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1 MEETING DATE: July 16, 2014 PREPARED BY: Laurie Winter, Associate Planner DEPT. DIRECTOR: Jeff Murphy DEPARTMENT: Planning & Building CITY MANAGER: Gus Vina SUBJECT: Presentation and Discussion of the Draft Invasive Plant Policy by the Invasive Plant Subcommittee. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Staff recommends the City Council: A. Receive the Agenda Report and the presentation by the Invasive Plant Subcommittee on their Draft Invasive Plants Policy (Attachment A). B. Provide direction to staff whether to pursue all or part of the Subcommittee s Invasive Plant Policy, as may be amended by the City Council. C. Formally conclude the work of the Invasive Plant Subcommittee or provide direction to the Subcommittee to conduct further study. STRATEGIC PLAN: This action falls within the Environmental Planning Focus Area of the City s Strategic Plan. On January 29, 2014, the City Council held a Strategic Plan Work Session on the Environmental Focus Area. A number of topics were discussed, including the need to have the Invasive Plant Policy brought back to the Council for review and consideration. This action satisfies Council s direction. FISCAL CONSIDERATIONS: Many of the policies directing the removal of invasive plant species from open space areas could be addressed through the Early MHCP Implementation Program, which covers basic property management and maintenance of open space, including the removal of invasive plants. More aggressive removal efforts will require additional staff resources and funding. Education and outreach costs will also require additional staff resources and funding. The exact amount is contingent upon the scale and scope being proposed. 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 1 1

2 BACKGROUND A. Overview The Blue Ribbon Environmental Committee (BREC) Report (Attachment B) that was submitted to the City Council in 2002, addressed the adverse impacts associated with invasive plant species on the environment and developed a series of recommendations on how to properly manage these issues. In June 2007, the City Council directed the establishment of a citizen sub-committee, including Council Member(s), to review the BREC recommendations regarding exotic/invasive plant restrictions to develop policies and to work with staff as a resource. In September 2007, Council appointed a eleven member Subcommittee, which was made up of citizens with various backgrounds and appointed Council Member Maggie Houlihan as the Council representative. As part of this effort, the Council also directed the Subcommittee to address toxic plants as part of their review. The Subcommittee began work in November 2007 and returned to the Council on May 21, 2008 with a Draft Invasive & Toxic Plant Policy (Attachment C). The Council, based on the presentation and discussion of the draft policy, directed staff to initiate the public outreach process. B. Public Outreach Efforts 1. Prior to 2010 As part of the public outreach process, staff conducted four focus group meetings in Participants were separated into the following four focus groups: Growers, Nurseries, and Agricultural Commission (October 20, 2009) Chambers, DEMA, Town Councils, and HOAs (October 27, 2009) Developers, Architects, and Landscape Architects (November 3, 2009) Conservancies, Cal-HIP, CNLM, Environmental Plant Council (November 10, 2009) Although the attendance for the focus group meetings was limited, the comments received from the few participants were beneficial and related to the plant list and how it should be approached. Comments are attached herein as Attachment D. In addition to the focus group meetings, staff made the Draft Invasive Plant Policy available for public review and comment at the Encinitas Garden Festival in April 2010 and at the General Plan Vision Festival on May 1, 2010; no formal comments were received at these events. Staff returned to the Subcommittee and briefed them on the comments received during the public outreach process and inquired if they wanted to revise the draft policy to address any of the recommendations or comments received. The Subcommittee 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 2 2

3 declined and expressed that they would like to keep the draft policy as it stands. The Subcommittee explained that their goal was always to be proactive by addressing all plants on the list, rather than prioritize plants or have a tiered approach (as suggested by certain commenter s), which could reduce the intent of the policy and the chance of full eradication of a plant that was not a top priority or prohibited on the list (managed control vs. eradication). During this time, the Subcommittee, although directed by the Council to address toxic plants, did not purport to have expertise in the area of toxic plants and throughout the process had mixed concerns including the toxic plant list as part of the policy. As such, the Subcommittee removed the toxic plant list and associated policies they had developed from the Invasive Plant Policy and Plant List /2012 Outreach Efforts In 2011, the Subcommittee prepared to return to the Council; however, due to continued controversy, in particular from the nursery industry, in the days leading up to the Council meeting, staff elected to conduct additional public outreach `to get a better understanding of the issues and to ensure all interested parties concerns were addressed. In 2012, staff conducted a roundtable discussion with the Invasive Plant Subcommittee and other interested parties, which was well attended. Staff provided an overview of the draft Invasive Policy; however, the main focus was the Subcommittee s Invasive Plant List. Although there was some agreement, consensus on the Invasive Plant List was not reached. Interested parties expressed the following concerns at the meetings: The invasive species list should only include plants that are truly invasive and creating a problem in Encinitas, while edible food sources such as fig, spearmint and olive should not be included on the invasive species list. Many plants on the list are commercially-grown and there is not enough factual evidence showing an environmental impact; The effect an adopted invasive plant list could have on other cities whereby encouraging adoption of the same list; Fear of the potential to see the invasive plant list grow rapidly if there is no set criterion on how plants are added to the list; and The policy should incorporate all aspects of business and environmental needs since many plants on the list are commercially grown, which may have an affect on the nursery industry /14 Outreach Efforts On January 29, 2014, the City Council held the Strategic Planning Work Session on the Environment Focus Area. A number of topics were discussed, including the need to have the Invasive Plant Policy brought back to the Council for consideration. As part of a staff direction, the Council directed that this policy be presented to the Council. 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 3 3

4 ANALYSIS Due to the Subcommittee s revisions to the Draft Invasive Plant Policy and Plant List since the last outreach efforts, staff held a public review meeting on May 12, 2014 to review the changes and receive public comments. Comments received at the meeting expressed the same concerns from the 2011/2012 outreach efforts with regard to the invasive plant list (see section above). Public comments received before and after the May 12, 2014 public review meeting are attached herein as Attachment E. There are two primary elements of the Draft Invasive Plant Policy: 1) the invasive plant species list; and 2) the policy document. A summary of each is provided below, along with staff s analysis of each. A. Plant Species Lists Following the 2012 outreach efforts, the Subcommittee elected to eliminate their Invasive Plant List as part of the Invasive Plant Policy. Rather, the Subcommittee now recommends that the Invasive Species List of the San Diego County Water Efficient Landscape Design Manual be used as part of their Invasive Plant Policy (see discussion below). The Subcommittee based their decision on the fact that the County s list is for the most part consistent with the list they had developed and it is currently being utilized by the City through the Encinitas Water Efficient Landscape Regulations. 1. County s Invasive Species List (Attachment F ) The Water Conservation in Landscaping Act of 2006 (Assembly Bill 1881, Laird) required cities and counties to adopt landscape water conservation ordinances equivalent to or at least as effective as the State Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance developed by the Department of Water Resources by January 1, Given this mandate, the County Water Authority in conjunction with various stakeholders developed a regional model ordinance. The development of an Invasive Species List was part of the preparation of a regional model ordinance that was unique to Southern California. The resources used in the preparation of the Invasive Species List included the Los Angeles Regional Guide to Invasive Plants, the American Society of Landscape Architects, San Diego Chapter: Invasive Ornamental Plant Guide, and the California Invasive Plant Council (Cal-IPC) Invasive Plant Inventory, which is detailed further below. The City of Encinitas was one of the stakeholders that participated in the development of this model ordinance and Invasive Plant Subcommittee member, Nan Sterman, participated in the development of the plant list. Ultimately, the model ordinance, which was determined to be at least as effective as the State Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance, was adopted by several cities (County of San Diego, Solana Beach and Lemon Grove), as well as the City of Encinitas (Water Efficient Landscape Regulations: Ordinance ; February 10, 2010). As part of that action, the City designated the 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 4 4

5 County of San Diego Landscape Design Manual as the City Landscape Design Manual, which includes an Invasive Species List. The ordinance applies to many types of projects that require a building permit or a discretionary permit including, but not limited to: All single-family residences with landscapes over 5,000 square feet; and Commercial, industrial, institutional, multifamily, or public agency projects with landscapes over 1,000 square feet. 2. California Invasive Plant Council (Cal-IPC) Invasive Plant Inventory Since 2010, as part of the City of Encinitas Water Efficient Landscape Regulations, the City has applied the County s Invasive Species List for projects subject to the Water Efficient Landscape Regulations. In addition to the County s Invasive Species List, the City applies the Cal-IPC Plant Inventory for projects subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The Cal-IPC Invasive Plant Inventory was developed in 2006 by an Inventory Review Committee, Cal-IPC staff, and volunteers. The inventory categorizes plants as High, Moderate, or Limited, which reflects the level of each species negative ecological impact in California. The inventory includes 39 High species, 65 Moderate species, and 89 Limited species. It is designed to prioritize plants for control, to provide information to those working on habitat restoration, to show areas where research is needed, to aid those who prepare or comment on environmental planning documents, and to educate public policy makers. A comparison of the County s Invasive Species List, Cal-IPC Invasive Plant Inventory, and Subcommittee s draft Invasive Plant List is attached herein as Attachment G. B. Policy Document The Invasive Plant Subcommittee sought to establish what they believe to be a set of reasonable goals, strategies, and recommendations to guide the City in implementing an effective and achievable invasive plant policy. The policy includes prevention, control management, restoration, along with public education and outreach. With regard to General Plan Consistency, the Invasive Plant Policy is consistent with Resource Management Element (RM) Goals 9 and 10 which state respectively: The City will encourage the abundant use of natural and drought tolerant landscaping in new development and preserve natural vegetation, as much as possible, in undeveloped areas. The City will preserve the integrity, function, productivity, and long term viability of environmentally sensitive habitats throughout the City,. Additionally, as noted in the prelude to RM Goal 10 The City seeks to establish a balance between new development and the maintenance and preservations of these valuable resources. The policies of Goal 10 contain guidelines and strategies aimed at preserving environmentally significant areas and minimizing potentially adverse impacts from new development. 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 5 5

6 Most of the policy actions as recommended by the Subcommittee do not warrant any code amendments and for the most part, would be implemented based on staff work tasks, some of which are already underway through other similar City policies and programs. The Draft Invasive Plant Policy (Attachment A) outlines ten Invasive Action Items related to invasive plants, which are summarized below. Included under each action item are current City polices and/or programs that relate to each action item, as well as the implication of each action item. 1. Draft Policies Applicable to Private Development and City Owned Property a. Invasive Action Item #1 The Invasive Species List of the San Diego County Water Efficient Landscape Design Manual, shall be adopted for use as part of the Invasive Plant Policy. Current City Practice: As reflected above, on February 10, 2010 the City adopted the Water Efficient Landscape Regulations (Ordinance ). As part of that action, the City designated the County of San Diego Landscape Design Manual as the City Landscape Design Manual, which includes an Invasive Species List. Refer to section above for applicability. Implication: Broadens use of the County s Invasive Species List within the City, which is currently limited to only those projects that fall under the Water Efficient Landscape Regulations. b. Invasive Action Item #2 Use of plants on the adopted Invasive Plant List shall be prohibited on City property and public rights-of-ways (including trails, trail buffers, easements, medians, parkways, parks, overlooks, and golf course), and discretionary projects subject to CEQA, a design review permit, and/or the provisions of the Water Efficient Landscape Regulations (EMC Chapter 23.26). Current City Practice: The Invasive Species List of the San Diego County Water Efficient Landscape Design Manual is currently applied to those projects subject to the City s Water Efficient Landscape Regulations (see Current City Practice under 1.a above). Implication: Broadens use of the Invasive Species List within the City beyond the Water Efficient Landscape Regulations. Should the Council wish to adopt this Action Item, the Invasive Species List would apply to all City property and public rights-of-ways, as well as all discretionary projects subject to CEQA, and all design review permits. c. Invasive Action Item #6 Development projects that include proposed open space easements, for the preservation and/or mitigation of sensitive habitat shall be conditioned to eradicate on-site invasive plants; additionally an ongoing program shall be developed for the future maintenance of said habitat conservation area. Current City Practice: As part of discretionary projects that include open space preservation, standard practices are implemented as part of a 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 6 6

7 project s environmental review process to minimize the potential effects of invasive plants in open space areas containing native habitat. If a project is located adjacent to the MHCP Focused Planning Area or an existing biological open space easement or if the project proposes a biological open space easement, conditions of project approval are provided to require review of final landscape plans to ensure invasive plants are not proposed. In addition, projects that propose biological open space easements for mitigation purposes are conditioned to remove the occurrence of invasive plants within the easement. Implication: Potential cost impacts to property owners. Action Item broadens current City practice whereby requiring that all proposed open space easements, whether or not the open space easement is created for mitigation purposes, be conditioned to eradicate on-site invasive plants and develop an on-going program for future maintenance of the open space easement. 2. Draft Policies Applicable to City Owned Property Only a. Invasive Action Item #3 Where invasive plants already exist on City properties and public rights-of-way, the following actions shall be implemented: i. Pampas Grass, the ice plants, giant reed, castor bean, the acacias, and myoporum shall be considered highest priority for immediate removal. ii. iii. Kikuyu Grass extremely invasive and difficult to eradicate, the City shall inventory infestations and remove as feasible. All other invasive plants included on the Invasive Species List should be removed as part of routine maintenance based on site-specific priorities as feasible. Current City Practice: The City developed an Early MHCP Implementation Program in 2010, which provides funds for basic property management stewardship (i.e., trash and invasive removal, fencing/signage, erosion control, etc.) on City owned property with sensitive habitat; however, the program also provides a 50/50 financial incentive for HOAs to participate in the program. The program will assist in the prevention, control management, restoration, and public education and outreach regarding invasive plants. In addition to the Early MHCP Implementation Program, ongoing maintenance on City park properties is implemented by Parks & Recreation staff. Implication: Potential added costs to the City outside current routine maintenance. Additionally, the scope of the Early MHCP Implementation Program, related to invasives removal, would need to be broadened to include all City properties and public rights-of-way (trails, trail buffers, 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 7 7

8 easements, medians, parkways, parks, overlooks, and golf course) with or without sensitive habitat areas. b. Invasive Action Item #5 the City shall set a goal to develop a maintenance program to remove, eradicate, and/or control invasive plants on City owned habitat property. Current City Practice: This Action Item is in the process of being implemented through the Early MHCP Implementation Program. See Current City Practice under 2.a above. Implication: Actual costs for initial invasives removal and ongoing maintenance is unknown at this time. Staff is in the process of preparing a RFP to retain the services of a consultant to complete a assessment/prioritization for City owned habitat properties that will assist staff in prioritizing sites/projects based on costs and funding under this program. 3. Draft Policies on Education and Outreach a. Invasive Action Items #4 and #7 through #10 seek to establish education and outreach programs; coordinate efforts with other entities; and establish reporting procedures for invasive plant sightings. Current City Practice: As described under Current City Practice for 2.a above, the City established the Early MHCP Implementation Program that can address public education and outreach related to invasive plants. Efforts can be directed toward educating the community regarding invasive plants through a variety of methods including but not limited to signage in parks, community brochures, and volunteer clean-up efforts. However, the Council may consider directing staff to break out the education of invasive plants as a separate work task from the Early MHCP Implementation Program. Implication: Additional costs would be incurred associated with a separate work task should education of invasive plants be treated separately from the Early MHCP Implementation Program. Overall, the Invasive Plant Subcommittee has completed Council s direction to 1) develop a policy on how invasive plants are to be regulated and 2) the development of implementation regulations. Should the Council decided to pursue all or part of the Subcommittee s Invasive Plant Policy, when combined with current City policies and programs, the Invasive Plant Policy would further the City s efforts to reduce negative impacts that invasive plants have on natural resources. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS: The action before the City Council is statutorily exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15262, Feasibility and Planning Studies. This action involves the development of a draft Invasive Plant Policy by a Subcommittee for Council s consideration, but does not have a legally binding effect on any 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 8 8

9 possible future discretionary action. The proposed policy considers the environmental by reducing the impact from invasive plants. ATTACHMENTS: Attachment A Draft Invasive Plant Policy Attachment B Blue Ribbon Environmental Committee (BREC) Report, Topic 7- Invasive Non- Native Plants and Algae* Attachment C May 21, 2008 City Council Agenda Report Attachment D Focus Group Meeting Notes (October 20, 27, 2009 and November 3, 10, 2009) Attachment E Public Comments Attachment F Invasive Species List of the San Diego County Water Efficient Landscape Design Manual (Appendix I) Attachment G Comparison of Invasive Plant Lists * Attachment includes December 11, 2002 City Council Agenda Report followed by Topic #7 of the BREC Report, which outlines the recommendations regarding invasive plants. The BREC Report, which covers 25 other topics, is available for review in its entirety at the Planning and Building Department. 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 9 9

10 ATTACHMENT "A" DRAFT INVASIVE POLICY 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 10

11 DRAFT CITY OF ENCINITAS INVASIVE SUBCOMMITTEE POLICY FOR INVASIVE PLANTS Introduction At national, state and local levels, governent representatives, business leaders and private individuals are increasingly concerned about the public safety, economic and environmental problems of invasive plants. To address these problems and community concerns, the Encinitas City Council established the Invasive/Toxic Plant Subcommittee in September They appointed nine citizen volunteers and one council member to the committee and charged them with establishing a set of reasonable goals, strategies and recommendations that would guide the City in implementing an effective and successful Invasive Plant Policy. The original effort included a section addressing toxic plants, but this portion was removed due to a lack of expertise on the issue. from the policy in March 2010 by the Subcommittee In 2009 the Subcommittee conducted focus group meetings with representative stakeholders from a broad spectrum of commercial, local, regulatory, and conservation entities. Additional meetings were conducted in 2011 through Invasive Plants An invasive plant is a plant from one ecosystem that grows and thrives in a different ecosystem where it does not belong. Plants become invasive when they are so successful in this foreign environment that they displace native plants and adversely affect wildlife habitat, water quality, recreation, and biological diversity by crowding out native species. Invasive plants have a competitive advantage because they have no natural predators in their introduced ecosystems, where they can quickly spread out of control. As a result, plants that are invasive cause or are likely to cause harm not just to the native plants in that ecosystem, but also to the wildlife in that ecosystem and to the environment in general, along with the economy, and/or human health. Invasive plants also cause negative impacts by exacerbating flood damage, enabling out of season wildfires, increasing the spread, frequency and intensity of wildfires, and degrading agricultural lands. It is estimated that $85 milion is spent annually in California to combat invasive plant species. In North Coastal San Diego County, more than $6 milion has been spent over the last five years battling invasive plants. By addressing this issue now, Encinitas can make great strides to limit the spread of invasive plants and prevent far more damaging and expensive problems in the future. The goal of the invasive plant policy is to reduce the negative impacts that invasive plants have on natural resources, the economy and public health, by establishing a comprehensive invasive plant policy. This policy shall include prevention, control and management, restoration, education, and public awareness. Page 1 of4 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 11

12 Recommended Actions Regarding Invasive Plants: 1. Appendix I, Invasive Species List of the San Diego County Water Efficient Landscape Design Manual (Attached) shall be adopted for use as part of the Invasive Plant PQlicy. Updates of said list by San Diego County shall be incorporated by reference for use within the Policy. 2. The use of plants on the adopted Invasive Plant List shall be prohibited on city property and public rights-of-way (including trails, trail buffers, easements, medians, parkways, parks, overlooks, and golf course). All plants listed on the Invasive Plant List shall be prohibited on discretionary projects subject to CEQA, a design review permit, and/or the provisions of Efficient Landscape Regulations (Chapter of the Water the Encinitas Municipal Code). 3. Where invasive plants already exist on city properties and public rights-of-way the following actions shall be implemented: a) Pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana), the iceplants (Carpobrotus spp. and Mesembryarrthemum spp.), giant reed (Arundo donax), castor bean (Ricinus communis), the acacias (Acacia cyclops and A. longifolia), and myoporum (Myoporum laetum) shall be considered highest priority for immediate removal on both improved and unimproved city properties and public rights-of-way. b) All other invasive plants included on the Invasive Plant List should be removed as par of routine maintenance based on site specific priorities as feasible. Any existing invasive planted intentionally on the properties based on the original project design shall be replaced with a non-invasive species as the opportnity arses (loss of plants and/or funding made available). c) Given that kikuyu grass (Pennisetum clandestinum) is extremely invasive and difficult to eradicate, the City shall inventory Kikuyu grass infestations and remove as feasible. 4. Education regarding invasive plants and the City's Invasive Plants policy shall be provided to the landscape firms and contractors hired by the City. 5. The City shall set a goal to develop a maintenance program to remove, eradicate, and/or control invasive plants on City owned habitat property. 6. Development projects that include proposed open space easements, for the preservation and/or mitigation of sensitive habitat shall be conditioned to eradicate on-site invasive plants; additionally an on-going program shall be developed for the future maintenance of said habitat conservation area. 7. Education and outreach programs shall be developed to encourage the use of noninvasive plants as well as to inform homeowners, developers, landscape businesses, retail nurseries and the general citizenry of City policies and regulations related to Page 2 of4 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 12

13 invasive plants. The following methods/venues are recommended for education/outreach: City website; handouts/fyers at the public counters and libraries, information provided with applications for business license registration, outreach to education institutes such as community colleges and adult education facilities, programs at venues such as San Diego Botanical Gardens, Encinitas Garden Festival, and Encinitas Environmental Day. 8. The City shall establish a reporting procedure for invasive plant sightings. 9. The City shall support and/or combine efforts, such as education and outreach, invasive plant reporting, and control and eradication with the California Invasive Plant Council, the San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy, the Cottonwood Creek Conservancy, the Escondido Creek Conservancy, the Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation, and the Escondido Creek Watershed Allance to address invasive plants. 10. The city shall coordinate efforts regarding invasive plants with other entities such as SANDAG, State Parks Department, County of San Diego, NCTD, CAL TRANS, the Encinitas Ranch Golf Authority (ERGA), neighboring cities, School Districts, and Mira Costa Community College. Page 3 of4 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 13

14 REFERENCES/RESOURCES The Invasive Plant Subcommittee drew upon many resources to establish a comprehensive list of invasive plants from which to base policy recommendations. Reference List County of San Diego Water Effcient Landscape Design Manual, Appendix I, Invasive Species List, February 2010, Landscape Design Manual.pdf California Invasive Plant Council (Cal-IPC) 2006 Invasive Plant Inventory, Southwest Region. -ipc.org. American Society of Landscape Architects San Diego Chapter, San Diego County Invasive Ornamental Plant Guide. _ affairs.html#draft Los Angeles Regional Invasive Plant Guide, Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers Council, PlantRight Invasive Plants of the South Coast ~ Sunset Zones 18-24, coast North County Multiple Habitat Conservation Program (MHCP), ectid=97 &fuseaction=proj ects.detail Watershed Resource List SANDAG Environmental Mitigation Program Working Group, Management Priorities for Invasive Non-native Plants, A Strategy for Regional Implementation, San Diego County, CA, September 2012: and products/reports. Products MainPage.aspx The Nature Conservancy: California Invasive Plant Council (Cal-IPC): Invasive Plants of California IS Wildlands (publication), by Randall & Hoshovsky: groups. ucanr.org/ Santa Margarita and San Luis Rey Watersheds Weed Management Area, Uc. Cooperative Extension Weed Research and Information Center, California Invasive Plant Council 'Don't Plant A Pest' brochure for Southern California, cal - ipc. org/landscaping/ dpp/ socal. php Personal Communications Jon Rebman, Ph.D, San Diego Museum of Natual History, Botany Departent Doug Gibson, Executive Director, San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy Carl Bell, Regional Advisor, Invasive Plants, University of California, Cooperative Extension Markus Spiegelberg, Patrck McConnell, Jessica Vinje, Center for Natural Lands Management Carolyn Mars, California Native Plant Society John Frenken, and Bob Keeley, City of Encinitas Parks & Recreation Department Howard Whitlock, City of Encinitas Public Works Department Doug Johnson, Executive Director, CAL-IPC Janet Kister, Sunlet Nursery Eric Larson, Executive DirectorSan Diego Farm Bureau Page 4 of 4 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 14

15 ATTACHMENT "8" Blue Ribbon Environmental Committee (BREC) Report, Topic #7 -Invasive Non-Native Plants and Algae 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 15

16 . \...~~ ~'''.''..:~'g\\. "\(Ji/,....~ 8i_-- i,.;, ~-~\:-~'5.I',... ~~l''' ~r ",~..~i\t. ~~ -"-'. 'I, ii ~, ò,"' ~'-. '.I~' CITY OF ENCINITAS CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date: December 11, 2002 TO: VI: FROM: SUBJECT: Presentaion of the Blue Ribbon Enviromnenta Commtt Fin Report BACKGROUN:. In Janua 200 I, the City Council adopted the followig goal as par of their Two-Year Vision for the City, "Establish an environmenta advisory group to advise the City mangement praces." In response to Council's goal, I I commttee members were on possible appointed best to serve on a workig grup under the auspices of the City Manager's Offce. The Commttee members wer selected for their demonstrted and relevant expertse, strong interest in, environmenta heath and a desir to enhce the communty. The Commttee was taked with the followi mission: Evaluate the City's curnt environmenta pracices and policies regardi the City's owned and maitaed facilties (includg buildig, parks, stomiwater rw-off systems, etc.) and progrservces and mae specific and relevant recommendatons for consideration that would position the City as a leader in the envinmenta arna. The Commtte began their work in Janua Their fial report and reommendations are atthed and will be presented at the Decembe i I, 2002 City Council meetig. ANALYSIS: With the Commtte, the members established five subcommittees to addrss the followi areas:. - 07/16/2014 (J Air/EnergyfTraporttion CI Landscapinglabitat/and Stewadship (J Environmenta PolicyÆducation Purhasing CI Waste Minization CJ Water/Soil Conservation & Quity 10", Item #10C Page 16

17 . The Commttee's ful report and recommendations ar attched. FISCAL AN STAFF IMPACTS: The fiscal imac of the commtt include st time and marials needed to support the Commttee and the cost of publishg the fi docwnent. RECOMMNDATION: Receive the fial rert frm the Blue Ribbon Envinmenta Commtt and refer the rert to sta for ana,ysis... /0--;' 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 17

18 7) Topic: Invasive Non-Native Plants and Algae Problem: Numerous invasive non-native plant species have become established throughout the City of Encinitas and the County which are degrading the quantity and quality of our natural habitats by outcompeting and displacing native plant communities. Invasive non-native plants also negatively impact property by exacerbating flood damage (via debris jams), enabling out of season wildfires that disperse more rapidly, increasing water consumption, degrading pasture and agricultural lands, and limiting recreational use. Conspicuous examples of aggressive terrestrial non-native invasive plants include giant reed (Arundo donax) and pampas grass (Corladeria sel/oana), which are large plants that spread rapidly forming dense stands of vegetation that area fire and flood risk, and reduce the recreational access and enjoyment of our open spaces. Caulerpa taxifolia is an extremely invasive aquatic saltwater alga that has so far only been discovered in San Diego County within Agua Hedionda Lagoon. Once established it grows rapidly and can form a dense smothering blanket on any surface that displaces the native plants and animals. Sources of infestation are most likely through release of fragments from private aquariums. If Caulerpa taxifolia is not successfully identified and controlled it wil threaten the marine ecosystems of the Pacific coastline as has occurred in the Mediterranean. Background: Non-native plants are those that have been introduced from other locations and occur beyond their natural range. Invasive plants are those that spread into areas where they are not native (Rejmanek 1995) or species that displace natives or bring about changes in species composition, community structure or ecosystem function (Cronk & Fuller 1995, White el al. 1993). The focus of this discussion is on non-native plant species that are also invasive, although not all non-native plants are invasive. I i i In contrast to invasive non-native plant species, a native plant species is one that occurs naturally in a particular region, state, ecosystem, and habitat without direct or indirect human actions (Federal Native Plant Conservation Committee 1994). Native plant species have evolved in a community that includes competitors, pests, grazers, and diseases, and so the species composition and productivity of native plant communities is controlled naturally. Non-native species lack many of these natural checks, and can, therefore, exhibit rapid uncontrolled growth and wide dispersal. 17% of the North American flora, and as much as 33% of some state flora are composed of plants that are non-native species (U.S. Dept. Transportation, Federal Highway Administration 2000). 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 18

19 Justification: Management and removal of these invasive non-native plants wil significantly improve the quality and quantity of our natural habitat, wil increase the recreational use of the land, and will help slow the further spread of these plants. Removal of large stands of invasive plants wil reduce the risk of wildfire, reduce the risk of catastrophic floods, lessen soil erosion in riparian areas, and reduce water consumption. If these plants are not actively eliminated in the short term, they will continue to spread and create a far more damaging and expensive problem in the future. Furthermore they may increase to the point that control becomes unfeasible. The rate of spread of some invasive nonnative species has been rapid, for example, yellow star thistle (Centaurea so/stitía/ís) has expanded in California (mostly north and central) from 1.2 milion acres in the late 1950s to 7.9 milion acres in The issue of invasive non-native plants -is so important that on Feb 8, 1999, President Clinton signed Executive Order No "To prevent the introduction of invasive species and to provide for their control and to minimize the economic, ecological, and human health impacts that invasive species cause." Invading non-native species in the United States cause major environmental damages and losses adding up to more than $138 bilion per year (Pimentel et ai', 1999). Among factors contributing to endangered species loss, non-native invasions are the second greatest factor after outright habitat loss. About 42% of the species on the Threatened or Endangered species lists are at risk primarily because of non-indigenous species. Existing Policy/Practice: GOAL 10 of the Resource Management Element of the General Plan states that: The City will preserve the integrity, function, productivity, and long term viability of environmentally sensitive habitats throughout the City, including kelp-beds, ocean recreational areas, coastal water, beaches, lagoons and their up-lands, riparian areas, coastal strand areas, coastal sage scrub and coastal mixed chaparral habitats. (Coastal Actl30230/30231/30240). There is currently no comprehensive City policy that addresses the restoration of native habitat through the control of invasive non-native plants. 'Weeds' are removed by landscape maintenance crews contracted by the City, but no'guidance exists specifically for removal of invasive non-native plants or for the identification of desirable native plants to be protected from removal. The focus of landscape management efforts have been on high use parks. Since natural habitats are not maintained, invasive non-native plants are spreading and are becoming a serious problem. The possession and sale of Cau/erpa taxífolia was banned by the State of California in September /16/2014 Item #10C Page 19

20 Assessment: The California Exotic Pest Plant Council (CaIEPPC) has identified the invasive nonnative plant species that are the most problematic in California (Attachment i). This list categorizes plants by their threat - with List A being the most invasive, and List B those of lesser invasiveness. The most threatening invasive non-native plants vary by region throughout the State. The top ten most problematic invasive non-native plant species in Encinitas, as determined by this Committee, are described in Table 1. Table 1. List of the ten most problematic invasive non-native plant species within the City of Encinitas taken from the CalEPPC List of Most Problematic Non-Native Plants in California (Attachment I). Plant species are listed in alphabetical order. Caulerpa taxifolia has not been found within coastal habitat in the City of Encinitas. Plant Species Common Name CalEPPC Commentsllocations List1 Acacia species Acacia More info Generally in riparian and adjacent areas Arundo donax! Giant reed A-1 Riparian areas, drainages, around wetlands Carpobrotus edulis Iceplant, sea fig A-1 Coastal bluffs, sand dunes, escapee from qardens in many areas Cortaderia selloana & C. Pampas grass, A-1 Coastal dunes, coastal scrub, riparian, jubata2 jubata grass drainages, wetlands, horticultural Foeniculum vulgare Wild fennel A-1 Grasslands, riparian, disturbed Lepidium latifolium~ Perennial pepperweed/ A-1 Currently only known at San Elijo lagoon tall whitetop - riparian, wetlands Myoporum laetum Myoporum A-2 Coastal riparian, horticultural Ricinus Castor bean B Coastal riparian, drainages, disturbed communis areas - TOXIC Schinus terebinthifolius & Brazilian & Peruvian B Riparian, horticultural, disturbed areas S. molle pepper tree Tamarix species'" Salt cedar/tamarisk A-1 Riparian areas, wetlands, drainages 1 A-1 = most invasive wildland pest plants, widespread; A-2 = most invasive wildland pest plants, regional; B = wildland pest plants of lesser invasiveness. 2 Currently proposed for listing as a CA Noxious Weed, CA Dept. of Food and Agriculture, probably List B (see below). Public notice of these additions was published 8/2/2002 and should be approved after a public comment period ending 9/16/ List B CA Noxious Weed, CA Dept. of Food and Agriculture. This includes species that are widespread and at discretion of County Agriculture Commissioner to determine if eradication is feasible. SD County Agriculture has formed a Weed Management Area that is specifically targeting the eradication of L. latifolíum from the County. 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 20

21 Data Gaps: The general distribution of the most problematic invasive non-native plants (e.g. Arundo and pampas grass) is known qualitatively, but a detailed mapping of their distributions and acreage has not been done and is needed in order to develop and implement a plan for their management and removal. This information is essential in securing funding and in planning successful long-term control efforts. Recommendations: 1) Ban the use of targeted invasive non-native plants in the landscaping of all City properties. Targeted invasive non-native plants should include at a minimum the' Top Ten Most Problematic Invasive Non-native Plants in Encinitas' identified by this committee (Table 1). Ideally the target list would include all plants on the California Exotic Pest Plant Council List of Exotic Pest Plants of Greatest Ecological Concern in California (Attachment i). 2) Adopt a Weed Abatement Code or similar policy to provide a comprehensive policy for the identification and abatement of targeted invasive non-native plants on City property (for an example see City of Richmond Weed Abatement Code, Attachment II ). 3) Require new housing and commercial developments to avoid the use of targeted invasive non-native plants in their landscaping. 4) Initiate an eradication program for pampas grass (Cortaderia sel/oana) and giant reed (Arundo donax), two of the most problematic invasive plants on City properties. Infested properties adjacent to wildlands should also be treated where possible. This program should be carried out in a coordinated manner with other Cities and entities, preferable working from the top of the watershed towards the bottom to avoid reinfection of downstream areas from upstream sources. Mapping of non-native plants to be eradicated wil aid in securing funding, estimating control costs, and carrying out effective long-term efforts. High priority areas for control include the drainages that lead into San Elijo Lagoon, Batiquitos Lagoon, and lower Cottonwood Creek. 5) Support the efforts of and actively work with the San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy, the Cottonwood Creek Conservancy, the Escondido Creek Conservancy, and the Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation in the removal of invasive non-native plants. The City should playa role in encouraging private property owners adjacent to natural lands or wildlands to avoid the use of invasive non-native plants. 6) Discourage the sale of targeted invasive non-native plants (see Table 1) within the City of Encinitas to prevent future introductions. 7) Promote community awareness on the invasive algae Caulerpa taxifolia. The State of California banned the sale and possession of several species of Caulerpa on September 24, However, awareness of what the plant looks like and where to report any new sightings in the coastal waters of Encinitas is stil a very important task that should be encouraged by the City of Encinitas. Information on Caulerpa taxifolia and how to obtain public outreach materials is listed in Attachment III. 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 21

22 a) Post Caulerpa information posters at all beach access points, lifeguard stations and nature centers. b) Distribute brochures and posters to local dive shops, aquarium shops, bait and tackle shops and schools. c) Support and participate in public events to look for this algae and to promote public awareness of the issue. Implementation (policy, resolution, etc): Changes wil potentially be required to contracts, the Municipal Code, and/or the General Plan. Grants are available that can be used for native plant restoration through the removal of invasive non-native plants. Attachment IV lists several appropriate grant opportunities. In addition, the City should organize community removal days to involve the community and make use of volunteer labor. Watershed based control of invasive non-native plants will require the City to participate in joint projects and partnerships. These programs may involve other cities, conservation groups, watershed networks, Resource Conservation Districts, and Weed Management Areas. The City is already making progress towards this level of cooperation as it recently signed an MOU to work with the City of Escondido, the Escondido Creek Conservancy and San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy. Attachments: i. California Exotic Pest Plant Council List of Exotic Pest Plants of Greatest Ecological Concern in California 11. City of Richmond Weed Abatement Code ILL. i nformation on Caulerpa taxifolia IV. Grant opportunities for invasive plant removal efforts 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 22

23 ATTACHMENT "C" May 21, 2008 City Council Agenda Report i.,-'.-;-. I i i 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 23

24 CITY OF ENCINITAS CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT Meeting Date: May 21, 2008 TO: / VIA: Mayor and City Council Phil Cotton, City ManagerY- FOR YOUR RECORDS f;rom City Clerk FROM: ; ~,/'lanning & Building Department, Patrick Murphy, Director iane S. Langager, Principal Planner SUBJECT: Presentation and Discussion of the Draft Invasive & Toxic Plant Policy by the Invasive & Toxic Plant Subcommittee. Contact Person: Principal Planner Langager BACKGROUND: The Blue Ribbon Environmental Committee (BREC) Report submitted to the City Council in 2002 addressed the problem and challenges of invasive plant species. In June 2007, the City Council directed the establishment of a citizen sub-committee including council member(s) to review the BREC recommendations regarding exotic/invasive plant restrictions and to work with staff to develop policies for the City. In August 2007, City Council directed a two phase approach: Phase I - the development of a policy on how invasive plants are to be regulated and Phase II - the development of implementation regulations. In September 2007, Council appointed the members of the Subcommittee and appointed Maggie Houlihan as the Council member of the Subcommittee. The Council also directed the Subcommittee to address toxic plants as part of their review. ANALYSIS: The Invasive Plant Subcommittee started work in November 2007 and drew upon many resources to establish a comprehensive list of invasive and toxic plants from which to base policy recommendations. The Invasive & Toxic Plant Subcommittee has been working to establish a set of reasonable goals, strategies, and recommendations to guide the City in implementing an effective and achievable invasive & toxic plant policy. Said policy includes prevention, control and management, restoration, along with public education and outreach. Invasive Plant List - To create the invasive plant list, the Subcommittee started with an invasive non- native plant list that was compiled from three different sources: 1) California Invasive Plant Council (Cal-IPC) Invasive Plant Inventory for thc South Coast region of California, 2) The American Society of Landscape Architects' San Diego County Invasive Plant Guide, and 3) the Los Angeles and San Gabriel Watersheds Council's Los Angeles Regional Invasive Plant Guide. This initial plant list was then carefully reviewed by the subcommittee. Any plants that were not known to be invasive in the coastal San Diego area, or not considered a significant problem, were removed from the list. Decisions were based on personal experience, field observations, and consultation with regional experts in invasive plant control. The plant list was reviewed by in Parks and Recreation, and Public Works. 'staff CD/dIlG:\REPORTS\SR Invasive & Toxic Plant Policy CCI.doc (5/14/08) 1 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 24 ~

25 Toxic Plant List - The members of the Subcommittee do not purport to have expertise in the area of toxic plants. To create the toxic plant list, the Subcommittee relied on information obtained from experts in the fields of botany, medicine and veterinary medicine. The information was obtained from a variety of resources and references as well as consultation with local Poison Control and Humane Society. There are a significant number of toxic plants whose effects on humans and animals range from skin irrtations to serious illness and death. The Subcommittee for purposes of the policy elected to inçlude only plants that are commonly found in the Encinitas area, and are known to cause serious injury and/or death when ingested. Invasive & Toxic Plant Policy - The Draft Invasive & Toxic Plant policy, which includes the Invasive Plant List and the Toxic Plant List is attached herein as Exhibit "CC- i" and is summarized below separately as it relates to invasive plants and toxic plants: Policy Summary - Invasive Plants Adopt the Invasive Plant List City property and public rights of way. Prohibit use of invasive plants on list. Establish criteria for removal and maintenance New construction and redevelopment - commercial and residential. Prohibit use of plants on list Habitat conservation areas and open space easements. Existing: Establish criteria for removal and restoration. Future development: Set eradication and maintenance as condition for development Outreach and Education,. Join efforts with public and private entities. Coordinate with school districts and adjacent municipalities, agencies, etc.. Develop programs for developers, nursery, and contracting professionals. Create Citizen Participation Programs Updates. Add to list as needed over time. Review entire list at least once every five years Policy Summary - Toxic Plants Adopt the Toxic Plant List City property and public rights of way. Prohibit use of toxic plants on list and remove any existing toxic plants. Prohibit use oftoxic plants within five feet of equestrian trails. Provide education/outreach for public and retail nurseries. Updates. Add to list as needed over time CD/dIlG:\REPORTS\SR Invasive & Toxic Plant Policy CCL,doc (5114/08) 2 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 25 I 1 ~ i 1

26 Review entire list at least once every five years. Implementation - Most of the policy actions as recommended by the Subcommittee do not warant any code amendments. For the most par, the policy would be implemented based on staff work taks. For instace, Invasive Action Item #5 related to maintenance programs in habitat conservation areas wil be addressed through the open space management plan being initiated by the City. Prohibition of the invasive plants in new construction and redevelopment projects can be implemented through conditions of approval for those projects subject to discretionar review. However, a code amendment wil be required to prohibit the use of invasive plants in new construction and redevelopment projects that are not subject to discretionar review and solely require a building permit and/or grading permit (i.e. residential additions). Since some discretionary applications and all non-discretionar applications do not require landscape plans, staff would impose a condition on the permit to prohibit invasive plants. Any violation to this condition would be handled on a complaint basis. Public outreach with business organizations, developers, landscape businesses, nurseries and resource agencies for review and consideration of the Invasive & Toxic Plant Policy is the next step in the process prior to adoption of the policy. As part of the public outreach process staff (various departments) will review the draft policy in further detail and suggest revisions as deemed appropriate for clarification and for effective implementation. For instance, based on initial review staff suggests that Invasive Action Item #13 be incorporated into Item #1; additional wording is also suggested for # 13 to clarfy that staff would only modify the Invasive Plant List to ensure consistency with published lists by resource agencies. Additionally, further clarfication and/or options for the implementation of Invasive Action Item #5 regarding prohibitions can be addressed. For instance, another approach to the policy would be to apply the invasive plant prohibition only to discretionar projects when a landscape plan is required and to initiate an educational/volunta process for those projects that do not require a landscape plan. Also clarification is required to determine if the prohibition for private construction projects applies to existing on-site plants or just new plantings. FISCAL AND STAFF IMP ACTS: Based on the draft policy the impacts to fiscal and staff resources seems minimal. Staff resources wil be needed for the public outreach process and for required code amendments if the prohibition is tagged to non-discretionary projects. As enforcement would be on a complaint basis, the policy may slightly increase workload of the code enforcement staff. Although many of the recommended policies on city properties are already being implemented by Parks& Recreation staff, implementation of the policy may initially require addition staff resources for maintenance and removal of invasive and toxic plants. RECOMMENDATION: Receive the report and presentation, and direct staff to move forward with public outreach regarding the Draft Invasive & Toxic Plant Policy. NOTE: The Invasive & Toxic Plant Subcommittee will be making the presentation; both staff and the Subcommittee will be available for questions. CD/dllI:\WEB StaffReports\SR Invasive & Toxic Plant Policy CCl.doc (5/14/08) 3 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 26

27 ATTACHMENTS: Exhibit CC-L Exhibit CC-2 Draft Policy for Invasive & Toxic Plants which includes the Invasive Plant List and the Toxic Plant List FAQ's regarding Invasive Plants prepared by the Invasive & Toxic Plant Subcommittee I I i F CD/dl/G:\REPORTS\SR Invasive & Toxic Plant Policy CCI.doc (5/14/08) 4 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 27

28 DRAFT CITY OF ENCINITAS INVASIVE & TOXIC PLANT SUBCOMMITTEE POLICY FOR INVASIVE & TOXIC PLANTS EXHIBIT "CC-l" Introduction At national, state and local levels, governent representatives, business leaders and private individuals are increasingly concerned about the public safety, economic and environmental problems of invasive non-native plants (referred to hereafter as 'invasive plants'). To address these problems and community concerns regarding toxic plants, the Encinitas City Council established the Invasive/Toxic Plant Subcommittee in September They appointed nine citizen volunteers and one council member to the committee and charged them with establishing a set of reasonable goals, strategies and recommendations that would guide the City in implementing an effective and successful Invasive/Toxic Plant policy. Invasive Plants An invasive plant is a plant from one ecosystem that grows and thrves in a different ecosystem where it does not belong. Plants become invasive when they are so successful in this foreign environment that they displace native plants and adversely affect wildlife habitat, water quality, recreation, and biological diversity by crowding out native species. Invasive plants have a competitive advantage because they are not controlled by predators, and quickly spread out of control. As a result, plants that are invasive cause or are likely to cause harm not just to the native plants in that ecosystem, but also to the wildlife in that ecosystem and to the environment in general, along with the economy, and/or human health. Invasive plants also cause negative impacts by exacerbating flood damage, enabling out of season wildfires, increasing the spread, frequency and intensity of wildfires, and degrading agricultural lands. It is estimated that $85 millon is spent annually in California to combat invasive plant species. In North Coastal San Diego County, more than $4.5 million has been spent over the last five years battling invasive plants. By addressing this issue now, Encinitas can make great strides to limit the spread of invasive plants and prevent far more damaging and expensive problems in the future. Toxic Plants As concerns this policy, a toxic plant is any plant known to cause serious medical injury, illness, or death of a human or domestic animal. Toxic plants in public areas and public equestrian trails are of concern because they pose a public safety threat. FINAL DRAT Invasive Toxic Policy CCl.doc (5/14/2008) Page 1 of6 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 28

29 Goal: Invasive Plant Policy Reduce the negative impacts that invasive plants have on natural resources, the economy and public health, by establishing a comprehensive invasive plant policy. This policy shall include prevention, control and management, restoration, education, and public awareness. Recommended Actions regarding Invasive Plants: 1. An Invasive Plant List shall be adopted for use within the Invasive and Toxic Plant Policy. (See Attachment "A") In referencing and enforcing the policy, all plants shall be identified by their botanical names (genus and species). Common names are provided strictly for convenience and are not to be used for evaluation purposes. 2. The use of plants on the adopted Invasive Plant List shall be prohibited on city property and public rights-of-way (including trails, trail buffers, easements, medians, parkways, parks, overlooks, and golf course). 3. Where invasives already exist on city properties and public rights-of-way the following actions shall be implemented: a) Pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana), the ice plants Carpobrotus sppand Mesembryanthemum spp., giant reed (Arundo donax), castor bean (Ricinus communis), the Acacias Acacia cyclops and A. longifolia, and the myoporum Myoporum laetum shall be considered highest priority for immediate removal on both improved and unimproved city properties and public rights-of-way. b) All other invasive plants included on the Invasive Plant List should be removed as part of routine maintenance. Any existing invasive planted intentionally on the properties based on the original project design shall be replaced with a non-invasive species as the opportunity arises (loss of plants and/or funding made available). c) Given that kikuyu grass (Pennisetum clandestinum) is extremely invasive and diffcult to eradicate, the City shall inventory Kikuyu grass infestations and develop a program for their eradication to be completed within 5-10 years. 4. Performance criteria shall be established for maintenance of city properties and public right-of-ways regarding invasive plants, their removal and prevention. Education regarding invasive plants and the City's Invasive Plants policy shall be provided to the landscape firms and contractors hired by the City. I 5. The City shall develop a maintenance program to remove, eradicate, and/or control invasive plants in habitat conservation areas and restore these areas. The City shall hire qualified professionals to manage and implement these efforts. Additionally, the City should create a volunteer program to assist in open space I I' FINAL DRAT Invasive Toxic Policy CC1.doc (5/14/2008) Page 2 of6 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 29 i ~ I

30 management and maintenance modeled after programs such as "Adopt an Open Space." Community invasive plant removal days are also recommended. 6. All plants listed on the Invasive Plant List shall be prohibited in any private or public project including but not limited to new construction and redeveloped sites for both residential and commercial proj ects. 7. Development projects that include existing or proposed open space easements for the preservation of sensitive habitat shall be conditioned to eradicate on-site invasive plants; additionally an on-going program shall be developed for the future maintenance of said habitat conservation area. 8. As policies and/or regulations are developed regarding invasive plants, citizen participation programs shall be implemented to fully involve the citizenr as well as potential stakeholders such as, but not limited to, homeowners/homeowner's associations, developers, nurseries/growers, habitat stewards and landscape contractors. 9. Education and outreach programs shall be developed to encourage the use of noninvasive plants as well as to inform homeowners, developers, landscape businesses, retail nurseries and the general citizenry of City policies and regulations related to invasive plants. The following methods/venues are recommended for education/outreach: City website; handouts/fyers at the public counters and libraries, information provided with applications for business license registration, outreach to education institutes such as community colleges and adult education facilities, programs at venues such as Quail Botanical Gardens, Encinitas Garden Festival, Encinitas Environmental Day, Encinitas Day. 10. The City shall establish a procedure for reporting and follow-up to invasive plant sightings. 11. The City shall combine efforts with the California Invasive Plant Council and the California Horticultural Invasive Prevention (Cal-HIP) partnership on their "Plant Right" campaign. Additionally, the City shall support and/or combine efforts with the San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy, the Cottonwood Creek Conservancy, the Escondido Creek Conservancy, the Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation, and the Escondido Creek Watershed Alliance to address invasive plants. 12. Outreach/coordination shall be established between the School Districts, Mira Costa Community College, State Parks Department, County of San Diego, NCTD, CALTRANS, the Encinitas Ranch Golf Authority (ERGA), and adjacent communities to further expand and implement the invasive plant policies. 13. A five year review process shall be established and implemented to review the Invasive Plant List to assess whether species need to be added based on changed conditions. Additional plant species may be added to the list by staff during the five year period as warranted based on documentation. FINAL DRAT Invasive Toxic Policy CCl.doc (5/14/2008) Page 3 of6 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 30

31 Goal - Toxic Plants To reduce the potential negative impacts of toxic plants to public safety in public areas and equestrian trails through the establishment of a toxic plant policy. Recommended Actions Regarding Toxic Plants: 1. A Toxic Plant List shall be adopted for use within the Invasive and Toxic Plant Policy. (See Attachment "B") In referencing and enforcing the policy, all plants shall be identified by their botanical names (genus and species). Common names are provided strictly for convenience and are not to be used for evaluation purposes. 2. The use of plants on the adopted Toxic Plant List shall be prohibited on city property and public rights-of-way (including trails, easements, medians, parkways, parks, overlooks, and golf course). Any existing toxic plant on public property shall be removed. 3. On private property, plants on the adopted Toxic Plant List shall not be planted or encroach within five (5) feet on either side of an equestrian trail. 4. Provide education/outreach to the public and retail nurseries. 5. A five year review process shall be established and implemented to review the Toxic Plant List to assess whether additional species need to be added based on changed conditions. Additional plant species may be added to the list by staff during the five year period as warranted based on documentation. I FINAL DRAT Invasive Toxic Policy CC1.doc (5/14/2008) Page 4 of6 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 31

32 REFERENCES/RESOURCES The Invasive Plant Subcommittee drew upon many resources to establish a comprehensive list of invasive and toxic plants from which to base policy recommendations. The members of the Subcommittee do not purport to have expertise in the area of toxic plants. The list and policies established in regard to toxic plants was based on published information obtained from reliable websites. INVASIVE PLANTS Reference List California Invasive Plant Council (Cal-IPC) 2006 Invasive Plant Inventory, Southwest Region. American Society of Landscape Architects San Diego Chapter, San Diego County Invasive Ornamental Plant Guide. Los Angeles Regional Invasive Plant Guide, Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers Watershed Council, PlantRight Invasive Plants of the South Coast Sunset Zones 18-24, plantright.org/plants/plantlist.php?region=south _coast Resource List The Nature Conservancy: California Invasive Plant Council (Cal-IPC): Invasive Plants of California1s Wildlands (publication), by Randall & Hoshovsky: Santa Margarita and San Luis Rey Watersheds Weed Management Area, smslrwma.org/ Uc. Cooperative Extension Weed Research and Information Center, ucdavis.edu/ California Invasive Plant Council 'Don't Plant A Pest' brochure for Southern California, cal- ipc.org/landscaping/ dpp/ socal. php Personal Communications Jon Rebman, Ph.D, San Diego Museum of Natural History, Botany Department Doug Gibson, Executve Director, San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy Carl Bell, Regional Advisor, Invasive Plants, University of California, Cooperative Extension John Frenken, and Bob Keeley, City of Encinitas Parks & Recreation Department Howard Whitlock, City of Encinitas Public Works Department Doug Johnson, EXecutive Director, CAL- IPC Janet Kister, Sunlet Nursery Eric Larson, Executive Director San Diego Farm Bureau TOXIC PLANTS FINAL DRAT Invasive Toxic Policy CC1.doc (5/14/2008) Page 5 of6 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 32

33 Reference List ASPCA. (2007). Animal Poison Control Center: Toxic Plants. Retrieved December 10, 2007, from ASPCA database. ASPCA. (2007). Animal Poison Control Center: Toxic Plants - Horses. Retrieved December 10,2007, from ASPCA database. County of Los Angeles Department of Arboreta and Botanic Gardens. Poisonous Plants of Southern California. Arcadia, California: California Arboretum Foundation. Filmer, An King. (2007). Toxic Plants. Retrieved November 26, 2007, from Ue. Davis Plants and Sciences database. Harden, J. W. and Arena, J.M. (1969). Human Poisoning from Native and Cultivated Plants. Durham, North Carolina: Duke University Press. Kingsbury, J.M. Poisonous Plants of the United States and Canada. (1964). Englewood Cliff, N.J.: Prentice-HalL Kingsbury, J.M. Deadly Harvest. (1965). New York, N.Y.: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc. Muenscher, W.e. Poisonous Plants of Macmillan Company. Resource List the United States. (1975). New York, N.Y.: The Toxic Plants, California Poison Control System, San Diego Humane Society, ASPCA, I I i FINAL DRAT Invasive Toxic Policy CC1.doc (5/14/2008) Page 6 of6 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 33

34 ATTACHMENT "A" INVASIVE NON-NATIVE PLANT LIST This is a list of plants that are invasive in Encinitas and our region generally, based upon review of a number of experts and resources. This list should be utilized in conjunction with the City of Encinitas Invasive and Toxic Plant Policy. The botanical names shall be used for all analysis and decision making; the common names are listed solely for convenience. Botanical Name Acacia cyclops Acacia lonqifolia (A. latífolia) Ailanthus altissima Aptenia cordifolia (Mesembryanthemum cordifolium) Arctotheca calendula Arundo donax Asparaaus asparaqoides Asparagus densiflorus & all varieties Asparaaus setaceus (A. plumosus) Asphodelus fistulosa Atriplex semibaccata Carpobrotus edulis Carpobrotus chilensis Centaurea solstítíalis Centranthus rubber (Valeriana rubber) Chrysanthemum coronarium Cortaderia selloana & all varieties Cortaderia jubata & all varieties Cotoneaster ljannosus Cotoneaster lacteus (C. parneyi) Crassula ovata (C. arqentea) Cupaniopsis anacardioides Cynara cardunculus Cyperus involucratus (C. alternifolius) Cytisus scoparius Cytisus striatus oelairea odorata (Senecio mikanioides) oimorphotheca sinuata (0. aurantiaca) Echium candicans (E. fastuosum) Ehrharta calycina Ehrharta erecta Ehrharta lonqifora EucalVlJtus camaldulensis (E. rostrata) Eucalvptus qlobulus Foeniculum vulqare Common Name Coastal Wattle, Cyclops Acacia Golden Wattle Tree of Heaven Heartleaft iceplant, Red Apple, Baby Sunrose Cape Weed Giant Reed, Arundo Bridal creeper, Smilax asparagus Asparagus Fern, Meyers asparagus, Sprenqer asparagus Fern asparaqus Hollow-stem Asphodel, Onionweed Australian Saltbush Hottentot Fiq, Highway Iceplant Sea Fiq, Hiqhway Iceplant Yellow starthistle Red valerian, Jupiter's beard Garland or Crown Daisy Pampas qrass & all varieties Jubata qrass & all varieties Silverleaf cotoneaster Cotoneaster Jade Plant Carrot Wood Artichoke thistle African Umbrella Plant Scotch broom Portuquese broom G.ape i\ly, German Ivy, African daisy Pride of Madeira Perennial veldt qrass Panic veldt grass Lonq-f1owered/Annual veldt grass Red Gum, River red gum Blue Gum Sweet Fennel, Wild fennel i i I 0, I\Invasive Plant Subcommttee\Invasive Plant List Final CCI (5/14/08) 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 34

35 Botanical'Name Common Name Fraxinus uhdei Everqreen/Shamel/MexicanlTrooical Ash Gazania linearis (Gazania longiscapa) Gazania, Gazania daisy, Colorado gold,, Hardy çiazania Genista monspessulana French broom, Hedera canariensis Alqerian ivy Hedera helix Enqlish ivy Hvpericum canariense Klamathweed, Canary Island St. John's Wort Ipomoea purpurea Common Morninq-qlory Iris pseudacorus Pale yellow iris, Yellow flaq Koelreuteria paniculata Goldenrain tree Lepidium latifolium Perennial pepperweed, Tall whitetop Limonium perezii Perez's Marsh-rosemarv, Sea lavender Limonium ramosissimum Alqerian sea lavender Limonium sinuatum Nothc-Ieaf Marsh-rosemary, Statice Lobularia maritima Sweet allyssum Lonicera japonica & all varieties Japanese Honeysuckle & all varieties Ludwiqia hexapetala 7L. uruquavensis) Uruquav Marsh-Purslane, Water primrose Lythrum salicaria Purple loosestrife Malephora crocea Red-flowered iceolant, Croceum iceplant Melinus repens (Rhynchelvrum repens ) Natal qrass, Natal ruby qrass, Red top Mentha puleqium Pennyroyal Mentha spicata, Spearmint Mesembryanthemum nodiforum Slender-leaved iceplant Mesembrvanthemum crvstallnum Crystalline iceplant Mirabilis jalapa (M. lindheimeri) Four O'Clock, Marvel of Peru Myoporum laetum (Myoporum Ngaio, Myoporum, Mousehole Tree perforatum) Mvriophvllum aquaticum Parrotfeather Mvriophvllum spicatum Eurasion watermilfoil Nassella tenu~sima Mexican feather arass Nerium oleander Oleander Oenothera speciosa Mexican eveninq primrose Olea europaea (fruitinq varieties) Olive Tree Opuntia ficus-indica Mission Prickly-pear, Indian fiçi, Tuna cactus Parkinsonia aculeata Mexican Palo Verde, Jerusalem thorn Pennisetum ciliare (Genchrus ciliare) Buffelqrass Pennisetum clandestinum (Genchrus Kikuyu grass cia n destin um) Pennisetum setaceum (Genchrus setaceum) & all varieties except 'Rubrum'/ 'Cupreum' Pennisetum vilosum (Genchrus vilosus) Phoenix canariensis Pittosporum undulatum Platanus x acerifolia Retama monosperma (Genista monosperma) Fountain grass Feathertop fountain qrass Canary island date palm Victorian box London plane tree Bridal veil broom 2 I i. I i I\Invasive Plant Subcommittee\Invasive Plant List Final CCi (5/14/08) 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 35

36 Botanical Name Ricinus communis Robinia pseudoacacia Schinus molle Schinus terebinthifolíus Spartium iunceum Tamarix (all species) Tropaeolum majus Ulmus parvifolía Vinca major Washinqtonia robusta Common Name Castor bean Black locust Peruvian pepper tree, 'California' Pepper tree Brazilian pepper tree Spanish broom Tamarisk, Salt-cedar - all species Garden nasturtium Chinese elm tree Greater Periwinkle, Biç -Ieaf periwinkle Mexican fan palm I\Invasive Plant Subcommttee\Invasive Plant List Final CCL (5/14/08) 3 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 36

37 ATTACHMENT "B" TOXIC PLANT LIST This list should be utilized in conjunction with the City of Encinitas Invasive and Toxic Plant Policy. There are a significant number of toxic plants whose effects on humans and animals range from minor skin irritations to serious ilness and death. For purposes of the policy, only plants that are commonly found in the Encinitas area, and are known to cause serious injury and/or death were included on the list. convenience. ' The botanical names shall be used for all analysis and decision making; the common names are listed solely for BOTANICAL NAME COMMON NAME TOXIC PART SYMPTOMS Nausea, vomiting, stomach pains, diarrhea, weakness, cold sweat, drowsiness, colic, weak and fast pulse, trembling, Rosary pea, Jequirity pea, circulatory collapse, coma and death in 1 to 3 days, if eaten. One Abrus precatorius Precor bean, Prayer bean Seeds seed is said to be fatal to a child. The seeds being colorful or Love bean (brilliant red and jet black) are frequently used in rosaries, necklaces and leis. These should be removed from homes with small children. Atropa belladonna Belladonna Entire plant Brugmansia species Angel's trumpet Entire plant Cestrum species Cestrum Berries and leaves Cicuta douglasii Western water hemlock Entire plant Colchicum autumnale Autumn crocus, meadow saffron Entire plant Conium maculatum Poison hemlock Entire plant Rapid pulse, dilation of pupils, fever and death, if eaten. One leaf can be fatal to an adult. Dry mouth, thirst, nausea, vomiting, hallucinations, delirium, convulsions, coma and death, if eaten. Nausea and vomiting, headache, dizziness, hallucinations, muscle spasms, paralysis if eaten. Diarrhea, violent convulsions, tremors, delirium and death, if eaten. Burning pain in mouth, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cerebral depression and possible death, if eaten. Nervousness, weakness of the muscles, trembling, coldness, coma, respiratory paralysis and death, if eaten. Daphne adora and other Daphne Berries, flowers, Burning or ulceration of the throat and stomach, vomiting, internal I\nvasive Plant Subcommttee\Toxic Plant List Final eei (5/14/08) 1 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 37

38 BOTANICAL NAME COMMON NAME TOXIC PART SYMPTOMS species leaves and bark bleeding with bloody diarrhea, weakness, coma and death, if eaten. Only a few berries can be fatal to a child. Jimson weed, Jamestown Datura species weed, Thornapple, Apple Entire plant of Peru, or Tolquacha Gelsemium sempervirens Carolina jessamine Entire plant Dry mouth, thirst, nausea, vomiting, hallucination, delirium, convulsions, coma and death, if eaten. The seeds contain more toxic (alkaloids) than any other part of the plant. 20 seeds are regarded as being sufficient to produce poisoning in an adult. Profuse sweating, convulsions, respiratory arrest and death, if eaten. Nerium oleander Oleander Entire plant Nausea, vomiting, stomach pains, dizziness, slowed pulse, irregular heartbeat, dilation of pupils, bloody diarrhea, drowsiness, unconsciousness, paralysis of lungs and death, ifeaten. A single leaf is said to be sufficient to kill an aduit and a few flowers a child. Nicotiana glauca Tree tobacco Entire plant Pieris japonica Japanese pieris, lily-ofthe-valley shrub Leaves and nectar Rhododendron species Azalea Entire plant Nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, irregular pulse and at times, death. Tingling sensation, watering eyes, nose and mouth, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, convulsions, can be fatal if ingested. Vomiting and watering of the eyes, mouth and nose, slow pulse, low blood pressure, convulsions and death, if eaten. Nausea, vomiting, burning of the mouth, excessive thirst, diarrhea, stomach pains, dullness of vision, convulsions, uremia and death in 1 to 12 days, if eaten. Seeds contain more toxic Ricinus communis Castor bean Entire plant principle (ricin) then any other part of the plant. 1 to 3 seeds can be fatal to a child and 2 to 8 seeds to an adult. Castor oil, obtained from the seeds and sold as a laxative, does not contain any toxic substance and is safe to use. Seeds, young Robinia pseudoacacia Black locust leaves and inner bark Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weakened pulse, depression, coldness in arms and legs and even death, if eaten. Sophora secundifora Mescal bean Seeds!\nvasive Plant Subcommttee\Toxic Plant List Final CC1 (5/14/08) 2 Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, coma and death, if eaten. One seed is sufficient to cause the death of a child. 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 38

39 , BOTANICAL NAME COMMON NAME TOXIC PART SYMPTOMS Nausea, vomiting, heart stimulation, convulsions and death, if Thevetia peruviana Yellow oleander Entire plant eaten. The fruits are more poisonous than any other part of the plant. One fruit can cause the death of an adult. Vinca species Vinca, periwinkle Entire plant Zigadenus species Death camas Entire plant When dried and smashed can be harmful, cause respiratory distress Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pains, slow pulse, lowered body temperature, muscular weakness and death, if eaten. I\Invasive Plant Subcommttee\Toxic Plant List Final CCi (5/14/08) 3 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 39

40 FAQ's Frequently Asked Questions Invasive Plants 1. What are invasive plants? An invasive plant is a plant that is not native to the ecosystem where it is growing. Plants can become invasive when they are not controlled by natural predators, and spread out of control, displacing native plants and causing harm to the wildlife habitat, water quality, recreation, and biological diversity. As a result, an invasive plant causes or is likely to cause harm not just to the native plants in that ecosystem, but also to the environment in general, to the economy, and/or to human health. In addition to the issues listed above, invasive plants exacerbate flood damage, exacerbate wildfires by increasing their spread and frequency, degrade open spaces and agricultural lands, and limit recreation in both wetland and terrestrial areas. 2. Are all non-native plants invasive? No. The vast majority of non-native plants (exotic plants) do not become invasive. It is only a few that become invasive but those that do are tremendously problematic. 3. Do I need to remove all the non-native plants from my garden? No. Only remove the ones listed on the city's invasive list or ones you find listed on 4. Do I need to remove all the invasive plants from my garden? It would be best if you did. 5. How do I know if a plant in my garden is invasive? Please check the city's list of invasive plants, or see lists and photos of plants invasive in Southern California. 6. I have plants that reseed in my garden - are they invasive? Invasive Plant FAQs 5/14/08.doc i 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 40

41 Not necessarily. Some plants reseed freely or become somewhat aggressive in garden situations. It is only when they invade intact ecosystems and crowd out native plants that we regard them as being invasive. 7. If these plants are invasive, how come they are sold in nurseries? There is no comprehensive policy in place to prevents nurseries from selling invasive plants. In addition, plants that are invasive in one area (e.g. southern California) may not be a problem in other areas (e.g. northern California). A new program called PlantRight! ( a voluntary, proactive program for the horticultural community is working to prevent invasive plant introductions through horticulture and to limit the production and sale of invasive plants throughout the state. Their goal is to educate professionals and the public about the negative impacts of invasive plants, so growers wil stop growing and nurseries wil stop selling invasive plants. 8. If I find a plant in the nursery, is it safe? Not necessarily. The best thing to do is to educate yourself by checking the city's list of invasives and the the list published at for Southern California..9. Are all toxic plants invasive? No. Invasiveness and toxicity are two entirely different things. A toxic plant is any plant that causes injury, illness or death of a human or animal. A toxic plant mayor may not be invasive. lo.are all invasive plants toxic? No. An invasive plant rna or may not be toxic. There is not relation between the two. 11. Where is it okay to plant an invasive plant? Nowhere 12. Where can I find a list of invasive plants? The City of Encinitas Website, the local library, Look for the list for Southern California. Invasive Plant FAQs 5114/08.doc 2 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 41

42 l3.where can I findan alternative to a plant that is invasive? Please visit or ww.plantrght.org l4.where do invasive plants come from? Invasive plants come from anywhere and everyhere. Often, they are imported for their beauty or usefulness, then spread out of hand before anyone realizes it. Invasive Plant FAQs 5/14/08.doc 3 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 42

43 ATTACHMENT "0" Focus Group Meeting Notes (October 20, 27, 2009 and November 3, 10, 2009) 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 43

44 CITY OF ENCINITAS DRAFT POLICY FOR INVASIVE & TOXIC PLANTS Poinsettia Room, Civic Center 505 South Vulcan Avenue Tuesday, October 20, 2009 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. FOCUS GROUP MEETING NOTES Group: Growers, Nurseries, and Agrcultural Commission Attendees: 3 Bil and Marilyn Kovach (Specimen House and also represented the Farm Bureau), and Aki Barhaghi (student) Staff and Resources: Shannon Bryant, Diane Langager, and Laurie Tremor QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS: 1. Do the plants on the list have an LD50 (poison level) listed? 2. What options will be presented to Council (other than adopting as written)? 3. Plant list seems rather long. 4. Why is Jade included? 5. Under toxic plant list... consider adding contact type too? 6. Wil the City approach private owners to remove invasive or toxic plants? 7. Where's the ground swell...who wants this...the public? Is it just a cost issue? i I i 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 44 I i. I i 1! ~ i l I i I

45 CITY OF ENCINITAS DRAFT POLICY FOR INVASIVE & TOXIC PLANTS Poinsetta Room, Civic Center 505 South Vulcan Avenue Tuesday, November 3,2009 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. FOCUS GROUP MEETING NOTES Group: Developers, Architects, and Landscape Architects Attendees: 1 Chrs Calkins Staff and Resources: Diane Langager and Laure Tremor QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS: 1. The list is too broad and the level of impact vares greatly between each plant. 2. Suggests focusing on the top 5 to Why is Jade Tree on the list....would need all the right conditions to be an issue. 4. All the Gum Trees...some are reasonable to grow. 5. Suggests walking through the bluffs to see what and where the problem plants are. 6. Many ofthe plants on the list are climate appropriate. 7. There may be a resource issue since the draft list is out of proportion to its impact to the community. 8. Maybe the focus on resources should be directed to greater needs such as storm drains. 9. Why the Carrot Wood Tree...this tree is used for a reason in medians. 10. Maybe the City should identify ~ these plants should not be planted. 11. Before adopting a policy, look at all the competing policies (water, fire, etc...) 12. City should focus on an affrmative plan 13. Suggest a phased approach: a. Phase 1 - Focus resources on a list of 10 invasive/toxic plants b. Phase 2 - Create an affirmative list to be used for City projects only. Suggest this can be done through the General Plan process. Then the City can educate and lead by example. 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 45

46 CITY OF ENCINITAS DRAFT POLICY FOR INVASIVE & TOXIC PLANTS Poinsettia Room, Civic Center 505 South Vulcan Avenue Tuesday, November 10, 2009 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. FOCUS GROUP MEETING NOTES Group: Local Conservancies, CAL HIP, Environmental Plant Council, and CNLM Attendees: 1 Jason Giessow (Dendra Inc.) Staff and Resources: Diane Langager and Laurie Tremor QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS: 1. The list is long. 2. Why Jade? 3. Not all plants on the list are an issue. 4. Could keep list, but use color codes to separate 5. Specific Draft Policy Comments: a. #3 seems like a tiered approach. b. Lang. needs to be clarified (OSMP) c. Refers to new use? d. Does the City have the authority to regulate? e. #11 Remove CALIPC...and maybe mention under education # 9 i' f. May want to look into County Weed Management ("A" rated weeds) I As a follow up to the meeting, Jason provided an edited version of the Draft Invasive Non-Native Plant list (attached). The following are his comments regarding the suggested edits. 1) Priority tier listed* (lor 2, with aquatic plants listed separately) 2) Horticultural use (may need Carl Bell and/or Nan Sterman to review this and make sure all are correct - not sure on some ofthem) 3) CDFA rating (with the descriptions of the ratings at the end ofthe table). * Tier 1 and 2 are priority ratings. Tier 1 meaning these are the most problematic plants that would be the priority to be addressed. There is currently enough information to clearly demonstrate that these plants are impacting natural resources and fire/flood issues. Tier 2 plants may be causing impacts to natural resources, but the impacts are not well characterized at this point, or the impacts do not seem to be as severe. If a 'prohibited list' is established - this would be Tier 1, and a 'recommended no plant list' - this would be Tier 2 plants. Question marks on the Tier levels are plants not certain about. Horticultural use refers to if the plants are actively for sale in nurseries etc. The question marks are plants not sure of their horticultural use - suggest that the horticultural use be checked by Carl Bell and/or Nan Sterman. I 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 46

47 ATTACHMENT "E" Public Comments 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 47

48 California Association of Nurseries and Garden Centers 1521 I Street. Sacramento, CA Phone (916) Fax (916) Website City of Encinitas City Council 505 S. Vulcan Avenue Encinitas, CA RE: City of Encinitas Draft Invasive Plant Policy May 16,2014 To Whom It May Concern: The California Association of Nurseries and Garden Centers (CANGC) is aware of and appreciates the serious threats posed and harm done by invasive plants in California. Our organization voluntarily partnered with PlantRight in fall 2013 to integrate ornamental invasive plant information into our educational offerings, certifications, and ongoing communications with members. CANGC was drawn to work with PlantRight because of its abilty to address horticultural invasive plants in a balanced and practical manner. PlantRight takes a collaborative, science-based, and voluntary approach, and offers suggestions for noninvasive alternatives to use instead. As a result, PlantRight has been effective at helping groups across the horticultural supply chain phase out invasive plants in ways that are good for business and the environment. PlantRight works with trade associations such as ours, growers, retailers, landscape professionals and gardening communities. After reviewing the draft "Policy for Invasive Plants", we encourage the City of Encinitas to recognize that there is an existing model for addressing horticultural invasive plants that works, and to consider incorporating PlantRights principles into the pending policy. More specifically, we encourage the City of Encinitas to be science-based, transparent, and collaborative in its process for creating any invasives list. We also suggest prioritizing species that pose serious risk to wildland ecology, beyond simply being weeds in urban open spaces. Lastly, there are many species listed with no horticultural significance in California, Purple Loosestrife and Yellow Star Thistle for example, and it is unclear to us why they are included. We are concerned that inclusion of non-horticulturally significant plants dilutes the focus from those plants with an outsized potential to cause ecological harm. Why we support PlantRight and why we think the City of Encinitas should adopt a similar science-based approach to invasive plants: Plant Right is collaborative: PlantRight -led and funded by 501c3 nonprofit Sustainable Conservation - is guided by a diverse allance of stakeholders. This alliance includes leading horticultural professionals, plant scientists, conservation groups and government representatives in California. By bringing these groups together and giving them a voice, PlantRight has been effective in getting buy-in and making progress in promoting exclusively noninvasive plants for California. 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 48

49 PlantRight is science-based: PlantRight evaluates species through data collection practices and review of scientific journal entries in order to maintain a credible and objective list. In addition, PlantRight screens these plants with a Plant Risk Evaluation (PRE) tool. This highly-accurate tool has been developed by PlantRight - in partnership with plant scientists at UC Davis and the University of Washington - to predict the invasive risk of species and/or cultivars. This allows PlantRight to make accurate determinations on emerging ornamental invasives, which provides vital information the industry can use to prevent the further spread of invasives. PlantRight is voluntary: PlantRight is effective at encouraging nurseries and landscape professionals to be leaders in taking both ownership and pride in phasing out invasive plants. This cultural shift will have a lasting impact and allow for more of a win-win for cities, communities, and local industry - which adds practical, cultural, aesthetic, and financial value. PlantRight offers alternative solutions: For each invasive plant on its list, PlantRight works with horticultural and botanical experts to identify appropriate, noninvasive alternatives. This makes it easy for nurseries, landscape professionals and gardeners to do the right thing and choose more regionally appropriate plants. PlantRight also provides free educational resources on this topic and recognizes retail nurseries through a partnership program. We recognize and commend the city for raising awareness about this serious issue. Dedicating resources to removing invasives and educating people about this is a necessary step toward protecting our state from the further spread of invasives. We encourage you to consider PlantRights approach as a model for how to address invasives in your area. Sincerely, o Chri anobini President CANGC 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 49

50 I ELIRO~AMERICAN"' PROPAGATORS, L.LC, 5/15/14 Dear Encinitas City Council and City Management Staff, I am the Stock Production Manager for EuroAmerican Propagators, a wholesale nursery in Bonsall which originated in Encinitas in EuroAmerican Propagators is a member of the San Diego County Flower and Plant Association, the California Association of Nurseries and Garden Centers and the San Diego County Farm Bureau. I want to take this opportunity to let you know some of our concerns with the Proposed Invasive Plant Policy. EuroAmerican Propagators produces over 900 varieties of plants for sale in all 50 States; our most popular line of herbaceous perennials is the Proven Winners brand of plants. We trial our plants for several years before introducing them for sale and one of the criteria we evaluate them for is their potential to become invasive. We wil not introduce a plant into the market if we see that it has a strong tendency to become invasive from seed propagation. We prefer to introduce sterile varieties whenever possible. This is not just EuroAmerican Propagators' policy, most large plant breeding companies have the same policy. We all want to be responsible growers and protect the environment from invasive plants. However, the list of plants currently being considered for adoption into a list of invasive plants for the City's Invasive Plant Policy contains ten genera of plants that we produce and sell throughout the USA; they are: Crassula, Cyperus, Hedera, Lobularia, Melinus, Osteospermum, Pennisetum, Nassella, Tropaeolum and Vinca. The vareties of these plants which we produce are not considered to be invasive and some of them are actually sterile and cannot produce seeds. These nine genera generate more than $500,000 in sales per year. It may seem that the City of Encinitas banning these plants wil not have much of an effect on a company with nationwide sales, but I fear that if a City as respected as Encinitas, declares plants invasive, it wil encourage more Cities to do the same and over time it wil negatively affect national sales. Additionally, these are just the plants that affect EuroAmerican Propagators, there are FOURTY-SIX plants on the proposed invasive species list that other local nurseries commercially produce and there may be similar negative effects on their sales if those plants are declared invasive. I ask that the City Council and City Management Staff please consider the following suggestions: Re-evaluate the proposed list of invasive species with input from Nursery Industry representatives. The invasive species list should only include plants that are truly invasive in Encinitas. There should be an exemption for plant varieties that produce sterile seeds or do not easily propagate themselves. We have several people at EuroAmerican Propagators, including myself, that would be willng to help reevaluate the proposed invasive species list as par of a sub-committee or as advisors, please feel free to contact us. Thank you for your consideration of my suggestions. Sincerely, Fred Ceballos Stock Production Manager, EuroAmerican Propagators, LLC Aquaduct Road, Bonsall, CA fred(gpweuro.com Cell: r ì 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 50

51 Minority Report from the San Diego County Flower & Plant Association 4/7/13 Subject: Draft Invasive Plant Policy and Invasive Plant List This letter is to express our opposition to the "Invasive Plant Policy and Invasive Plant List". The San Diego County Flower & Plant Association represents over 150 wholesale businesses based in the North County of San Diego that are par of the floriculture industry. Sellng plants is their livelihood. We understand the city's desire to control the invasive plants that plague our open areas and estuaries. We also as business professionals, home owners and people of the community would like to control the invasive weeds. When the proposal for the Invasive Plant Policy and Invasive Plant List was first discussed years ago we watched with interest and were wiling and able to go along with the idea of establishing measures of controllng the most invasive and troublesome plants. When the list grew to over 100 plants (many of which were commercially grown and are not very invasive) we expressed opposition and concern. Over the years we have given suggestions to improve the proposed list and policy through letters, , conversations to the subcommittee, but our suggestions fell on deaf ears. Little to no change was made to the Draft Policy and List. Finally we formed a Plant Stakeholders group to formally get together and suggest ideas for change and to again express concern for the proposed policy. We met separately as well as with the subcommittee hoping that we could get some type of compromise that would satisfy both sides. Unfortunately again our ideas were disregarded and little to no change was made to the list and the Proposed Policy.! There are many plants on this list that are commercially grown and do not have any factual events that they are currently invasive and creating a problem in Encinitas. This is where the focus should be. There should be a focus on plants that are currently creating a problem in Encinitas and develop a policy on how to deal with those plants. Not a list of the most disliked plants, which can involve more opinions than facts. I i ì' I We also fear that this proposal has the potential to be a run away train. With the abilty to add plants at anytime and only have a 5 year review to be able to remove plants gives the potential to have this list grow rapidly. And again with no set criteria on how plants can get added, it can potentially become a list of plants that are not liked by a select few people. Another concern we have is the effect this list can have in other cities across the US. When one city adopts and bans a list of invasive plants, it may encourage other cities to adopt the same list without considering whether or not the plant is really invasive in their area. Many of the growers in the San Diego County Flower & Plant Association market plants nationwide and could see sales and business negatively affected if commonly produced plants are included in invasive plant lists. Nationwide plant sales in the milions of dollars could be affected. I urge you to reconsider the proposed policy and invasive plant list. We need a policy that incorporates all aspects of business and environmental needs and not just have it focus on one side. We would gladly partake in a good diversified committee that can compromise and come up with a good policy and list with a sound set of criteria for the future years. 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 51

52 Thank you for your time and thoughts in this matter. Sincerely Darell Ades President San Diego County Flower & Plant Association 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 52

53 ATTACHMENT "F" Invasive Species List of the San Diego County Water Efficient Landscape Design Manual (Appendix I) 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 53

54 -~' APPENDIX I INVASIVE SPECIES BOTANICAL NAME COMMON NAME BOTANICAL NAME COMMON NAME Acacia baileyana Bailey Acacia Callistemon vimina/is Weeping Bottebrush Acacia cyclops Coastal Wattle Carpobrotus chilensis Sea Fig, Highway Ice Plant Acacia dealbata Silver Wattle Carpobrotus edulis Ice Plant Acacia /ongifolia (A. latiolia) Golden Wattle Centaurea so/stitialis Yellow Starthistle Ailanthus a/tissima Tree of Heaven Centranthus ruber Anthemis cotula Mayweed Chrysanthemum coronarium Red Valerian, Jupiter's Beard Garland or Crown Daisy Aptenia cordifolia Red Apple Iceplant Cirsium vulgare * Wild Artichoke Arctotheca calendula Cape Weed Conium macu/atum Poison Hemlock Carta de Arundo donax ria jubata & all Giant Cane Jubata Grass & all varieties varieties Asparagas asparagoides Bridal Creeper Cortaderia se/loana& all Pampas Grass & all varievarieties ties Asparagus densiflorus & all Asparagus Fern varieties Cotoneaster lacteus Cotoneaster, Asparagus setaceus Fern Asparagus Cotoneaster pannosus Silverleaf Cotoneaster Asphodelus fistu/osa Onionweed - Atriplex semibaccata Australian Saltbush Crassula ovata (C. arcentea) Cupaniopsis anacardioides Jade Plant Carrot Wood 8rassica nigra Black Mustard, Cynara cardunculus* Artichoke Thistle 8rassica rapa 8rassica tournefortii County of San Diego Field Mustard Asian Mustard, Sahara Mustard Cyperus invo/ucratus (C. alternifolius) Echium candicans (E. fastuosum) African Umbrella Plant Pride of Madeira APPENDIX I 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 54

55 ~""~-"~",,,==.:~ APPENDIX I INVASIVE SPECIES BOTANICAL NAME Ehrharta longifora Eucalyptus camaldulensis (E. rostrata) Eucalyptus globulus Ficus carica Foeniculum vulgare Fraxinus uhdei Gazania linearis (Gazania longiscapa) Genista monspessulana Hedera canariensis Hedera helix Hypericum canariense Hypericum perforatum Ipomoea purpurea Iris pseudacorus COMMON NAME Long-flowered/Annual Veldt Grass Red Gum, River Red Gum Eucalyptus Blue Gum Edible Fig Sweet Fennel, Wild Fennel Evergreen/S hamel! Mexicanrrropical Ash Gazania, Gazania Daisy, Colorado Gold French Broom Algerian Ivy English Ivy Canary Island Hypericum St. John's Wort Common Morning Glory Yellow Iris BOTANICAL NAME Koelreuteria paniculata Lactuca serriola*, Lepidium latifolium Limonium perezii COMMON NAME Goldenrain Tree Prickly Lettuce Perennial Pepperweed Perez's Marsh-rosemary, Sea Lavender Limonium ramosissimum Algerian Sea Lavender Limonium sinuatum Wavy Leaf Sea Lavender, Statice Lobularia maritima Sweet Allysšüití'. Lonicera japonica & allvarie- Japanese Honeysuckle & ties all varieties Lotus cornieulatus Birdfoot Trefoil Ludwigia hexapetala (L uruguayensis) Lythrum salicaria Malephora erocea Melinus repens (Rhynchelytrum repens) Mentha pulegium Uruguay Marsh-Purslane, Water Primrose Purple Loosestrife Red-flowered Ice Plant, Croceum Ice Plant Natal Grass, Natal Ruby Grass, Red Top Pennyroyal APPENDIX I County of San Diego 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 55

56 APPENDIX I INVASIVE SPECIES BOTANICAL NAME Ehrharta calycina Ehrharta erecta Mentha spicata Mesembryanthemum crystallinum Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum Mirabilis jalapa (M. lindheimeri) Myoporum laetum Myriophyllum aquaticum Myiiophyllum spicatum Nassella tenuissima Nerium oleanader Nicotiana glauca Oenothera speciosa Olea europaea (fruiting varieties) COMMON NAME Perennial Veldt Grass Panic Veldt Grass Spearmint Crystalline Ice Plant Slender-leaved Ice Plant Four O-Clock, Marvel of, Peru Ngaio Tree, Myoporum Parrotfeather Eurasian Watermilfoil Finestem Needlegrass, Mexican Feather Grass Oleander Tree Tobacco Mexican Evening Primose Olive Tree BOTANICAL NAME Opuntia ficus-indica Osteospermum fruticosum (Dimorphotheca fruticosa) Parkinsonia aculeata Pennisetum villosum (Cenchrus viii os us) Grass Pennisetum ciliare (Cenchrus ciliare) Pennisetum clandestinum (Cenchrus clandestinum) Pennisetum setaceum (Cenchrus setaceum) & all varieties except 'Rubrum'/,Cupreum' Phoenix canariensis Pittosporum undulatum Platanus x acerifolia Prunus Iyonii (Prunus ilicifolia ssp.lyonii) Retama monosperma (Genista monosperma) Ricinus communis COMMON NAME Mission Prickly-Pear, Indian Fig, Tuna Cactus Trailing African Daisy, Freeway Daisy Mexican Palo Verde, Jerusalem Thorn Feathertop Fountain Buffelgrass Kikuyu Grass Fountain Grass Canary Island Date Palm Victorian Box London Plane Tree Catalìna Cherry Bridal Veil Broom Castor Bean Robinia pseudoacacia Black Locust. County of San Diego APPENDIX i 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 56

57 APPENDIX I INVASIVE SPECIES -,",':" ',", -- BOTANICAL NAME COMMON NAME BOTANICAL NAME COMMON NAME Salsola tragus Schinus molle Schinus terebinthifolius Senna didymobotrya (Cassia didymobotrya) Silybum marianum Spanium junceum Russian Thistle California Pepper Brazilian Pepper Popcorn Senna, Popcorn Cassia, African Senna Milk Thistle Spanish Broom Tamarix species Tamarisk.~'., Tropaeolum majus Garden Nasturtium Ulmus parvifolia Chinese Elm Tree Vinca major Periwinkle -,"-, - _.'d Zantedeschia aethiopica Calla-lily' (Calla aethiopica) Washington robusta Mex'ican Fan-Palm.. '.- _...'..- The following references were used: Los Angeles Regional Guide to Invasive Plants Matrix Master pdf. California Invasive Plant Council Inventory of California Invasive Plants http) / org/íp/i nventorv/index. ph P. American Society of Landscape Architects, San Diego Chapte-r: Invasive Ornamental Plant Guide 08 mod. pdf. APPENDIX I Cou rity~.0tsan-.oi ego 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 57

58 ATTACHMENT "G" Comparison of I nvasive Plant Lists 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 58

59 COMPARISON OF INVASIVE PLANT LISTS The followng comparison is based on invasive plants list on the Invasive Species List (Appendix I) of the County of San Diego Water Efficient Landscape Design ManuaL. The list compared against the California Invasive Plant Council's (Cal-I PC) Invasive Plant Inventory and the Invasive Plant Subcommittee's Draft Invasive Plant List. The purpose of the comparison is to show the consistency between all three lists. Invasive Plant Lists: 1. Invasive Species List (Appendix I) of the County of San Diego Water Effcient Landscape Design Manual a. Currently utilized by the City. b. Designated as part of the Encinitas Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance. c. No invasive species shall be added to certain residential and commercial landscape projects. d. Approximatly 101 invasive plants on list 2. California Invasive Plant Council's (Cal-I PC) Invasive Plant Inventory a. Currently utilized by the City. b. As part of CEQA review, the City can prevent the planting of invasive plants listed on the Cal-IPC List. c. Approximately 193 invasive plants on list. 3. Invasive Plant Subcommittee's Draft Invasive Plant List a. Draft Invasive Plant List was developed using multiple resources including the 2 lists above. b. Has been used as a resource list by the City. c. Approximately 80 invasive plants on list. The following is a summary of the chart below: 1. There are 45 invasive plants highlighted in blue that are listed on all 3 invasive plant lists. 2. There are 28 invasive plants highlighted in yellow that are included on the Subcommittee's Invasive Plant List, but not on Cal-IPC. 3. There are 13 invasive plants highlighted in orange that are included on Cal-I PC, but not on the Subcommittee's list. 4. There are 13 invasive plants highlighted in green that are only on the County's Invasive Species List. Invasive Species List - County of San Diego Water Efficient Landscape Desi n Manual Note: "X" means plant is on the list. California Invasive Plant Subcommittee's Council's Invasive Plant Invasive Plant List Inventory (Cal-I PC) 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 59

60 California Invasive Plant Invasive Species List - County of San Diego Water Subcommittee's Council's Invasive Plant Efficient Landscape Design Manual Invasive Plant List Inventory (Cal-I PC) Arctotheca, calendula Cape Weed., Arundo donax Giant Reed, Arundo X X X X Asparagus asparagoides Bridal creeper, Smilax asparagus X X Asphodelus fistulosa Hollow-stem Asphodel, Onionweed X X Atriplex semibaccata Australian Saltbush. X X Carpobrotus chilensis Sea Fig, Highway Iceplant X X Carpobrotus edulis " Hottentot Fig, Highway Iceplant X X Centaurea solstitialis Yellow starthistle X X Chrysanthemum coronarium Garland or Crown Daisy X X Cortaderia jubata & all varieties Jubata gràss & all varieties X X Cortaderia selloana & all varieties Pampas grass & all varieties X X Cotoneaster lacteus (C. parneyi) Cotoneaster X X Cotoneaster pannosus Silverleaf cotoneaster X X Cynara cardunculus Artichoke thistle X X Echium candicans (E. fastuosum) Pride of Madeira X X Ehrharta calycina Perennial veldt grass X X Ehrharta erecta Panic veldt grass X X Ehrharta longiflora Long-flowered/Annual veldt grass X X Eucalyptus globulus Blue Gum X X Foeniculum vulgare Sweet Fennel, Wild fennel X X Genista monspessulana French broom, X X Hedera helix English ivy X X Hypericum canariense Klamathweed, Canary Island St. John's Wort X, X Iris pseudacorus Pale yellow iris, Yellow flag X X Lepidium I tifolium Perennial pepperweed, Tall whitetop X X 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 60

61 California Invasive Plant Invasive Species List - County of San Diego Water Subcommittee's Council's Invasive Plant Efficient Landscape Design Manual Invasive Plant List Inventory (Cal-I PC) Lobularia maritima Sweet allyssum X X Ludwigia hexapetala (L. uruguayensis) Uruguay Marsh-Purslane, Water primrose X X Lythrum salicaria Purple loosestrife X X Mentha pulegium Pennyroyal X X Mesembryanthemum crystallinum Crystallne iceplant X X Myoporum laetum (Myoporum perforatum) Ngaio, Myoporum, Mousehole Tree X X Myriophyllum aquaticum Parrotfeather X X Myriophyllum spicatum Eurasion watermilfoil X X Pennisetum clandestinum (Cenchrus clandestinum) Kikuyu grass X X Pennisetum setaceum' (Cenchrus setaceum) & all.. py('pnl ' ",, Fountain grass X X Phoenix canariensis Canary island date palm X X Retama monosperma (Genista monosperma) Bridal veil broom X X Ricinus communis Castor bean X X Robinia pseudoacacia Black locust X X Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilan pepper tree X X Spartium junceum Spanish broom X X Tamarix (all species) Tamarisk, Salt-cedar -: all species X X Vinca major Greater Periwinkle, Big-leaf periwinkle X X Washingtonia robusta Mexican fan palm X Acacia cyclops Coastal Wattle, Cyclops Acacia X '. X Acacia longifolia (A. latifolia) Golden Wattle X Aptenia cordifolia (Mesembryanthemum cordifolium) Heartleaft iceplant, Red Apple, Baby Sun rose X Asparagus densiflorus & all varieties Asparagus Fern, Meyers & Sprenger asparagus X Asparagus setaceus (A. plumosus) Fern asparagus X Cupaniopsis anacardioides Carrot Wood X 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 61

62 California Invasive Plant Invasive Species List - County of San Diego Water Subcommittee's Council's Invasive Plant Efficient Landscape Design Manual Invasive Plant List Inventory (Cal-I PC) Cyperus involucratus (c. alternifolius) African Umbrella Plant X Eucalyptus camaldulensis (E. rostrata) Red Gum, River red gum X Fraxinus uhdei Evergreen/Shamel/MexicanfTropical Ash X Gazania linearis (Gazania longiscapa) Gazania, Gazania daisy, Colorado gold, Hardy gazan X Hedera canariensis Algerian ivy X Ipomoea purpurea Common Morning-glory X Koelreuteria paniculata Goldenrain tree X Limonium perezii Perez's Marsh-rosemary, Sea lavender X Limonium ramosissimum Algerian sea lavender X Limonium sinuatum Nothc-Ieaf Marsh-rosemary, Statice X Lonicera japonica & all varieties Japanese Honeysuckle & all varieties X Malephora crocea Red-flowered iceplant, Croceum iceplant X Melinus repens (Rhynchelytrum repens) Natal grass, Natal ruby grass, Red top X Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum Slender-leaved iceplant X Nassella tenuissima Mexican feather grass X Oenothera speciosa Mexican evening primrose X Opuntia ficus-indica Mission Prickly-pear, Indian fig, Tuna cactus X Pennisetum chiare (Cenchrus ciliare) Buffelgrass X Pennisetum villosum (Cenchrus vilosus) Feathertop fountain grass X Pittosporum undulatum Victorian box X Platanus x acerifolia London plane tree X Tropaeolum majus Garden nasturtium X Ulmus parvifolia Chinese elm tree X Brassica nigra Black Mustard X Brassica rapa Field Mustard X 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 62

63 California Invasive Plant Invasive Species List - County of San Diego Water Subcommittee's Council's Invasive Plant Efficient Landscape Design Manual Invasive Plant List Inventory (Cal-I PC) Brassica tournefortii Asian Mustard, Sahara Mustard X Cirsium vulgare Wild Artichoke X Conuum maculatum Poison Hemlock X Ficus carica Edible Fig X Hypericum perforatum St. John's Wort X Nicotiana glauca Tree Tobacco X Olea europaea (fruiting varieties) Olive Tree X Salsola tragus Russian thistle X Schinus molle California Pepper X Silybum marianum Milk thistle X Zantedeschia aethiopica (Calla aethiopica) Calla-lily X M Acacia baileyana Bailey Acacia Acacia dealbata Silver Watte Anthemis cotula Mayweed. Callstemon viminalis Weeping Bottebrush Centranthus ruber Crassula ovata (C. argentèa) Lactuca serriola Lotus corniculatus. Red Valerian, Jupiter's Beard.. Jade Plant. Prickly Lettuce Birdfoot Trefoil ~ Mentha spicata Spearmint Mirabilis jalapa (M. Iindheimeri) Four O-Clock, Marvel of Peru Nerium Oleander Oleander Osteospermum fruticosum (Dimorphotheca fruticosa) Trailing African daisy, Freeway daisy. Parkinsonia aculeata Mexican Palo Verde, Jerusalem Thorn Ii 07/16/2014 Item #10C Page 63