access Sites 46
3.2.1 Introduction 46
3.2.2 Yellowstone River Drainage 50
3.2.3 Gallatin River Drainage 52
3.2.4 Madison River Drainage 54
3.2.5 Jefferson River Drainage 56
3.2.6 Missouri River Drainage 58
3.2.7 Beaverhead River Drainage 59
3.2.8 Big Hole River Drainage 61
3.2.9 Ponds and Lakes 63
3.3 State Parks and Administrative Sites 65
3.3.1 Introduction 65
3.3.2 Bannack 68
3.3.3 Missouri Headwaters 69
3.3.4 Lewis and Clark Caverns 71
3.3.5 Madison Buffalo Jump 72
3.3.6 Parker Homestead, Beaverhead Rock, and Clark’s Lookout 73
3.3.7 Administrative Sites 74
REFERENCES
4.0 76
ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS,
continued
APPENDICES
Appendix A County Noxious Weed Control Act of 1979
Appendix B Synopsis of Noxious Weed Species
Appendix C Laws and Policies Relating to the Management of Noxious Weeds
D
Appendix Biological Control Agents Available in Montana and Those
Released on Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks Properties
Appendix E Herbicide Emergency Response Plan
Appendix F Sensitive Species Occurring in the Vicinity of Montana
Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks Region 3 Properties
Appendix G Herbicides Proposed for Use on Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks
Region 3 Properties
H
Appendix Herbicide Label Instructions and Safety Precautions
ui
LIST OF TABLES
Page
Table 1. Noxious weed species present and status on Department of Fish,
Wildlife and Parks Wildlife Management Areas in Region 3 6
Table 2. Noxious weed species present and status on Department of Fish,
Wildlife and Parks Fishing Access Sites in Region 3 by drainage 9
Table 3. Noxious weed species present and status on Department of Fish,
Wildlife and Parks State Parks in Region 3 13
Table 4. Soil index values, risk classes, and soil descriptions used to
identify groundwater areas sensitive to chemical contamination 21
IV
,
LIST OF FIGURES
Page
Figure 1 Properties owned by or leased to Montana Department of Fish,
Wildlife and Parks in Region 3 4
Figure 2. Wildlife Management Areas (WMA’s) administered by Montana
Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks in Region 3 33
Figure 3 Fishing Access Sites administered by MontanaDepartment ofFish
.
Wildlife and Parks in Region 3 48
Figure 4. State Parks administered by Montana Department ofFish, Wildlife
and Parks in Region 3 67
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INTRODUCTION
1.0
1.1 Noxious Weed Management Program Guidance and Objectives
The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks (DFWP) recently adopted its Vision
document which describes the direction in which the Department is heading and how the goals
articulated within that document will be reached (DFWP 1992). The basic Mission of the
agency
is:
"to provide for the stewardship of the fish, wildlife, parks, and recreational
resources of Montana, while contributing to the quality of life for present and
future generations."
A
key element of all Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks programs is to consider
how policies and programs affect adjacent lands, and in turn, how adjacent lands affect DFWP
properties. This perspective is rooted in a strong commitment to public involvement in
We^
management decisions. In 1983, the Department adopted a Noxious Control Program for
lands managed by the agency (DFWP 1983). The objective of the program is:
"to prevent, to the greatest extent possible, the reproduction, proliferation, and
distribution of agriculturally undesirable plant species throughout department
lands or from department lands onto adjacent lands."
Overall direction for regional implementation of the Noxious Weed Management Program is
provided by the Vision document and statutory requirements based in state law and local
ordinances. The purpose of DFWP Region 3’s Noxious Weed Management Plan (Plan) is to
describe theadministrativeand management framework to discourage theintroduction ofnoxious
weeds and to stabilize and reduce established noxious weed populations, thereby satisfying legal
mandates and serving as stewards of the natural and recreational resources within southwest
Montana. This Plan outlines an integrated approach to noxious weed management based on site
conditions whereby a variety of methods and techniques, including manual, cultural, biological,
and chemical treatments will be applied. More specifically, the objectives of the Plan are to:
• Meet legal requirements to manage plants declared as noxious weeds by the State,
Gallatin, Park, Jefferson, Silver Bow, Deer Lodge, Beaverhead, and Madison counties
in an ecologically responsible manner.
• Develop an integrated approach to noxious weed management and a strategy to prioritize
DFWP
treatment areas on administered properties.
• Work cooperatively with adjacent landowners and the County Weed Boards to enable
consistent and sound weed treatment efforts.
1
• Attempt to contain or reduce noxious weed populations, depending on the location and
density and to discourage the introduction of new noxious weed species.
• Conduct treatments in an ecologically responsible manner to protect and maintain fish,
wildlife, vegetation, and recreation resources and to ensure human health and safety.
1.2 Existing Statutory Requirements
The State of Montana has recognized the damaging effects of noxious weeds in laws and
regulations. The County Noxious Weed Control Act of 1979 (MCA 7-22-21-1 et seq., as
amended 1991, Appendix A) defines "noxious weeds" as "any exotic plant species established
or that may be introduced in the state which may render land unfit for agriculture, forestry,
livestock, wildlife, or other beneficial uses or that may harm native plant communities..."
Administered at the county level, this law requires counties to develop weed control districts to
plan and implement a weed control program. County commissioners appoint a district weed
board which is responsible for the administration and enforcement ofthe district’s noxious weed
control efforts. The law provides for the promulgation ofrules to list statewide noxious weeds
and, it allows for county-wide listing of additional species. In addition, this law also gives
specific direction to counties for cooperation with state and federal-aid programs. Furthermore,
the law states that "it is unlawful for any person to permit any noxious weed to propagate or go
to seed on his [or her] land" (7-22-2115) and, it encourages landowners to file weed control
plans (7-22-2116).
The weed species declared as noxious by the State of Montana (through the Department of
Agriculture) and by the individual county weed boards within the administrative boundaries of
DFWP
Region 3 are listed in Appendix B. The treatment ofnoxious weeds, particularly through
the use of herbicides, is also subject to other state and federal laws as well as the policies and
programs of other agencies. These are summarized in Appendix C.
1.3 Overview and Setting
DFWP
Exotic (non-native) "weedy" plants havebeen noted in Montana throughout this century.
DFWP
draws a distinction between "weedy" species and "noxious" species. recognizes the
value of some weed species to wildlife as food and/or cover. For example, some "weedy"
species in the composite family (e.g. dandelion, prickly lettuce, and goat’s beard) are important
components of upland game bird summer diets. As declared in law, "noxious" weeds are those
non-native species which are very aggressive and successful competitors for nutrients, moisture,
and space. In the past few decades, some noxious weed species have become significant
components of local vegetation communities, actually dominating some sites. Noxious weeds
may reduce vegetation biodiversity and may limit the diversity of wildlife. Native vegetation
species are also more desirable for providing erosion control and visual aesthetics.
2