Proposed Dates of Use: November 6, 2023-December 29, 2023; as weather conditions and time permit
Street Address/Site Name: Various Street Medians - Covell Street, Russell Boulevard, Mace Boulevard, Pole Line Road Medians, F Street Medians, Alhambra Drive, Danbury Street, 5th Street Medians, Shasta Drive Medians, Moore Blvd, 2nd Street, Cowell Blvd, Research Park Drive, Lake Blvd, Drummond Lane.
Detailed Location of Application Site: Street medians clear of pedestrian traffic.
Posting and Notification: A notice of 48 hours will be given before the application. No applications will be in the vicinity of playgrounds, schools or picnic areas.
Pesticide Products:
Products (W/ active ingredients): Cheetah Pro: Glufosinate Ammonium
EPA Reg #: No. 228-743
Pesticide Type: Herbicide
City Use Type: Tier 3, Less hazardous, Least restrictive
Target Pests: Various broadleaf weeds and grasses
Justification for Use: This herbicide use is justified because it is the only reliable method to keep the identified areas safe and free of vegetation. The medians are decomposed granite or compacted dirt and they can become overgrown with vegetation during the wet season due to regular inputs of new seed from natural causes and our other management activities. Mowing or string trimming are not reliable ways to manage the vegetation in these specific areas because they do not kill the plants and actually promote new growth on the grasses. It is also hard on equipment and operators to mow/trim over gravel because the small rocks are thrown around.
Explanation of IPM Methods Used: As previously stated, crews have completed mechanical controls (ex. string trimmers, steaming, and hand pulling) in the medians in an attempt to eradicate the weeds. String trimming is utilized when the weeds are already tall and have become both an aesthetic and safety issue. Steaming has been tested during early growth. Cultural controls (ex. landscape fabric, direct irrigation) have been extensively utilized.
String trimmers throw debris and rocks when in use, which endangers individuals and their property in these high-volume throughways of the City. The practices of trimming and mulching serve only to perpetuate the issue, as they create conducive conditions for weed growth. As the weeds are trimmed, their seeded remains are spread throughout the area. Even when they are cleared by raking, the seeds remain embedded in the soils. The mulch provides a protective layer and moisture that enables germination of the newly spread seeds, and this creates a larger area of weed material in the planters. Steaming was tested as a less hazardous alternative to string trimming, but regrowth and new growth were observed within weeks post treatment. Additionally, steaming requires the closure of a traffic lane to accommodate equipment which increases resource demands and associated costs.
This proposed application is part of our overall integrated pest management of the sites. We currently employ almost exclusively non-chemical control measures at the majority of our rights-of-way including mowing, trimming, hoeing and hand pulling where and when appropriate.
Cheetah Pro herbicide is considered a least-toxic alternative to the use of glyphosate or a similar chemical that would historically be recommended for this application.
Strategies to Prevent Future Applications: The primary strategy to prevent future herbicide applications is to manage the emerging vegetation with well-timed herbicide applications, thus preventing seed-set and reducing future infestation of the areas. Options such as hardscaping are being explored in certain areas, but this will not be suitable for all applications.
More information on the IPM Program, including the current Policies and Procedures guidance, can be found on the City's webpage: Integrated Pest Management
