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Weeds of Medford District of the BLM

Of the 357 non-native plants documented here, there are over 30 listed noxious weeds that are present on the district… more are coming, especially up I-5 out of California. Medford is one of the major gateways for weed spread into Oregon The top ten species are: Yellow starthistle Scotch broom

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Weeds of Medford District of the BLM

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  1. Of the 357 non-native plants documented here, there are over 30 listed noxious weeds that are present on the district… more are coming, especially up I-5 out of California. Medford is one of the major gateways for weed spread into Oregon The top ten species are: Yellow starthistle Scotch broom Puncture vine Himalayan blackberry Rush skeleton weed Dyers woad Purple loosestrife Japanese knotweed Canada thistle Meadow knapweed Etc… Weeds of Medford District of the BLM

  2. Weed “Hot Spots”

  3. Integrated Vegetation Management • Prevention and education • Vehicle washing • Use weed-free seed and hay • Education outreach – brochures, fairs, presentations to clubs etc… • Coordination • Membership in the Jackson and Josephine County Weed Management Areas • Working with Oregon Department of Agriculture on specific projects • Private land owners

  4. Integrated Vegetation Management • Weed Treatments • Manual Control: Hand pulling, good for small sites, sensitive areas, only effective for certain species: <250 acres a year • Mechanical Control: Tilling, mowing (limited use in woodlands and forest); mowing has some utility along roads for certain species (reduce seed load), but stimulates other species • Biocontrol insects: Only effective for certain species, certain conditions ~ 20 releases per year

  5. Herbicide Spot spraying with backpack sprayers Nearly all treatments use Glyphosate Use non-ionic surfactants (even in the uplands) Only allowed to treat federal, state, and county- listed “noxious” weeds Currently ~ 3000 acres per year (5 year average) using local contractors Integrated Vegetation Management Treatments Continued

  6. District Planning and Implementation • Follow the 1994 Strategy, the 1996 BLM “Partners Against Weeds” Action plan, and the 1998 Medford Weed EA

  7. Botanical surveys document weed populations as part of project planning on federal lands Currently have documented > 10,000 acres for about 30 weed species on federal lands Weed treatments may be part of other management activities or as ‘stand alone’ projects District Planning and Implementation

  8. How will Vegetation Treatment EIS Help? • Describes an array of new required Standard Operating Procedures and Mitigations to minimize risks to human and environmental health: • Water resources including wetlands • Vegetation including aquatic and rare plants • Fish and wildlife • Livestock including wild horses and burros • Human health and safety

  9. How will Vegetation Treatment EIS Help? • Currently nearly all chemical treatments used here are with Glyphosate. We need a broader array of ‘tools in the toolbox’ to improve ecosystem health and sustain biodiversity • For example there are new herbicides that only target noxious annual grasses (e.g. downy brome and medusa head) in grassland and oak woodland restoration • Ability to use the same herbicides as partners and cooperators (e.g. counties) in joint projects to improve efficiency

  10. How will Vegetation Treatment EIS Help? • Treat other invasive vegetation (not just officially listed noxious weeds) • Along rights-of-way, especially in conjunction with partners (increase efficiency) • As part of a hazardous fuels reduction program (reduce costs) • Native ‘obnoxious’ species for example like poison oak in recreation areas, or non-listed non-native species that are affecting the environment

  11. District level Analysis • Once the Statewide Vegetation Treatments EIS is finalized, additional NEPA analysis would occur at the District level • More site specific • Would tier to the State and National EIS’s • Tailored to Medford BLM District’s weeds and local issues

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