Inland Mendocino Cooperative Weed Management Area

Minutes of the General WMA Meeting

January 16, 2007, 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM, Mendocino County Department of Agriculture

ACTIONS SUMMARY:

  1. [Details] Agenda approved;
  2. [Details] Public Meeting Format and Schedule modified (design meetings around different topics, postponed until mid- to late October) and approved;
  3. [Details] Next General WMA Meeting set for Thursday, March 15, 2007, 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM, Mendocino County Department of Agriculture.

MEETING DETAILS:

Attending: Documents forwarded by Tara in preparation for this meeting:
  1. NFWF Deliverables
  2. Public Meeting Format and Schedule
  3. Draft Memorandum of Agreement - Select a Format: DOC (?) PDF (?) ODT (?) RTF (?)
  4. Distaff Thistle Proposal (Project #2)
  5. Distaff Thistle Budget Worksheet (Project #2)
  6. Distaff Thistle Map
Hardcopies of these documents were distributed at the meeting.
The meeting was brought to order at 3:00 PM.

Discussion Item Kerry Heise provided herbarium specimens of a number of grasses that grow in Mendocino County. Some of the worst grass weeds in Mendocino County include: Cortaderia jubata (jubatagrass or black pampas grass) Glycerium declinata (invades vernal pools) Barbed goatgrass, Aegilops triuncialis (is one of the few weeds that will invade serpentine areas) Lolium perenne ssp. multiflorum (italian ryegrass, is still included in erosion mixes) Mendocino County has a broad spectrum of habitats, each with their characteristic native and non-native grasses.

In general, invasive grasses are widespread and are considered not eradicable. They will be part of the Mendocino County flora for the forseeable future. However, it is possible to reduce their density. Research at the Hopland Field Station is focused on cutural controls, such as burning, for suppression of invasive grasses. Identifying grasses can be a challenge. One new resource is the CD-based interactive key to weedy grasses developed by Joe DiTomaso. Such keys can be easier to use than the traditional dichotomous keys because you may use many characters. Tara has a copy and will bring this to the next WMA meeting for people to look at. Another resource is the posters produced by the California Native Plant Society, a 4-poster set that includes 3 for natives and 1 for non-native grasses. The Hopland Field Station holds a grass identification workshop occassionaly. One is being considered for the end of May or beginning of June. The event will be announced on the Hopland Field Station website (http://danrrec.ucdavis.edu/hopland/events.html)
The regular business meeting was started at 3:30 PM.

ACTION ITEM: Agenda approved.

No minutes of the previous meeting were available.
Discussion Item: Announcements were requested.
RT: The new books "Weeds of Western States" have just been released by the University of California. It is a 2 volume set; the price is $100, and it can be ordered on their website. It comes with a CD and photographs, which are designed to be put into Powerpoint presentations. This reference copy will be available at the Hopland Field Station. People are welcome to use our library and herbarium; just call beforehand to let us know you are coming. These books should be a good resource for many years to come.
TA: I will put a link for ordering these books on the IMCWMA website, on the resources page.
KH: In past have done weed identification workshop, its a good opportunity to sell manuals
TA: we'll send out a feeler to see who is interested in workshops.

Discussion Item: NFWF deliverables A list of the deliverables for the NFWF grant was included in the meeting materials, and is available from NFWF Deliverables. The grant proposal was not very specific on the nature of these products; thus we have a lot of flexibiliy in what we deliver.
  1. The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) is nearly done. It is based on model from MCWMA, modified slightly as needed.
  2. The IMCWMA website has a few pages published but is mostly under construction. We will be moving a number of pages over from Mendocino Coast WMA website with minor modifications. and will be using the assistance of an intern to help with website. We have been waiting to hire the intern until the NFWF contract was finalized. The latest news on the contract from the Mendocino RCD (the fiscal sponsor) is it is finalized and we are waiting for the Phase I funds arrive.
  3. Weed distribution maps. There are two steps to developing the maps: the first is collecting all available information so we don't spend time surveying where there is already a lot known. For this purpose, a meeting with BLM has been scheduled.
    KH: the Hopland herbarium has been recorded in a database.
    RT: the Hopland Field Station can make this database available, but does not have staff to assist people in using it.
    Other weed distributions that will be requested include: The second step is conducting weed surveys. This has already been started in the summer of 2006. The survey format was developed by the Coast WMA It is based on a 1-mile resolution. A 2-person team travels the roads by car. The passenger makes notes on form based on mile markers. There is a checklist of species to look for. Tara will give a more detailed presentation next time including a discussion of online data entry form. On the paper form, the observer makes a mark if the species is present. On the distribution maps that are created from the results, this is displayed as a black area for the PLS grid section in which the observed road segment is centered. We will also create a map showing the areas surveyed. The absence of a black area for a particular species does not indicated absence; the area may not have been surveyed or the species may not have been noticed. We have completed 100 or more miles already, including the major highways 101, 20, 128 We hope to cover more of the minor roads in 2007.
  4. Weed Prevention Area. This deliverable will be discussed in more detail later in the agenda
  5. PUblic meetings. These will also be discussed in more detail later in the agenda.
  6. Landscape Alternatives Brochures We started planning this educational material at the State-wide WMA meeting last September with the other North Coast WMA coordinators. The plan is to produce something similar to the Cal-IPC Don't Plant A Pest Brochure. It will be developed for the North Coast region.
  7. Best Management Practices Guidelines prevent weed introduction and dispersal in materials This deliverable is not well-defined at this stage. We are still at the stage of gathering information. We obtained verbal information from Caltrans at the last District Roadside Vegetation Management Advisory Committee (DRVMAC) meeting but we do not have a copy of Caltrans' formal policy. If any agencies have formal policies regarding materials, we would like to receive copies. BLM has guidelines, available at http://www.blm.gov/ca/pa/weeds/weedprevent.html
    LF: The National Forest has an informal policy; try to avoid doing it, but nothing is set up formally.
    RH: Caltrans has a weed-free policy regarding hay; they call us to inspect shipments of hay coming in to be distributed on road shoulders. The policy of the County Road Department is known.
    TA: I will check on the policy of the County Department of Transportation.
    ?: is there a state weed-free forage policy?
    RH: Growers can have their crops certified. A possible BMP would be to require certified mulch. To certify weed-free forage, the biologist from whichever county area covers that location will walk the field looking for any California Noxious Weeds. If an area is marked as infested, hay from that area cannot be sold as weed-free.
    RT: PG&E may have some policies; they do a good job, but the policy may not be written.
    ?: how do they clean their heavy equipment?
    TA: I will contact PG&E about this.
  8. Native Plant Propagation Curriculum and Pilot Workshop This deliverable will be a more elementary version of a workshop presented by Circuit Riders Productions. The CRP workshop was aimed at professional restoration practitioners who have significant botanical training. Ours will be aimed at landowners and teachers, for continuing education credit, and potentially to be incorporated directly into high school classes. Topics include: The program will include a lot of hands-on, in-the-field exercises. We will build from available curricula including
  9. IMCWMA Strategic Plan. In developing the Strategic Plan, we will make decisions about what are the highest priority activities to pursue following the NFWF project. In the development of the Strategic Plan, we will evaluate input from the public meetings.
  10. Pilot Weed control Program. The site or species to be controlled was not specified. Distaff thistle is good candidate.

ACTION ITEM: Public Meetings Format and Schedule
Material is included in the meeting packet Public Meeting Format and Schedule
When we conducted the community meetings for the Coast WMA, we encountered some difficulties with low attendance and an overly complex meeting format. Lessons Learned:

In order to get good attendance, we plan to coordinate with specific organizations rather than depend on media publicity. Such organizations could include: Regarding the meeting format, we have obtained a PowerPoint presentation from Cal-IPC, designed for presentation to the general public. It has images of weed impacts; we can also edit the presentation to add images of local interest. such as distaff thistle or purple starthistle The presentation covers common species such as yellow starthistle and Arundo. One of our aims is to focus more on uncommon species to alert people to look out for these and report if they are found.
RT:it would be a good idea to talk to the Farm advisors (UC Cooperative Extension) perhaps as individual meetings. The three staff members have different interests: They have a mission of public outreach and probably have ideas on the weed issues of concern for their clientele. They might also be able to assist in publicity in their newsletter. The Mendocino County Farm Bureau newsletter would also be a good method for publicity to that sector. Another interest group, professional botanists, may be contacted; their names and addresses are public knowledge.
Regarding the meeting format, the brainstorming sesseion went really well in the Coast WMA meetings, We got a lot of input; a good strategy would be to get to that more quickly in the format.
Regarding the time frame, the plan is to have all meetings in a short period, rather than drag them out That way it is possible to create one advertisement for all meetings. The earliest the meetings could be started would be the first of March.
Regarding locations, information was obtained on the population distribution in Mendocino County. Of the 90,000 total county residents, 70,000 are in the inland areas. Incorporated regions- Ukiah, Willits, ..- account for only 20,000 of the inland residents. The remaining 50,000 are in unincorporated communities. Logical location include: Ukiah, Willits, Laytonville (for the northern portion of the county) and Potter Valley. The Cloverdale area doesn't overlap into Mendocino County significantly.
RT: Carre Brown could provide help with outreach in Potter Valley.
A decision on the action item was requested- the item was not approved.
The timeframe is pretty quick to pull it all together. Although much of the meeting materials are available, if publicity will done through the newsletters of organization it will be necessary to have a longer timeframe. It is important to clarify the objective of the meetings: the purpose is to set priorities for Strategic Plan: what are the weed problems of highest priorities, what are solutions, what are issues that can help or hinder succes? The Strategic Plan will guide our efforts to seek further funding. It is also an opportunity to educate about the WMA. It is important to provide an answer to "What's in it for me?" There will be the PowerPoint presentation and materials for people to take home- brochure, contact list. An invited speaker could tweak their interest, but it is difficult to select a speaker for a broad audience. The Farm extension targets specific interest groups in their outreach; i.e. for ranchers, water quality. One size fits all will not be successful. Most of us have too many meetings to go to. Interest groups revolve around either economic or environmental concerns. These are best addressed in separate meetings. For example, in Potter Valley, target agricultural landowners. It is still possible to advertising at once, but have each meeting with a different focus. People can select the topic they are most interested in.
KH: suggest having the meetings in the Fall. Timing should such as to not conflict with harvest.
The project ends Dec 15. (Note in clarification: most project activities should be completed by November 1 to allow time to prepare the Final Report by December 1) What is the potential for new issues to surface? We could get the same information by calling a half-dozen of the right people. That would be more representative than who shows up at public meetings. Mid to Late October is post-harvest.
?: is there a questionnaire other WMAs have used to send to the public?
TA: a questionnaire was developed for the Coast WMA, but it was not mailed out.
From educational point of view, spring is best time - right before the weeds growing season, but if that is not primary purpose of meeting, should not direct the effort.
Based on the discussion, the following modification were proposed: The modified meeting format and timeframe were approved.


Discussion Item: The Memorandum of Agreement was distributed to meeting participants for review. Comments are requested.

Discussion Item: Weed Prevention Area
RH: For the last 9 years, I have been working on yellow starthistle on the Williams Ranch property, SW of Willits. This subdivision is the NW portion of the Old Ridgewood Ranch. Neighborhood participation has been increasing. We want to get more community effort to limit introduction and control any populations still existing. For this purpose, we developed a Weed Prevention Area (WPA) Plan. It is based on the WPA program from Montana which aims to keep weeds from moving from western Montana into eastern Montana. The plan is designed to promote active prevention. The next step is to take the plan to the Road Association for approval. Based on feedback from the Road Association, we will turn the plan into a template and try it out in Running Spring Ranch, where Chuck Williams has property. The plan will be printed on a double-sided sheet to be included with the Road Assoc mailing. The aim is to get them thinking .. "we don't have YST, we have it better than other people who do have it." Cooperation to control YST will protect economic and aesthetic values. Our strategy is to try this approach in areas where there is a good chance of success, where people have already put in effort to clear out the weed and are willing to cooperate to keep it out. Then we will mve on to areas where we have to work a little harder, such as areas around the distaff thistle populations where we have funding to eradicate the populations. We want people at and near these sites to get involved in monitoring.
JR: can you do outreach with companies that sell rental equipment to encourage clean-up.
RH: would be difficult- what is the economic incentive?
We discussed this with fire companies- to have equipment cleaned in advance so that there is no delay in deploying to a fire to clean the equipment. Whether this could be done with private companies is another question. If you are renting a trencher and you see mud on it, then educating landowners to take it to the carwash first before bringing it into the property is the idea. LJ: if you can educate landowners to say "I don't want that equipment, its not clean" or I'll go to XYZ where they clean the equipment, it might provide incentive.
RH: Most people don't even think about it, but when you send this flyers out and people think- the County stopped spraying roadsides and now we have weeds, perhpas people will get the idea that the equipment that moves around needs to be cleaned.
KH: There are not many rental yards; I think many of them wash their equipment.
JR: does this grant have funding for outreach to rental companies?
T: conceivably this could fit in with BMP for materials because thats what your going to use a lot of that equipment for.
RH: I've seen 3 pathways for introduction of YST

  1. in hay
  2. a pad, where someone got free fill
  3. the road grader
This association is not in a position to require the grader to clean his eqiupment but if landowners see a YST plant on the roadside, hopefully they'll stop and pull it.
JR: we're about to do a publication be sending out a mailing to 20,000 homes. There would be room for brief hints. This could help solve the problem of lack of awareness.
RH: I've talked to 3-4 neighbors that said they were not aware of the problem. Now they are getting behind it because they drive into the area and see the difference- they see grass instead of YST (even if its invasive grass)
T: Will see about getting blurbs to Julie
JR: within the next month, we're just starting to design it.

Discussion Item: Distaff Thistle (Carthamus lanatus)
RH: The WMA did get funding for the eradication of distaff thistle in Mendocino County. We are dealing with 2 sites at present. The owner in Redwood Valley has been contacted and he's willing to work with us. He's been working on the population for some time with his own workers and any help that he can get will be appreciated.
Another population is halfway between Talmage and Hopland. I've surveyed the land with the owner, she showed me were the distaff thistle is and she's prepared to provide us with access for survey and work. She has worked with CRP in the past. Her husband used to put a lot of effort into maintaining this; then he died, and not much work has been done for several years. We want to tackle it before it becomes an insurmountable problem.
T: as part of our funding we want to look for additional distaff populations Has it been seen on the Hopland field station? (A distaff thistle specimen was passed around- this is available for viewing at the Mendocino County Department of Agriculture.) Seeds are retained in the seed head.
RH: We keep a look out for smooth and woolly distaff thistle, woolly is the one that occurs in Mendocino Co. so far. When in bloom, it has bright yellow flowers. Sometimes it's on a single stem, sometimes it branches heavily. It tends to follow disturbed areas, dry creek beds, graded areas, degraded pastures, but it can spread outside of disturbed areas easily It blooms in late spring.
KH: have not seen it on the field station
RH: Another possible locations is in Covelo There is a known population in Laytonville, but we have not contacted the owner recently.
T: it is listed in Flora of Mendocino Co. on Fish Rock Rd. where it was observed in the 80's.
R: the patches down south are pretty dense The one in Hopland is patchy.

Discussion Item: Regarding other weeds of concern in Inland Mendocino County:
Barbed Goat grass is considered past eradication.
RH: As far as we know there is no inland gorse other than at Greenfields. Also gorse is not spreading rapidly in the inland areas.

ACTION ITEM: Next General WMA Meeting set for Thursday March 15, 2007, 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, Mendocino County Department of Agriculture.
Carre Brown from the Mendocino Farm Bureau will be speaking.
RH: They are always looking for interesting stuff to put in their magazine
TA: An article on distaff thistle appeared in September of last year. We might ask it to be released again a little earlier this year.
It was suggested to develop a sequence of 12 articles to appear in Mendocino Life on a monthly basis they could be repeated annually with updates.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 PM.
Minutes recorded by Tara Athan.