Skamania County Noxious Weed Control Program

“Making a Difference in Skamania County”

2013 Annual Programmatic Report

Noxious Weed Control Program 509-427-3941 weeds@co.skamania.wa.us

http://www.skamaniacounty.org/noxious-weeds/

Hikers and trail maintenance personnel use the boot brush at the Cape Horn Trailhead to prevent the spread of weeds along the Columbia

Gorge trail system.

Board Goals and Priorities

1) Annually adopt the Skamania County Noxious Weed List.

2) To improve countywide noxious weed education and public awareness about integrated pest management and biological control.

3) Continuously monitor and document the presence and spread of noxious weeds throughout Skamania County.

4) Nurture cooperative working relationships with county residents, landowners, land managers, tribes, and local, state, and federal agencies.

5) Seek and secure adequate funding to support continued success of the Skamania County Noxious Weed Control Program.

Skamania County Noxious Weed Control Program P.O. Box 369 704-A SW Rock Creek Drive Stevenson, WA 98648

Board Mission

Our mission is to serve as responsible stewards to limit the economic loss and adverse environmental effects to Skamania County’s agricultural, natural, recreational, and human resources as a result of the presence and spread of noxious weeds on all terrestrial and aquatic areas in the county. We believe prevention of noxious weeds is the best approach and may be achieved through full implementation of the state noxious weed law. To further this approach, we strive for increased public awareness through improved educational efforts.

“Best Informational Booth” award for the Skamania County Noxious Weed Program at the 2013 Skamania County Fair

Herbicide application on Canada thistle at the Hemlock Lake restoration area.

Skamania County Noxious Weed Control Board The noxious weed control board members are appointed from five geographic areas within Skamania County. Each appointed board member has a duty to represent their geographic area. Board members serve a term of four years before seeking reappointment.

District 1 Sally Newell, Chair Underwood, WA 509-493-3624

District 2 Steve Hansen

Stevenson, WA 509-427-5069

District 3 Kenneth Cole North Bonneville, WA 509-427-8418

District 4 Kenneth Bajema, Vice-Chair Washougal, WA 360-837-3273

District 5 Larry Willson Washougal, WA 360-835-8115

Ex-Officio Member Todd Murray WSU Extension Director PO Box 369 710 SW Rock Creek Drive Stevenson, WA 98648 509-427-3931 tmurray@wsu.edu

2013 Program Staff Program Coordinator Justin Bush 509-427-3941 bush@co.skamania.wa.us

Partnership Specialists Cyndi Soliz 509-427-3942 soliz@co.skamania.wa.us Emily Stevenson 509-427-3940 estevenson@co.skamania.wa.us

Natural Resource Workers David Accetta Caylen Valentine-George Thomas Mercil Kristi Walker Jean Sizemore

Natural Resource Aides Joshua Judd Rachel Ohnemus Kisdon Roe

Letter from the Chair On behalf of the Skamania County Noxious Weed Control Board, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for taking time to read about our program. As a board, we are very proud of our staff and crews for the achievements they made this year. In spite of funding reductions, they have made significant progress in the battle against noxious weeds in Skamania County. This fall we bid a fond farewell to our coordinator, Justin Bush. Justin did a lot to raise our profile regionally and carry the program forward, particularly as relates to weed mapping technology. We’ll miss him, and wish him well as he continues his career in invasives control. Noxious weeds pose a serious threat to the health and safety of county residents, wildlife and habitat. Weeds are an economic threat to agriculture, recreation and forestry. They also impact public infrastructure such as roads and power lines. Despite continued funding challenges this year, our dedicated staff worked hard to carry out the board’s vision, mission and goals. The board is particularly pleased with the work done to elevate public awareness of the dangers posed by invasive noxious weeds through proactive weed prevention signage and public outreach activities region wide. This report summarizes the broad scope of activities undertaken by the Skamania County Noxious Weed Program staff in 2013. It is an impressive body of work and clearly illustrates our commitment to the citizens and resources of Skamania County. As we transition into 2014 with a new coordinator, we look forward to working with you again as we continue our important mission.

Sally Newell

Benefit to the community by creating jobs, patronizing local businesses and enhancing recreational opportunities county-wide.

10,191 hours of total staff time

Provided 1 full-time position

Provided 1 part-time, permanent position

Provided 5 full-time, temporary positions

Provided 1 part-time, temporary position

Provided 3 short-duration, temporary positions

Increased worker skills and marketability by providing specialized training and licenses

Assisted 350+ community members with noxious weed issues

Protection and enhancement of land and resources through weed control.

Manual & chemical control on 2,611.8 acres

Release of 2,100 biological controls to knapweed, Scotch broom, & yellow starthistle

Prevention education to over 117,900 individuals

Leveraged funds to maximize county investment & program footprint

Leveraged over $249,000 in grants and agreements

Partnership & coordination with local, state, federal, private and non-governmental organizations.

Including 3 regional weed collaborative groups and 30 individual entities

Provided locally produced weed free hay through certification.

31 tons certified for use on National Forest System lands

Programmatic Funding Overview

Cape Horn Conservancy

Cowlitz PUD # 1

Corps of Engineers

Gifford Pinchot National Forest

National Scenic Area

WA Department of Ecology

WA Department of Agriculture

Klickitat County

Skamania County

Cascade Pacific RC&D

WA State Parks & Recreation

Surplus Property Sale

Yakama Nation

Skamania County Noxious Weed Control Program

“Making a Difference in Skamania County”

2013 Program Overview Noxious Weed Control Program

509-427-3941 weeds@co.skamania.wa.us http://www.skamaniacounty.org/noxious-weeds/

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Overall Direction and Major Results toward Programmatic Goals

To understand the progress of this program in 2013, one should begin by reviewing goals from the previous year-end. The themes included: early detection and rapid response, an emphasis on protecting recreation and aquatic resources, strengthening regional partnerships and increasing awareness and collaboration between public, non-profit and private organizations. In assessing accomplishments for 2013, the program has successfully met its goals. Given the financial hardships in Skamania County government, achieving programmatic goals has been challenging. A challenge however, that the dedicated staff of the Skamania County Noxious Weed Program committed to with exemplary results. Only through partnerships with non-governmental, regional, state, local, and federal organizations has this program been successful in achieving its goals. We thank our cooperators and partners for their continued support and assistance.

The Skamania County budget crisis is far from over. However, we believe that by prioritization and adaptation, the positive outcome of the program’s actions can be maximized for the good of the economy, community, and the environment.

Noxious Weed Law Enforcement and Noxious Weed Law Compliance

The Skamania County Noxious Weed Control Board and Program exist to locally enforce Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 17.10, also known as the state noxious weeds laws. If landowners are not compliant with the laws, they risk citation and lien placement on the property. A total of 17 landowners were formally contacted about violations. Most of the landowners contacted the weed program coordinator, who provided technical assistance for control and monitored compliance. In all, 6 landowners contacted about their weed violations did not acknowledge initial contact mailings. They received a formal notice of violation and order to correct. At that time, the Skamania County Prosecutor’s Office was also made aware of the violation and order to correct, in order to prepare for civil infraction. All but one landowner acknowledged receipt of the notice of violation and worked with the weed program to correct the issue without further legal proceedings.

Utilizing a lake rake to identify aquatic plants in Goose Lake. Staff inventoried Goose Lake in 2013 in order to protect aquatic resources.

Certified weed free forage yellow and purple twine. (Photo: Idaho Department of Agriculture)

Washington Wilderness Hay & Mulch Management (WWHAM) Program

Invasive plants can be introduced to natural areas from contaminated hay, mulch, straw, and raw feeds. The US Forest Service initiated 36 CFR 261.58(t) to help prevent the introduction of new weed seeds into designated wilderness areas and all Forest Service lands. Effective January 1, 2009, commercially processed feed pellets and/or certified weed-free straw and feed are required for all U.S. Forest Service lands in Pacific Northwest National Forests. In Washington State, the Washington State Department of Agriculture is responsible for administering the weed free hay and mulch certification program.

County staff has been authorized to perform inspection by the Washington State Department of Agriculture and use the standards and procedures of the WWHAM program. Following state protocols for certification, inspections are conducted within 10 days prior to cutting of fields. Surrounding areas must also be free of weeds or propagating parts of any weeds on the Washington noxious weed list or the North American Weed Management Association list so

that hay and straw certified will meet the standards of the US Forest Service and other agencies requiring noxious weed-free forage and mulch.

Certification of weed free hay and mulch provides assurance that contaminated hay will not be transported into national forests and damage public resources. As a service to residents, county staff certified 31 tons of weed free hay in 2013. This weed free product was grown locally and available to purchase locally.

Education and Outreach A priority of the Noxious Weed Program is public outreach, providing training classes and workshops to landowners, state and federal agencies, students, community members, volunteers, and collaborative groups. Staff members answer questions about weed species and provide technical assistance with control and site restoration. In 2013, program staff hosted an Invasive Species and Exotic Pest Workshop on March 29. Presentations provided participants opportunities to learn about exotic pest identification, aquatic invasive species, herbicide technology, biological control alternatives and more. The workshop was well attended by 108 people who earned recertification credits toward their pesticide license in Washington or Oregon.

CGCWMA Weed ID booklet

Skamania County staff conducted 6 workshops specific to trail user groups in order to encourage prevention of weed spread on the Columbia River Gorge trail system utilizing early detection, rapid response (EDRR) practices. Skamania County hosted an information center for the public at the Skamania County Fair, August 14-18. It is estimated that approximately 750 people were provided with information on the importance of prevention, plant identification, and how to control invasive plants.

Collaboration

Weed control is best approached with a long term perspective, with partnerships and educational awareness being the key to prevention and control. Additionally, partnerships can access new sources of funding and increase regional productivity. Regional organizations coordinate efforts outside of boundaries, between agencies and stakeholders so that our control efforts and messages shared with the public will be consistent and ensure success of landscape scale management. Skamania County is a participating member of the 4 County, Lower Columbia, and Columbia Gorge Cooperative Weed Management Areas. Columbia Gorge Cooperative Weed Management Area

Participation in the Columbia Gorge Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA) has enhanced and developed many projects for the gorge region to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species and noxious weeds. These issues, extending across all ownerships, require collaboration and partnerships for effective management on a landscape scale.

The CWMA obtained a nationally competitive grant to implement a regional early detection, rapid response (EDRR) program and to increase public awareness of invasive species.

The CWMA’s 22 partnering organizations coordinated to share legacy infestation location data in both Washington and Oregon with national databases. Inventory data was collected at 40 priority sites and boot brushes were installed at 25 trailheads throughout the Gorge. Another element of the project was the development of “Worst Weeds of the Gorge, a Guide for Early Detection and Rapid Response in the Columbia River Gorge.” This Weed ID booklet features

EDRR training for Friends of the Columbia Gorge Hike Leaders, April 2013

weeds of specific concern to the Columbia River Gorge Cooperative Weed Management Area as designated by CWMA members. This booklet was distributed to the public and specific user groups were targeted for education. Skamania County staff held a total of 6 workshops for hiking groups, backcountry horsemen, trail maintenance and stewardship groups, and land owner associations. The ID booklet was featured along with citizen weed reporting and mapping applications, trailhead boot brush locations, and the importance of early detection, rapid response to prevent the spread of weeds. In addition, QR codes with a link to the booklet were posted at trailheads enabling smart phone users to access the ID booklet. The booklet is posted online at the following link: http://www.capehorntrail.org/EDRRbook_12MB.pdf

Projects US Forest Service Projects

Skamania County, in partnership with the US Forest Service, Klickitat, Cowlitz, and Lewis counties perform integrated weed management with herbicide and manual treatments on national forest land. This work utilizes approved Site-Specific Invasive Plant Treatment and Forest Plan Amendment criteria. Skamania County staff members controlled 2,326.23 acres of National Forest System lands on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument and the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. In addition to Gifford Pinchot National Forest treatments, the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area office worked with Skamania County on projects in the Gorge at Collins Creek, St. Cloud Day Use Area, High Valley, Pond Turtle habitats, the Cape Horn overlook, and Bonneville Wetlands. The Skamania County herbicide applicators assisted Cowlitz County with mouse ear hawkweed control on sensitive habitat on the Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument.

Skamania-Klickitat County Knotweed Project

The program initiated the Skamania Klickitat County Knotweed Project in 2013 with a grant awarded by the Washington Department of Agriculture for $40,000.00. Since 2004, Skamania County has received funding for the knotweed program and has assisted over 240 private and public landowners.

Knotweed Treatment Locations

Boat Launch Prevention Signage

Through this ongoing effort, over 200 acres of knotweed have received treatment, resulting in eradication or achieving a level of control manageable by landowners. The goal of the Knotweed Project is to transition landowners into maintenance of their knotweed sites in order to ensure sustainability for the effort already made. The Skamania County Noxious Weed Program plans to educate and advise landowners on methodology for knotweed control and its benefit to riparian ecosystems beyond 2013.

Class A Eradication Project

Skamania continued to address Class A weed control on species within Skamania County with support from the Washington State Department of Agriculture. The goal of Class A weed control is to eradicate them before they gain a foot hold. Class A weeds are required by law to be treated by landowners. Skamania County staff targeted garlic mustard, shiny geranium, Spanish broom, eggleaf spurge, and perennial false-brome. Skamania County treated 46.8 acres of Class A noxious weeds in 2013.

Columbia Gorge Aquatic Weed Project

In 2013, the Washington State Department of Ecology awarded Skamania County $15,197 to implement an aquatic weed project to inventory aquatic weed species on 104 river miles of the Columbia River shoreline. Program staff will develop a management plan to be disseminated to stakeholders in Spring 2014. Other elements of the project include installation of prevention signage at public boat launches on the Columbia River and hosting a workshop to assist with project development, permitting, and planning for all regional partners.

Treating Class A Shiny Geranium on Blue Lake Road, 2013

Aquatic Invasive Species Inventory Project In 2013, the Skamania County Noxious Weed Control Program, in partnership with the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, continued to inventory aquatic invasive species (AIS) in the Columbia Gorge and the Mt. Adams Ranger District. In 2013, the inventory area was expanded to include the Mt. Saint Helens National Volcanic Monument and the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Overall, 12 lakes were inventoried in 2013, providing information for managers to begin addressing aquatic issues and to prevent movement of aquatic invasive species to unaffected areas. Pacific RC&D - Skamania County Noxious Weed Control Program Inventory and Survey Regional Workshop Skamania County provided GIS based survey/inventory training to multiple Cooperative Weed Management Area partners as well as interested natural resource managers and the public. The hands-on training helped land owners/managers define objectives of developing management plans and provided them different tools to achieve their goals. Participants utilized a variety of tools to effectively inventory and survey plant species in order to assist with invasive plant control inventory, management planning, and control. Training highlighted invasive plant species assessment and delineation including threatened, sensitive or endangered species (TESP). The workshop provided basic training in field Geographic Information Systems (GIS); aerial photography assessment; consumer-grade geographic positioning system (GPS) use; and standard information required for assessment and management planning. Topics included an introduction to reporting tools such as iMapInvasives and EDDMapS. Participants received monitoring technique training, including proper methodology for photo points and treatment efficacy protocols. Participants were provided resource notebooks containing articles on a multitude of survey topics, useful resources, and template paper inventory/monitoring forms to modify for their own use.

Coldwater Lake, Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument

Weed infestations identified on the North Shore

US Army Corps of Engineers Projects In 2013, the weed program provided assistance to the Army Corps of Engineers at Bonneville Lock and Dam. The program provided a comprehensive, site-specific weed inventory of the North Shore Management Unit. In total, approximately 31 total acres of noxious weeds were identified on site, consisting of 516 individual populations. This information will assist the Corps with developing management plans and implementing control of invasive plants. The noxious weed program also provided control of Scotch broom at two locations. Forest Youth Success Project The Skamania County Noxious Weed Program participates in providing projects and education for the Forest Youth Success (FYS) Program. FYS provides hands on learning experiences for youth teaching the fundamentals of ecology and management along with other skills that develop a sense of responsibility for forest and community. In 2013, weed staff members provided training on plant identification, invasive control methods and habitat value. Youth crews removed invasive plants on 28.8 acres at Skookum Meadow, site of 2011 Rainbow Gathering of Living Light. Cowlitz County PUD Cowlitz County PUD contracted with the Skamania County Noxious Weed Program to control invasive plant species as they occur at the Swift No. 2 Hydroelectric Project in Cowlitz and Skamania counties, and at the Devil's Backbone Wildlife Habitat Management Area. Herbicide treatment occurred on 121.05 acres to control invasive weeds and woody shrubs and trees.

Program Staff and FYS at Skookum Meadow

Future Directions

Ensure the successful transition of remaining knotweed sites back to landowners while seeking grants to assist the public with control. Enact long-term strategy for ensuring landowner weed law compliance with adaptive management.

Continue to develop Early Detection/Rapid Response (EDRR) protocols for class A species and species of limited distribution in Skamania County, including false brome, shiny geranium and garlic mustard. Increase awareness of ecological impacts of invasive weeds.

Further develop regional awareness of aquatic noxious weeds and seek funding to assist with developing aquatic projects and partnerships. Increase capacity of working groups and collaboration to facilitate efficient control activities.

Work to further strengthen relationships with adjacent weed boards and programs. Analyze weed issues approaching this area and coordinate activities in order to actualize effective EDRR.

Fully develop and implement a standardized spatial database of weed information for Skamania County and all parcels. Use of spatial information will assist in developing the county-wide management plan.

Further develop stewardship activities and training to private and public land managers in order to build regional capacity for ongoing weed control. Cooperate with WSU Extension to provide continuing education and workshops.

Develop the capacity and capabilities of the program and regional projects through collaboration and the pursuit of funds to provide opportunities to control noxious weeds in Skamania County and the Columbia Gorge region.