Proposed Dates of Use: April 1, 2023 – May 31, 2023

Street Address/Site Name: City of Davis, Wastewater Treatment Plant, 45400 Country Road 28H

Detailed Location of Application Site: Road tops and edges, rock beds, spot spraying around plant including DG areas, around plant process equipment, Cracks, Walkways, fence lines, bone yard and gravel parking areas, Rock areas around process equipment, and other notable areas.

Posting and Notification: A notice of 72 hours will be given before the application. No applications will be in the vicinity of playgrounds, schools or picnic areas. Additionally, this area can be locked down restricting the use of pedestrian traffic.

Pesticide Products:

• Product (W/ active ingredients): LIFELINE Glufosinate-ammonium (CAS No.77182-82-2) 24.5%
  EPA Reg #: 70506-310
  Pesticide Type: Herbicides
  City Use Type: Tier 3 – Limited Use. Least restrictive
   
• Product (W/ active ingredients): CAPSTONE Aminopyralid 2.22% Triclopyr 16.22%
  EPA Reg #: 62719-572
  Pesticide Type: Herbicide
  City Use Type: Tier 2 Hazard. Limited use, more restrictive
   
• Product (W/ active ingredients): ACTIVATOR 90 – Alkylphenol ethoxylate, alcohol ethoxylate and tall oil fatty acid 90% Constituents ineffective as spray adjuvant 10%
  EPA Reg #: CA Reg. No. 34704-50034
  Pesticide Type: Activator – Non-ionic surfactant penetrant
  City Use Type: Tier 2 Hazard. Limited use, more restrictive
   
• Product (W/ active ingredients): SCYTHE- Pelargonic Acid 57%
  EPA Reg #: 10163-325
  Pesticide Type: Herbicides
  City Use Type: Tier 2 Hazard. Limited use, more restrictive

Target Pests: Various broadleaf weeds and grasses

Justification for Use: This herbicide use is justified due to the need for safe access to these critical infrastructure facilities year –round. PW staff need to be able to safely access stations, roads and facilities throughout the year to perform maintenance and react to changing conditions during the rainy season. Also, the Treatment Plant has a regulatory requirement to keep levees free of vegetation for State inspectors. The chemicals identified here will provide effective control of the broad range of vegetation that is found in and around the listed sites. By performing well-timed herbicide applications, plant staff will be able to reduce the amount of vegetation without compromising the rest of their mission. All application areas herbicide use will be mostly limited to areas that do not allow for other methods.

Explanation of IPM Methods Used: Staff will only use herbicides in the areas identified above. All other acreage included in storm water management areas is maintained without pesticides. Areas that can be mowed or trimmed will receive those treatments, as needed to keep access clear and fire risk low. Crews will do hand trimming, and pruning in areas that mowing is not accessible by tractors.

Strategies to Prevent Future Applications: Effective, well-timed control will decrease pesticide usage over time because less seed and reproductive material will be present in the soil. However, the need for access to secure public safety may affect this trend, depending on conditions such as rainfall amounts, timing and ground temperature. We propose to reduce our use in the following ways:

• Use herbicides like Round up to provide log-term control summer of weeds and promote the growth of annual grasses in certain areas. In this scenario, crews will mow in late spring/early summer to provide safe access without the maintenance requirement of dealing with summer weeds like star thistle and mustard.
•  Keep Oxidation ponds maintained per State recommendations.
• Practice responsible vehicle access during wet months to prevent road damage and the need for repair work that is a vector for invasive species.
• Clean and maintain all equipment before and after use to prevent the transfer of seeds and plant materials between sites and/or into sensitive areas. 
• Continue to promote the use of tree canopy to shade conveyance channels and prevent weed growth that blocks flow here at the Plant and Wetlands.
• Continue to use weed eaters and other mechanical means to control as much as possible to reduce the amount of herbicide usage.

More information on the IPM Program, including the current Policies and Procedures guidance, can be found on the City's webpage: Integrated Pest Management