Proposed Dates of Use: As conditions and time permit on November 3, 2023 (please note: should there be a higher than 50% chance of rain on Saturday by Friday morning, the City will not conduct the application)
Street Address/Site Name: Cannery Hedgerow
Detailed Location of Application Site: Throughout the hedgerow between the small farm field and the adjacent ag property, from Covell north to the start of the fenced area.
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: Vastlan (Triclopyr choline: 2-[(3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinyl)oxyacetic acid, choline salt)
EPA Reg #: 62719-687
Pesticide Type: Herbicide
City Use Type: Tier II Limited-Use, more restrictive
Target Pests: Woody vegetation that poses an obstruction to the ROW and that is being used as habitat by ground squirrels.
Justification for Use: This herbicide use is justified due to the need to conduct fire-fuel abatement in transportation maintenance areas, and for safe, year-round vehicle access to the infrastructure. Dense woody vegetation in close proximity to roads and paths poses a threat to users because it blocks visibility and can physically block the lanes. City operations staff is also experiencing increased call for fire abatement in all areas of town. Open Space staff also needs to safely access these areas throughout the year to perform maintenance and react to changing conditions during the rainy season.
Cutting back most species of trees and shrubs (the current management program) does not kill the vegetation. Instead, this management technique causes multi-stemmed regrowth that becomes even thicker and more difficult to manage. Herbicide stump-cut treatments are necessary to kill the unwanted vegetation and prevent regrowth, thus reducing the need for additional vegetation management going forward.
More information on the IPM Program, including the current Policies and Procedures guidance, can be found on the City's webpage: Integrated Pest Management
