Notice of Intent to Spray - North Davis Uplands, South Fork Preserve, Mace Ranch Park Passive Recreation Area, Woodbridge Natural Area, Howat Ranch, Wildhorse Ag Buffer, Parks Corporation Yard
Proposed Dates of Use: As conditions and time permit the week of December 11-15, 2023
Street Address/Site Name: North Davis Uplands, South Fork Preserve, Mace Ranch Park Passive Recreation Area, Woodbridge Natural Area, Howat Ranch, Wildhorse Ag Buffer, Parks Corporation Yard
Detailed Location of Application Site: Throughout managed areas
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: Lifeline: Glufosinate Ammonium 24.5%; MSO Surfactant: Methylated vegetable oil, alcohol ethoxylate, phosphatidylcholine 100% EPA Reg: No. 70506-310; N/A Pesticide Type: Herbicide City Use Type: Tier 3 hazard ranking- least restrictive; Tier 2 limited-use, more restrictive
Target Pests: Various grasses and forbs in the identified areas.
Justification for Use: This herbicide use is justified because it is a viable and less-toxic alternative to other broad-spectrum herbicides. Some weeds are not able to be managed by hand or mechanically due to their growth characteristics or proximity to desirable plants. Mowing or string trimming are not reliable ways to manage the vegetation in these specific areas because they leave the plants and actually promote new growth on grasses. Other species have large roots and reproduce vegetatively, meaning that digging or cultivating can actually spread the problem.
This proposed application is part of our overall integrated pest management of the sites. City staff currently employs almost exclusively non-chemical control measures at the majority of Open Space sites including mowing, trimming, hoeing, hand pulling and solarization. Staff found out last year solarization is not an effective method to control vegetation on the paths because the gravel interferes with the process of heating the soil.
The primary strategy to prevent future herbicide applications is to manage the emerging vegetation with herbicide, thus preventing seed-set and future infestation of the areas. This will be hard to do and may require at least one annual Lifeline application each year.
More information on the IPM Program, including the current Policies and Procedures guidance, can be found on the City's webpage: Integrated Pest Management
