Proposed Dates of Use: April 9th, 2024 – April 19th 2024; as weather conditions and operational factors permit
Street Address/Site Name: 45400 Country Road 28H, City of Davis Wetlands
Detailed Location of Application Site: Road tops and edges; Spot spraying near pump structures, equipment, and similar infrastructure.
Round up to be used on road tops, edges, and areas where run off is unlikely to occur.
Posting and Notification: Site notifications will be posted at least 48 hours before application at site entrances and will remain posted for 24 hours, and via the pesticide application electronic notification system.
Pesticide Products: Lifeline, Capstone, Activator 90, Scythe, Round up Custom
Product (W/ active ingredients): LIFELINE Glufosinate-ammonium 24.5%
EPA Reg #: 70506-310 (CAS No.77182-82-2)
Pesticide Type: Herbicide
City Use Type: Tier 3. Least Hazardous. 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. Less Hazardous. Less 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. Less Hazardous. Less Restrictive
Product (W/ active ingredients): SCYTHE - Pelargonic Acid 57%
EPA Reg #: 10163-325
Pesticide Type: Herbicide
City Use Type: Tier 2. Less Hazardous. Less Restrictive
Product (W/ active ingredients): Round up Custom – Glyphosate 53.8%
EPA Reg #: 524-343
Pesticide Type: Herbicide
City Use Type: Tier 1. Most Hazardous. Most Restrictive. Primary use on levee and pond road tops and edges. Rock area around clarifiers and solids building. All areas are closed to the public during applications.
Target Pests: Tier 2 & 3 Use - Various broadleaf weeds and grasses. Tier 3 Use - Pepper weed, short-pod mustard, black mustard, Italian thistle, yellow star thistle, milk thistle, fluellin, & other annual weeds
Justification for Use: This herbicide use is justified due to the need for safe access to these critical infrastructure facilities year–round. PW staff require the ability 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 product listed will provide effective control of the broad range of weedy vegetation that is found in and around the listed sites. By performing well-timed herbicide applications, PW staff will be able to reduce the amount of unwanted vegetation.
Pepper weed is of particular concern because there is no reliable way to control them without herbicide. Mechanical cultivation or hand hoeing are not viable options of control due to the plant’s ability to reproduce from segmented vegetative material. These methods will actually increase the infestation. These plants can cause damage to stations and road tops because of their large, tuberous roots which can undermine pipes, foundations and other facilities.
Explanation of IPM Methods Used: Staff will only use herbicide 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 continue to do hand trimming, and pruning in areas not accessible to mowing equipment.
Strategies to Prevent Future Applications: Reducing the reliance on future applications through the following actions.
• Practice responsible vehicle access during wet months to prevent road damage and the need for repair work that may promote weed growth.
• 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 use hand and power tools to keep control of the weeds as much as possible.
• Keep Oxidation ponds maintained per state recommendations.
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.
Additional comments: This justification will allow staff to continue to meet their mandate for public health and safety, while reducing the overall reliance on conventional pesticides. Staff have extensive experience with vegetation management and leverage their knowledge to protect the public from off-target risks associated with all Pesticide/Herbicide.
More information on the IPM Program, including the current Policies and Procedures guidance, can be found on the City's webpage: Integrated Pest Management
