HomeMy WebLinkAbout20160103.tiff RESOLUTION
RE: APPROVE STATE NOXIOUS WEED FUND GRANT APPLICATION AND AUTHORIZE
CHAIR TO SIGN
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, pursuant to
Colorado statute and the Weld County Home Rule Charter, is vested with the authority of
administering the affairs of Weld County, Colorado, and
WHEREAS, the Board has been presented with a State Noxious Weed Fund Grant
Application from the County of Weld, State of Colorado, by and through the Board of County
Commissioners of Weld County, on behalf of the Department of Public Works, to the Colorado
Department of Agriculture, commencing April 15, 2016, and ending October 14, 2016, with further
terms and conditions being as stated in said application, and
WHEREAS, after review, the Board deems it advisable to approve said application, a copy
of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Weld
County, Colorado, that the State Noxious Weed Fund Grant Application from the County of Weld,
State of Colorado, by and through the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, on behalf
of the Department of Public Works, to the Colorado Department of Agriculture, be, and hereby is,
approved.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Board that the Chair be, and hereby is, authorized
to sign said application.
The above and foregoing Resolution was, on motion duly made and seconded, adopted
by the following vote on the 6th day of January, A.D., 2016.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
WELD COUNTY, COLORADO
ATTEST: ....4d ..k ;t„
Mike Freeman, Chair
Weld County Clerk the Board
I '/ P. Conway, Pro-Tern
B . __..i. - /
De•uty Clerk to the Board t R l�.•�►+►,, �,(ep
1861 ( = =' ozad
tb
•
APP AS M:
_;I ►-ra Kirkmey r
unty At orney
Steve Moreno
Date of signature: I Ia'Xe�1Lo
_ / 2016-0103
GC iD(tC)Th Mf -715 EG0073
V1/4 Afr'
MEMORANDUM
AG U y__TY
TO: Clerk to the Board DATE: January 4,z 2016
FROM: Tina Booton, Public Worris.1,(/1,Y?-'��
Jay McDonald, 'rector of P blic Works
SUBJECT: Agenda Ite
This request is for applying for a Colorado Department of Agriculture grant to cost-share on
diffuse knapweed as well as hire staff to work with landowners.We are asking for$32,960.00.
Weld County's in-kind match is$11,200,partners match is$25,500.The total in-kind match is
$26,300.
This grant application is for lands in northern Weld County in the Vim, New Raymer and
Stoneham areas.
Please add this item to the agenda for Wednesday, January 6,2016.
2016-0103
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
PASS-AROUND REVIEW/WORK SESSION REQUEST
RE: Colorado Department of Agriculture Grant for Diffuse Knapweed and other species Eradication in
Northeast Weld County
DEPARTMENT: Public Works— Weed Division DATE: December 15, 2015
PERSON REQUESTING: Tina Booton, Weed Division Supervisor
Brief description of the problem/issue:
Diffuse and spotted knapweed, absinth wormwood and hoary cress are State and County listed noxious weed set
for eradication in the northeast part of Weld County. Efforts to eradicate these plants have been ongoing since
2008. The Colorado Department of Agriculture is offering a grant program to help fund these activities. For
2016, the Weld County Weed Division is asking for $32,960.00 in grant funds. $20,000 will be used for cost-
share funds with landowners and $12,960 will be used to cover two-thirds of a seasonal staff time.
The match that has been raised for these funds is as follows:
A. Weld County: In-kind: staff time,vehicle, sprayer, chemical, GPS unit
training,mail, phone, computer. Amount: $ 11,200
B. WGCD - in-kind newsletter promotion Amount: $ 6,100
C. USFS Pawnee National Grassland: In-Kind: vehicle,
technicians, mapping, spraying at 50-100 hours & cash
for Weld County staff to help with work. Amount: $ 14,400
D. Landowner cash match: Amount: $ 5,000
Total: $ 36,700.00
The grant funds are distributed at 80% match up to $700/landowner/year for the eradication efforts of this
species.
What options exist for the Board? (Include consequences, impacts, costs, etc. of options)
Allow for the grant application to he submitted.
Decline the grant application for submission.
Recommendation:
Allow the grant application to be submitted.
Approve Schedule
Recommendation Work Session Other/Comments:
Barb Kirkmeyer,Chair _
Mike Freemen,Pro Tem IY11%
Sean P.Conway
Julie Cozad _ V-Z
Steve Moreno
OFFICE USE ONLY-DO NOT WRITE IN THIS SPACE
Colorado Department of Agriculture Reviewed by Date
Noxious Weed Management Program
305 Interlocken Parkway, Broomfield,CO 80021
Tel: (303)869-9030 Fax:(303)466-2860
www.colorado.goy/weeds
State Noxious Weed Fund Grant Application
Important Before completing this application form. please read the instructions in the RFP
Project Name Diffuse Knapweed, Hoary Cress and Absinth Wormwood Eradication in Weld County
Project Manager/ Tina Booton, Weed Division Supervisor
Contact, and Title
Organization Weld County
Address PO Box 758
City Greeley State CO Zip Code 80632
Phone Number 9703046496 Fax Number 9703046497
Email tbooton@weldgov.com
Project Overview
Proposed Start Date Proposed End Date Grant Request
(click in box to use Apr 15, 2016 (click in box to use Oct 14, 2016 Amount(no S $25,760
drop down calendar) drop down calendar) or,e.g. 12345)
Brief Description This project will work with the landowners from the High Plains Project area and the USFS to treat and
of Project continue working toward eradication of spotted knapweed, diffuse knapweed, absinth wormwood and
hoary cress in the northeast portion of Weld County. A seasonal staff member will be hired to work with
landowners in the project area as well as carry out treatment on the USFS properties.
In the table below, please enter the species and total acres proposed for treatment in this grant. Don't worry about density, gross
acres is fine. You can add as many rows as you need.
Species List Private Local State State' National BLM NPS Other Tribal
(common name) Land Gov't (CPW) (SLB) Forest Federal
plffuse Kanpweed List B eradicate 200 300
i;loary Cress List B eradicate 50 100
•
ACRE TOTALS 250 400
Project Evaluation Criteria
The fields below will expand to fit the amount of text entered. However you must tab(or click) out of the box for it to expand and
fully display the text entered.
Compliance with Noxious Weed Act:
For local governing entity applicants, am you currently in compliance with the Act, or do you plan to be in compliance with the Act
by the end of the grant period?
Compliance With Noxious Weed Act
Now By End Of Grant Process
® [] Adopt and administer noxious weed management plan covering entire jurisdiction.
[]X ❑ Appointed local advisory board.
[] [] Actively working on eradicating List A and selected List B species.
❑ Directly or indirectly managing public ROWS.
"`- ease summarize the specific, measurable project objectives/activities that will be funded by this grant.These should be
measurable objectives that can be used to evaluate your project's effectiveness at the end of the grant. (Example:We will
complete two rounds of herbicide treatment(spring and fall)on all targeted weed species between June and September.)
1. Spotted knapweed will be scouted for in May and June to verify that eradication has been achieved.
2.All landowners with the help of Weld County will treat the absinth wormwood on the lands in their control by the end of June,
before seed set.
3.The diffuse knapweed map will be updated.This will be completed by the end of September.
4. Landowners with diffuse knapweed will be worked with to have their infestations treated.At least 15 of the landowners will
chemically treat their diffuse knapweed infestations by the end of September.
5.Weld County seasonal staff will help treat the diffuse knapweed on the USFS ground bordering private landowners.
6. Hoary cress will be treated in a timely manner on both private and USFS lands along South Pawnee Creek.A spring
treatment(mid-May to early June)will be the first choice(weather permitting). Otherwise a fall treatment(September)will be
implemented.
7. Weld County will complete 1 rounds of herbicide treatments on all targeted weed species along the county roads between
Mayl ,lure.
Describe the importance of the project(locally, regionally, state-wide), the selected species, and why it should be considered a
high priority for funding.
The targeted species are on their way to eradication with a little more effort this can be achieved. Weld County is the third
largest county in the state making it difficult to cover all of the ground, unless there are special projects drawing attention.Weld
County also borders two other states,Wyoming and Nebraska. By eradicating these weed populations, we can prevent the
spread to another state as well as to our neighboring counties.
Describe mnettagement goats.for List A species in this project. Please include the targeted eradication year. Please also include
your short-and long-term plans,timeline for elimination based on past and potential results,measurable milestones used to
evaluate your progress towards elimination(for example, 25%population reduction by next year, 50%in the following year, and
elimination 3 years from now), and future efforts beyond the scope of this grant period. (If not-applicable type N/A.)
Non-Applicable
Describe management goals for proposed List B species subject to elimination in the county/counties affected by this project.
Please include your short- and long-term plans, timeline for elimination based on past and potential results, measurable
milestones used to evaluate your progress towards elimination (for example, 25%population reduction by next year, 50%in the
following, and elimination 3 years from now), and future efforts beyond the scope of this grant period.
(If not-applicable type N/A.)
The management goals for the List B species is eradication in three to five years from today. What has been noticed in previous
years is that with dedicated focus and attention, the private landowners will address the noxious weeds. Without this attention,
the weeds tend to take a back seat to the necessity of their continued control. Two additional obstacles with this project is the
number of out-of-county and/or state landowners that own these parcels and the number of acres enrolled in CRP that are
I
infested with noxious weeds. It takes extra work to persuade These landowners of the infestations on their property and the
responsibility to control the noxious weeds when they can not readily visit the property themselves. A good deal of time is also
spent working with the FSA office to negotiate weed control requirements with the requirements of their program. With this
project, a dedicated seasonal staff member will be hired to focus on these eradication species in northern Weld County and
address these special situations.
Spotted knapweed has a long-term goal to reach eradication by 2018. In 2014 and 2015, no spotted knapweed infestations
were detected. In 2016, a thorough scouting will be conducted to verify if we have reached this eradication requirement. If any
plants are identified,they will be treated accordingly with a chemical treatment.
Diffuse knapweed is a species we have been working toward eradicating since 2008 in this corner of Weld County. For those
first three years, under the High Plains Invasives Project when staff was able to focus on this species,the population was
reduced by 25%. Since then with continued focus, Weld County has been able to eradicate the species from the county
roadsides. Therefore, it is possible to make good strides on this species. The goal for 2016 will be to rebuild the landowner
motivation to reduce the existing population by 25%; then each year afterward reduce the population by at least 25% until we
reach eradication by 2020. Chemical treatments will be utilized. Staff will also be assisting the USFS to treat their infestations of
diffuse knapweed in a timely manner.
Absinth wormwood treatments through 2015 have successfully reduced the original stand by 50% and up to 100% in some
areas that have been treated on a regular basis for several years. With a staff member who can focus on this species
eradication by 2020 is possible. The goal would be to reduce the existing population by 50% each year from 2016 through 2018;
then there would be two years of monitoring to verify that no additional plants develop.
The hoary cress infestations have recently come on the radar in this portion of the county. The goal is to treat all of the known
infested acres with a commercial applicator based on Weld County bids. The goal is to reduce these infestations by 50 to 75%
with this treatment. Follow-up treatments and mapping will be done from 2016 through 2018 with eradication reached by 2022.
Describe management goals for other List B species, and any List C species. Please include your long-term plans, timeline for
elimination based on past and potential results,measurable milestones used to evaluate your progress towards elimination(for
example, 25%population reduction by next year, 50%in the following, and elimination 3 years from now), and future efforts
beyond the scope of this grant period. (If not-applicable type N/A.)
Non-Applicable
Does your project employ an integrated weed management strategy? If so, please describe the various management tools that
you will use and how you decided that this strategy will be the most effective. If grazing will be used, please specify the timing
and frequency, and describe its expected effectiveness. (If you are not using an IWM strategy type N/A.)
There are not any integrated weed management strategies that will be implemented with this project as we are trying to achieve
eradication. The biennial knapweeds do not always respond correctly to pulling, thus chemical treatment is the surest option for
their eradication. The other species (hoary cress and absinth wormwood) are perennial species that require chemical treatment
to control. Mowing and pulling are very ineffective with these species. Chemical treatments provide better control of the
perennial weeds by addressing the root growth. Chemical treatments are also more effective on the large acreage infestations
that the other species present.
In this corner of Weld County where the plants are growing, the native vegetation is healthy and doing well. From a range and
CRP setting the ecosystem is very healthy. The noxious weeds have been able to get a foot hold and grow based on their
characteristics of spreading in the wind, with water flows and coming in as a contaminate with other feeds and seeds. However,
native competition will be examined and adjusted if it has been impacted in any way by the noxious weeds, lack of existence or
being over-grazed and steps will be taken to improve the native competition.
If your project has a prevention (EDRR)or education function or component,please describe what it entails, and what outcomes
you expect to achieve. (if not-applicable type N/A.)
The educational components of this grant includes providing fact sheets to landowners. These fact sheets with color pictures
and chemical options have already been created for each of the four noxious weed species included in this grant as well as
other species.
Additionally,there will be an article in the West Greeley Conservation District(WGCD)newsletter that identifies the List B
eradication weed species covered in this grant, biology of these noxious weeds, eradication options, and the overall goals of
El this grant along with contact information.This newsletter is mailed to 11,200 residents.The project area covers a good
percentage of the WGCD area.
-An announcement of the grant project will be ma a on e e oun s ace oo page. s summer progresses, o ow-
up postings about the specific weed species, pictures, and any other relevant information will also be passed on this way.
Also,the USFS Pawnee National Grassland will discuss weed issues once a month from May through September with their
permitees.This includes handing out fact sheets, weed books and other pieces as appropriate.
From these broad educational pieces,the goal is to have residents of Weld County made aware of these noxious weeds.The
residents of Weld County can assist by reporting sitings of the noxious weeds in the County as well as tell their neighbors about
the negative impacts these weeds, once established, can have on their lands and livelihood.
The seasonal staff member will also reach out to the landowners in each of the areas with the noxious weeds.The staff member
will draft a letter for the specific weed species of concern. These letters will be mailed out and/or emailed to all of the identified
landowners in each of the areas.
The seasonal staff member will follow the letter with phone calls to the landowners that we have contacted and anyone who
calls in. Private meetings will be set to discuss the efforts being made by the landowners and what they plan to do in 2014 to
address these eradication species.The staff member will be able to help the landowner make changes to their program to make
It more successful, if needed.These meetings will provide specific education on the weeds, how best to eradicate the species,
and offer cost-share money to assist in these efforts. The staff member will also get permission to map the noxious weed
infestations at these meetings so that there is a clear understanding of the progress being made.
If after speaking with some of the landowners,they want to have a"town hall" meeting to discuss these species as a group,this
will be arranged. If these meetings are held, both the seasonal staff member and Tina Booton,the Weed Division Supervisor,
will conduct these meetings.
The letters and one-on-one meetings will be the"push"that a number of the landowners need to get them to address the
noxious weeds. It brings the requirements back in front of them and makes noxious weed control a priority in their schedule.
Therefore,from these attempts,the landowners will start treating their infestations and taking the situation seriously.Weed
control needs to be on the front burner for them and the best way to do this is to have a staff member that can follow up with
landowners showing them the importance to eradicate these species.
Describe any partnership/s that exist for this project, including the responsibilities and contributions of each partner. Please
include how long the partnership/s have existed, and describe their value to you in terms of achieving your management goals.
(If this is a single-applicant project type N/A.)
These are long standing partnerships in this project. We have worked together over the years on various projects to address
weed concerns.These partnerships have been evolving since the late 1990's.The assurances from the partners are both
formally and informally made.
Without these partnerships it would not be possible to help the landowners of Weld County as much as is done, by acquiring
grant funds as well as other educational opportunities. Not only are these entities a financial partner, they also provide the
Weed Division with information and serve as another set of eyes on the land.
For this project the partnership breaks down as follows:
USFS Pawnee National Grassland: $4400 for Weed Division Seasonal staff to treat and monitor USFS lands for diffuse
knapweed.
USFS Pawnee National Grassland: $10,000 in-kind for their seasonal staff to treat, map and monitor absinth wormwood, hoary
cress, Russian knapweed, perennial pepperweed and other noxious weeds.
West Greeley Conservation District: $6100 in-kind to print and mail one issue of their newsletter promoting the project and
providing education about the noxious weeds of concern.
Weld County Government: $11,200 in-kind to implement and carry out the grant activities.
Landowner match for the cost-share: $5000.
Do you have assurances from project participants that they are committed,formally or informally, to sustaining noxious weed
control efforts on the lands they own or manage? This includes cost-share recipients and/or local, state or federal land
managers? Please describe the types of agreements,if any,that are in place(including informal"handshakes"to MOUs,
MOAs,to contracts). (If you have no formal or informal agreements type WA.)
In 2015 Weld County and the USFS Pawnee National Grassland entered into a formal working together contract for the next 5
years.All work on their lands will be done through this agreement.
Is this the first time you've applied for state weed funds as an organization, or for your county or jurisdiction? Please describe
your start-up goals and funding needs(short-term, including this grant application, and longer-term needs as well). (If this is an
established program or partnership, type N/A)
Non-Applicable
Please include any other information you wish us to consider in reviewing your grant application. (optional)
ATTESTATION
ALL APPLICANTS PLEASE SIGN:
Your electronic signature below indicates your agreement with the following statements.
By typing my name in the following box I certify that to the best of my knowledge and belief, the statements
and data in this application are complete, true, and correct. In addition, I have thoroughly read the
instructions and guidelines described in the RFP.
Printed Name and position title Mike Freeman, Chair, Board of Weld County Commissioners
Signature (type/s/your name)
Date JAN 0 6 2016
Deadline for receiotof a..Qplica is ns is January 11, 2016 @ 5 p.m.
P_lease.email_ail forms to:
steve.ryder@state.co.us
go/&- 070
I
O oio10 0 0 0 0 0 o'o QQ 0 0 0 0 O O 0 0 ._ ' ��
V?,,0 I 0[U► 00 OO V1 Lf . V} a V1 0 O OO O VT if} VT VT O
X j Ol el N
U F I Vii 4,"tn. N 4" till.. O M
F-
Z
cc O
Z Q !
1:i CI,p� Z Io O 8
•
i. U < I
2 co
•
•
Z p ...
vi m m
V YvF 4/1.ot
II
a
H
4.4
ni
•
a v
who ` �` 8 _
o la
888
W O O1 � O1 O1 al P
Z O N et/ N N 1D
Du,LL W in. in I \ \ An 4" 4" 4"
11.4 \\ \\\ ,\\\>.\\\:\\...\
Lu
G CI
O a i ry w
x: x �a33r 0 x o . ;ff
Ll. u? p O.4" i-
.= I L 0 E a. °
x
Z N Y m x Lo
in > > N
m _
O v ar w o u o cI m o u
w
,..C'5 V Ei 9 : m a m I c a 3 H
y • 0I�: Wi L��. C !.2 ti 2 ¢
0 a-i W d F+, N 'gyp �j C W Q
U- u 0 o a, L E I O VI a I 2 on , x
w - v m o E u m y c 3 3 2 u
vwi 3 `^ 3 d w p z z ¢
to Lo c 3
vii N •
• w 7 3 E Lo to O m r p 0
UJ
41.1
CO N X
N u t c, " I z E °JHI
; Ln
Ol- Q cc a
Hello