Sierra Consulting IPM July 2010 newsletter

(Volume 12 / Edition 21, July 2010)

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!

Wettest Spring Since 1967

The pressure has been on Vegetation Managers this year as rains continued into June. Early mowing areas have now been mowed 2 and 3 times and still weeds continue to grow, and this is July. Years like this can stress budgets, but can also teach us much about our programs, timing and selection of tools. As an example, I see some roadsides that look great, so someone made some good decisions, and I see many roadsides that look like a jungle. Great year for botanists to discover long lost species, and some in our business call wet years such as this as “job insurance”, and that it definitely is!

Selection of programs and timing is key on years like this, mowing should have been done before fire season began. Now temperatures are forecast to stay in the 90’s and low 100’s…summer is here and it looks like we’re going to be busy. And to remind you, the summer annuals are now making their push, so it’s time to get out now and see what is there, as you may want to alter your standard programs this year.

Once again, Aquatic Pesticide Applications Require NPDES Permit

In the legal courts it has been back and forth, but as of last month the Supreme Court refused to hear arguments against the need for NPDES permits, meaning that the permits are required now once and for all. Landowners or mangers that intend to make applications of aquatic pesticides (acrolein, copper, diquat, endothall, fluridone, glyphosate, imazapyr, sodium carbonate peroxyhydrate, 2,4-D or triclopyr) to Waters of the United States, must first apply to the Ca State Water Resources Control Board to obtain a permit. Permit compliance includes preparation of a Notice of Intent, an Aquatic Pesticide Application Plan, fees, sampling and analysis, and submitting an annual report.

Update: Structural Pest Control Board Now Under DPR

June 30, 2010 marks the transfer of the Structural Pest Control Board from the Department of Consumer Affairs to the Department of Pesticide Regulations as part of Gov. Schwarzeneggers directive to consolidate and streamline government. Under the same roof, both DPR and the Structural Board can coordinate and communicate much easier and hopefully we’ll see some real benefit from this move.

Side Note: I always think it is quite interesting with all this regulation towards this industry, yet the public can walk into their local hardware store or garden center and buy the same active ingredients (some are listed as restricted pesticides) without proper training, and go out and nuke their front lawns. No wonder homeowners create most pesticide toxicity issues! Does this make since to you, if so, you must be in sales!

Medusahead Management

UC Davis studies indicate there is a new tool available for Medusahead control in rangeland. This invasive specie has taken over much of the west’s rangelands to the tune of 50 million acres. With especially high levels of silica, cattle find it unpalatable other than when it is very small. Medusahead forms a thick litter mat reducing the chances of other species germinating and is an excellent fuel source for wildfire. Burning and grazing are non-chemical management techniques, and with proper timing can show some benefit, but not enough to significantly reduce populations enough to allow for successful revegetation. As you can see this has been a perplexing problem for many rangeland specialists.

UC Davis studies have looked at rimsulfuron that was recently registered here in California. To find a selective product that will not harm other grasses has been a challenge. Studies have looked at rimsulfuron rates of 0.5 to 1.5 ounces per acre and while control levels for Medusahead are excellent, injury levels of most other species is quite low. Applications made in early fall are showing the best results, and the ultra low rate used offers another approach to controlling another one of our nasty invasive species.

San Francisco Bay Area Counties - EPA v. Center For Biological Diversity

San Francisco – The Center for Biological Diversity has won restrictions on the use of 75 pesticides in and adjacent to habitat for 11 endangered or threatened species in eight (8) San Francisco Bay Area counties. This new injunction stems from a lawsuit in 2007 against the EPA for violating the Endangered Species Act. The injunction sets deadlines for EPA to conduct studies on “effects determinations” and sets aside use authorization for the 75 pesticides in and adjacent to endangered species habitat.

The 11 species are the Alameda whipsnake, bay checkerspot butterfly, California clapper rail, California freshwater shrimp, California tiger salamander, delta smelt, saltmarsh harvest mouse, San Francisco garter snake, San Joaquin kit fox, tidewater goby, and valley elderberry longhorn beetle. Similar protections were obtained in 2006 for the restrictions of 66 pesticides for use around or in red-legged frog habitat. Buffer zones of 200 feet from habitat are written into this injunction, so it you are doing business in the following counties one needs to identify all sites where these species may be present and comply with these new restrictions.

The counties are: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano and Sonoma.

Here are two websites that can give you much more details:

http://www.epa.gov/espp/litstatus/factsheet.html http://wwwbiologicalcaldiversity.org/news/press_releases/2010/pesticides-05-18-2010.html

Sierra Consulting & IPM LLC

Sierra Consulting & IPM LLC, advisory services with 41 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!
Phone (530) 432-7845 and/or donald.bartel@sbcglobal.net

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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!