Proposed Dates of Use: As conditions and time permit May 24-25 ,2023
Street Address/Site Name: Various Open Space Sites, see list:
Wildhorse Ag Buffer – Throughout site from Pole Line Rd to Covell Blvd
North Davis Uplands – Throughout site, near driveway off F st
Cannery Farm Hedgerow – Throughout hedgerow feature on east edge of Cannery Farm
South Fork Preserve – Targeted areas on north and south side of creek, away from waterline
Howat Ranch - Cell tower facility
Detailed Location of Application Site: Included above.
Posting and Notification: Site notifications will be posted at least 48 hours before application via the pesticide application electronic notification system and at site entrances, remaining 24 hours after.
Pesticide Products: Telar (Chlorsulfuron2-Chloro-N-[(4-methoxy-6-methyl1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)aminocarbonyl]) EPA Reg #: 432-1561 Pesticide Type: Herbicide City Use Type: Tier II Limited-Use, more restrictive
Target Pests: Pepperweed.
Justification for Use: This herbicide use is justified due to the size of the site, size of infestation and growth stage of the existing weeds. The weeds reduce the amount of grass cover and therefore change the composition and structure of the habitat, reducing its value. Pepperweed also directly competes with milkweed, a native species that supports endangered Monarch Butterflies. A considerable investment was made to restore the site to native grasses in order to support resident and migratory wildlife and weeds threaten that investment.
Pepperweed is a management priority because it alters habitats and there is no reliable way to control it without herbicide. Mechanical cultivation or hand hoeing are not options because the plant can reproduce from vegetative material and these methods will actually increase the infestation. The plant can cause damage to infrastructure because it’s large, tuberous roots can undermine pipes, foundations and other facilities.
There is no reliable way to kill these weeds using non-chemical methods at the scale they exist on the site. Other than the reasons mentioned above, mechanical cultivation is not an option because the soil disturbance will hurt or kill the native grasses.
More information on the IPM Program, including the current Policies and Procedures guidance, can be found on the City's webpage: Integrated Pest Management
