Conservation Commissions & Invasive Plants

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1 Conservation Commissions & Invasive Plants Photo from A Landowner s Guide to Invasive Plan Management, Westfield River Watershed Invasive Species Partnership Fall 2015 MA Envirothon Coach & Team Workshop

2 All Massachusetts Cities & Towns Have a Conservation Commission Their Responsibilities: Administer permitting for Wetlands Protection Act (WPA) & Local Bylaws Protect & Manage Open Space

3 WPA permits needed for any work* in: Wetlands Waterbodies 100 Buffer Zone of above 200 Riverfront Areas 100-year Floodplain * Includes destruction of vegetation 3

4 Conservation Lands may have Invasive Plant Problems Oriental bittersweet Purple loosestrife Oriental bittersweet Japanese knotweed Water chestnut Japanese Honeysuckle

5 What are Invasive Plants? MIPAG definition: non-native species that have spread into native or minimally managed plant systems in MA. These plants cause economic or environmental harm by developing self-sustaining populations and becoming dominant and/or disruptive to those systems. They outcompete native plants because they grow rapidly, produce large #s of viable seed, survive in a wide range of habitats, leaf-out earlier in spring & stay in leaf longer in fall, are not susceptible to many native pests, and some produce toxins to inhibit native species. (MACC & WISP)

6 Why should we care? Preserve the native biodiversity that common & rare species depend on for habitat & survival Protect working farm & forest land Protect scenic landscapes & cultural features Maintain recreational trails & use of open land Invasives may respond more quickly to climate change & further outcompete natives

7 Controlling Invasive Plants First Step- Accurate Identification MIPAG TTOR USFS MACC NEWFS-GO BOTANY 7

8 Controlling Invasive Plants First Step- Accurate Identification Delaware Dept of Agriculture Many plants can look similar, esp. if the same genus 8

9 Controlling Invasive Plants First Step- Accurate Identification Which of these vines are native or invasive? 9

10 Controlling Invasive Plants First Step- Accurate Identification Which one of these shrubs is native? 10

11 Controlling Invasive Plants Second Step- Early Detection Rapid Response Statewide strategic management plan- control small populations of invasive plants before they become widespread. Please report to Conservation as well! 11

12 Controlling Invasive Plants Third Step- Careful Disposal Burn it (Make a brush pile of woody debris & burn it). Pile it (woody debris) Compost it (If no seeds, place in its own pile, monitor for seedlings, do not use in gardens or yard). Dry or cook it (Place woody debris on asphalt & dry for a month. Place herbaceous material in double black plastic bags to cook for a month in the sun). Then dispose of with trash. Use only if no viable seed in debris. 12

13 Controlling Invasive Plants Third Step- Careful Disposal Some plants are especially difficult to destroy because they can re-sprout from fragments. These include: Oriental bittersweet, multi-flower rose, Japanese honeysuckle, phragmites, and Japanese knotweed. These should be burned or dried before disposal in trash. Disposal information from Conservation Notes of the NE Wildflower Society Managing Invasive Plants Methods of Control, by Christopher Mattrick Photo credit Cynthia Boettner, USFWS 13

14 Examples of Invasive Control Permitting The level of permitting depends more on the method than the location. If you are working far enough away from the wetland resource areas described above, you don t need Conservation Commission approval. But you do need the landowner s, and you need to check the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program rare species maps first. 14

15 Examples of Invasive Control Permitting Hand pulling/digging up roots/cutting stems Simple 4 page form, no state fee. Takes 21 days to complete process. If EDRR, may need to request an Emergency Order instead. Photo credit K. Boucher Photo credit USFWS 15

16 Examples of Invasive Control Permitting Handpulling/Digging up roots/cutting stems Some examples are: Garlic Mustard Mile-a-minute vine Japanese barberry Water chestnut Japanese knotweed (early) Purple loosestrife Oriental bittersweet Many EDRR sites? 16

17 Examples of Invasive Control Permitting Mechanical & Biological 11+ page form, state fee. May take 1-2 months to complete process. Photo credit Cynthia Boettner, USFWS 17

18 Examples of Invasive Control Permitting Chemical 11+ page form, state fee. May take 1-2 months to complete process. Expensive multi-year project, but may be only option for heavy infestation. Photo credit Lincoln Fish, Baystate Forestry Photo credit Lincoln Fish, Baystate Forestry 18

19 Examples of Invasive Control Permitting Chemical Results of mechanical & chemical treatment First treatment Fall 2013 Top photos 5/9/14 Bottom photos 10/29/15 Some new growth 1 st year but still more to go. 19

20 How can you help? Learn how to identify some of the EDRR plants Start checking your yard, neighborhood, park, pond or conservation area Report any sites to EDRR & CC Join volunteer invasive removal events (TTOR, USFWS, land trusts)