PERMFILE128898

• Permit No: C1980001
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 3/20/2006
• Doc Name: Weed Management Plan
• Section_Exhibit Name: 4.4 Appendix 4.4-G
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

However, tillage can prove to be a time consuming control method. It also has the
drawback of indiscriminately impacting all vegetation interspersed with weeds in
established areas. Thus, tillage can eliminate competitive, desirable vegetation
leaving behind a prime seed bed for weeds to reinvade. Mowing can be an effective
method for controlling the spread of an infestation and preventing the formation and
dispersal of seeds. Mowing is most effective on weeds which spread solely or
primarily by seed. In order to achieve this, it must be repeated at least twice during
the growing season prior to, or shortly after bloom. Also, even the most intense
mowing treatment will not kill hazdy perennial weeds. Burning or cutting performs
essentially the same function as mowing.
2. Biological control consists of pest specific insects and pathogens, intensive grazing
methods, and maintaining desirable competitive vegetation. This method can be a
very effective control and is gaining in popularity due to potential undesirable
environmental side effects associated with chemical control and the obvious
disturbances created by conventional tillage methods. The method of control
utilizing pest specific insects and pathogens to adequately control noxious weeds is
really in its infancy. Many of our worst weed species have been introduced from
foreign lands where most if not all of their natural enemies were left behind.
Recently, many of these natural predators have been introduced into this country in
an attempt to reduce unchecked weed infestations. One of the more successful
examples of biological control involves Musk Thistle (Carduus nutans) and an
insect called Rhinoculus conicus whose larva feed on the seeds of the Musk Thistle. .
When introduced into a infestation of thistle this insect has proven very effective in
reducing the plant populations over time. Other plant specific insects aze currently
in the preliminary stage of testing and availability. Another biological control is the
use of animals (primarily sheep and goats) to graze noxious weeds which are
generally unpalatable to cattle and wildlife. This performs essentially the same
function as mowing which is to prevent the formation of seeds, however, as with
mowing, this method will generally not eliminate tough perennial weeds. One of the
best biological controls is to establish competitive desirable vegetation before
noxious weeds have a chance to become established and especially after a stand of
noxious weeds has been treated. This is often overlooked, but it is an important
follow up step in preventing reestablishment of noxious weeds.
3. Chemical control consists mostly of selective and non-selective herbicides. When
properly executed, chemical control provides rapid results which can be quite
effective. Plant growth regulators aze also included in the chemical control
category, but they generally are not used on the noxious weed species of concern in
a control and eventual eradication scheme.
Since the list of herbicides is so extensive it is suggested that the local Weed
District, Extension Service, Soil Conservation Service or the Division be contacted
to provide input in choosing the right products for the job. There are literally
hundreds of herbicides to choose from. They range from narrow to wide control
-9-