Sierra Consulting IPM June 2009 newsletter

(Volume 11 / Edition 18, June 2009)

In an effort to solicit your business and keep you informed on the latest vegetation management technologies, Sierra Consulting & IPM LLC is providing you with this technical newsletter, VEGETATION MANAGEMENT ONLINE©. It is with sincere hope that the information provided herein will increase the vegetation manager’s knowledge and awareness on issues such as Environmental Stewardship, Efficacy, Efficiency and Economics of Vegetation Management technologies.

Please post this newsletter in areas where all can read and learn. Promote communication and cooperation for the entire team; education for all is the key for success!

NPDES is Back Again... Compliance with the Law is forthcoming

A January 7, 2009 decision by the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals held that the Clean Water Act permits are required for both chemical pesticide applications in and over water, including near, waters of the United States that leave a residue or excess persistence in water. This also includes all biological pesticide applications made in and over, including near, waters of the United States. Because the government recognizes the significant implications of this ruling, on April 9, the government filed a Motion of Stay of the mandate for a period of two years. EPA estimates that the ruling will affect approximately 365,000 pesticide applicators that perform 5.6 million pesticide applications annually. If the stay is granted, the requested two years will provide EPA time to develop, propose, and issue a final National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) general permit for pesticide applications covered under the Clean Water Act. During the stay, EPA will work closely with NPDES-authorized states to develop their permits and provide outreach and education to the regulated and environmental communities. EPA plans to work closely with states and the regulated and environmental communities in developing a general permit that is protective of the environment and public health.

EPA has identified types of pesticide applications that will likely require an NPDES permit. These application types include: mosquito control, weed control in lakes, weed control in irrigation ditches and drains, wide-are aquatic invasive weeds, wide-are insect suppression, and aquatic pesticides used in forestry programs.

Sierra Consulting & IPM LLC will keep you posted on this very important issue, as many of you will be affected by this ruling.

Use of Ammonium Sulfate with Glyphosate

Ammonium sulfate (AMS) sometimes is recommended for use with glyphosate herbicides. AMS is a hard water conditioner and makes it easier for the herbicide to penetrate into the weed’s leaf and stem tissue. So when do you know it will improve performance? This is important now as we are into spring and summer foliar applications and many weeds can be difficult to manage this time of year.

Glyphosate can be tied up by hard water, thus reducing the performance and overall weed control results. Glyphosate is negatively charged and can be tied up by the hard water elements that are positively charged, including calcium, magnesium, and iron. These are prevalent elements in many California waters. Water hardness is how we measure the amount of these elements in water and is usually expressed as parts per million (ppm) or as grains per gallon. One grain equals 17.1 ppm. Water hardness of 200 ppm or greater is considered to be “hard” and can reduce glyphosate performance.

AMS is dissolved in water and breaks down to ammonium (NH4+) and sulfate (S04-). The negatively charged sulfate binds with the positively charged hard water elements. When this occurs these elements are no longer available to tie-up the glyphosate. AMS also helps in preventing the glyphosate from tying up with dirt on the leaves of weeds, and will also reduce antagonisms from other herbicides.

Proper Summer Pruning

Late spring and summer pruning is an optimum time for removing selected branches from landscape and fruit or nut trees. Some farmers are actually doing most of their fruit tree pruning in late spring and summer months now, which is a big change from not to long ago. Pruning should be done with proper cuts with sharp saw blades so it is clean. Pruning now is a good time to remove dead limbs, limbs crossing over one another, or limbs with decay or weak attachments. Please, no flush cuts, allow enough of the limb stub for proper healing over, but not so much as to allow for future decay issues. There are proper ways to remove limbs, even the big ones, without damaging the tree further. Sierra Consulting & IPM LLC is available to put on short employee pruning workshops at your location. Just give me a call at (530) 432- 7845.

Sierra Consulting & IPM LLC

Sierra Consulting & IPM LLC, advisory services with 40 years experience providing independent and non-biased Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Arborist advisory services, thanks all of you for your support and business. The client base for Sierra Consulting & IPM has expanded to include federal, state and county agencies, utilities, irrigation districts and water authorities, military bases, railroads, transportation departments, airports, school districts, commercial contract application companies, agricultural clients, noxious and invasive weed management programs. Sierra Consulting & IPM LLC also provides contract research services and forensic investigation including expert witness in all phases of pest management.

Sierra Consulting & IPM LLC provides key services including IPM program design and implementation, on-site pest management evaluations (Vegetation, Rodents, Insects, Plant and Tree Health) throughout all of California, Licensed Pest Control Advisor (PCA) written pest control recommendations, and employee training on subjects such as:

Annual Pesticide Safety Training
Invasive Weed Management Strategies
Drift Management and Environmental Stewardship
Application Technology & Calibration
Laws & Regulations
Understanding and Using IPM
Certified Arborist Services

Let Sierra Consulting & IPM LLC help you, give me a call or e-mail me! (530) 432-7845 and/or donald.bartel@sbcglobal.net

Vegetation Management Online? Subscriptions are Free!

Sierra Consulting & IPM LLC wants you to encourage your coworkers, friends and relatives to submit for this free on-line newsletter specifically designed to present the most recent technological advances to vegetation managers’ worldwide. Just go to www.sierraconsultingipm.com, and provide your e-mail address to automatically place your name on the mail list for the newsletter Vegetation Management Online?. Your comments and suggestions are welcome. Please let me know what you think of the newsletter and the articles, as I always look forward to your comments. If you wish to be removed from this free subscription list, just let me know!

Newsletter Sponsorship Available

Sponsorship of this newsletter provides a direct market opportunity to reach the influencers and decision makers of the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM) business here in California, across the United States and around the globe. If your company wishes to learn more about advertising opportunities and the various levels of sponsorship available with this newsletter, please contact: Don Bartel, Sierra Consulting & IPM LLC. Office phone: 530-432-7845 or 530-305-2228 or e-mail: donald.bartel@sbcglobal.net Thanks!