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Transportation Conference Overview August 29 – 30, 2006. Donald B. Cober Technical Resource Specialist Maryland State Highway Administration. Technical Resources Team . Supports the program of the Landscape Operations Division
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Transportation Conference OverviewAugust 29 – 30, 2006 Donald B. Cober Technical Resource Specialist Maryland State Highway Administration
Technical Resources Team • Supports the program of the Landscape Operations Division • Provides recommendations to design, construction and maintenance engineers on vegetation management • Conducts erosion and sediment control and pesticide registration and pretest certification training • Develops Nutrient Management Plans
Impetus for Invasive Vegetation Management • Maryland State Laws • State Highway Administration Business Plan (2002-2007) • Customer complaints • Invasive Species of Concern in Maryland
Laws • Seed • Prohibited weed seeds • Restricted weed seeds • Plants • Prohibited from going to seed and spread • Controlled because they are on MDOT rights of way
Johnsongrass Shattercane Thistles-bull,Canada, musk & plumeless Annual Bluegrass Bermudagrass Bindweed Cocklebur Corn Cockle Dodder Giant Foxtail Horse Nettle Spurred Anoda Wild Garlic Wild Onion Prohibited Weed Seeds
Plants • Johnsongrass • thistles • Multiflora rose • Phagmites • Tree of Heaven
SHA Program • Specifications • Preliminary Investigation • Design • Construction • Maintenance
Specifications for Construction and Materials • Salvaged topsoil • Containing any parts of Johnsongrass, Canada thistle and phragmites will be evaluated on how to be managed • Furnished topsoil • Containing any parts of Johnsongrass, Canada thistle and phragmites will be rejected
Preliminary Investigation • Soil boring engineers review layout of future highway • Scout for invasive plants • Record information • In the soil survey report
Design • Plan sheets • Locations • Species
Construction • Project engineers consult the Landscape Operations Division or the MD Department of Agriculture for assistance in invasive plants: • Identification • Developing a management plan • Treating • Burying
Maintenance • Herbicide treatments • Mowing • Woody vegetation management
Integrated Vegetation Management Manual for Maryland Highways (IVMMFMH)
Program • SHA’s Integrated Vegetation Management Manual for Maryland Highways (IVMMFMH) • Policy • Personnel • Individual treatments for specific vegetation control
Program Efforts • SHA teams (28 shops) • Contract teams • Industry • Local contractors –time and equipment • Local governments • 23 counties • 12 weed control boards
Herbicides • Supplied by the Administration • Purchased from 3-4 vendors • Contract terms • Contract is open to all state and local governments • Initial shipments are due in March • Additional shipments may be required through September 30 at the same unit price • Basal stem/cut stump treatment contract is for the calendar year
Herbicide Testing • Technical Resources Team tests all new products • Look at safety to the applicator and the environment • Evaluate the restrictions (must be nonrestricted) • Compare to a standard if one exists • For performance • Cost per acre • If acceptable, approve for the IVMMFMH