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| setting up to spray for perennial sowthistle |
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Noxious Weed Spraying
In spite of the abundant rains this summer, we made significant progress on removing Perennial Sowthistle. This year, the District discontinued custom spraying crops in order to focus heavily on the noxious weeds. At the end of the season, after the plants have shut down, we do a sowthistle inventory where we visit every site we have found sowthistle within the past 5 years. This years inventory turned up only two sites with sowthistle still growing.
In 2008, District staff also began an inventory of noxious weeds along the road system within the District boundaries. The purpose is to identify noxious weed infestations now in order to reduce response time when the state authorizes treatment of them along right of ways. A similar inventory was begun along the section of the Alaska Pipeline right of way that lies within the boundaries of the District. The focus of the Noxious Weed Program has been the eradication of noxious weeds from the District. Good progress was made during the summer of 2008. Emphasis was placed on accurate GPS coordinates and field records to allow follow-up visits.
The District began a berm removal effort to assist in the treatment of noxious weeds on farm ground. The berms have prevented effective treatment of the weeds by sheltering them from herbicide application and preventing tillage operations. By removing the berms, we make it possible for the infested areas to be managed along with the rest of the field. Farmers agree to plant and maintain a crop in the areas, including treatment of noxious weeds, for a period of at least 5 years. Competition with crops, timely harvest, and proper fertilization will help eradicate the target weeds, while reducing the amount of herbicide that needs to be applied. Approximately 44 miles of berms have been removed.
District technicians worked with Agricultural Research Service and Alaska Department of Transportation on a research trial for controlling roadside vegetation in Delta for the third year. The study will provide information about herbicide rates, delivery methods, movement through soil, and carry-over. With the increasing threat from invasive plants to our ecosystem, this information will help Alaska respond safely and effectively to invasive plants as the new state invasive weed plan is developed.
Bird Vetch has been found along some of the right of ways. We will be working with Alaska DOT to address this weed next summer, either by DOT or by the District. The inventory underway will greatly help our Early Detection/Rapid Response capability for this weed. The goal of the District is to be able to move quickly on new infestations before they have a chance to develop a seed bank.
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