City Council Study Session Agenda and Packet 2017 02 28

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. Document Histor The Integrated Weed Management Plan (IWMP) was originally drafted in 2009 in response to citizen concerns regarding herbicide use. The plan was peer reviewed, revised, and supported by the State Weed Coordinator with Colorado Department of Agriculture, the Weed Coordinator with Boulder County Parks and Open Space, a Professor of Weed Sciences with Colorado State University, the Weed and Pest Management Specialist with Jefferson County Open Space, and the Open Space Superintendent with the City of Lafayette Open Space. Revisions to the document were made in 2016 with unanimous approval from the Open Space Advisory Board. The Parks and Public Landscape Advisory Board supported the IWMP but did not feel review of revisions was necessary. I . Pur s ose Noxious weeds are one of the most serious threats facing the City of Louisville open space and public lands. Noxious weeds out_compete native vegetation for resources such as sunlight, water, growing space, and soil nutrients. They are able to do so because they have few natural predators or diseases, are not as palatable to wildlife and livestock as native vegetation, have deep and extensive root systems which more easily sequester water and nutrients, produce thousands of seeds per plant, and some weeds have allelopathic capabilities which inhibit the growth of surrounding native plants. Once established noxious weeds cause severe ecological and agricultural impacts to our public lands Open Space and Parks properties by decreasing biodiversity, diminishing habitat and forage for wildlife and decreasing crop yield. Additionally, management of weed control efforts requires a considerable amount of funding and time for planning and implementation. For these reasons it is essential that, as land managers, the Citywe develop an integrated weed management plan (IWMP) to help establish guidelines that will aid the Cityos in controlling noxious weeds. The Purpose of this integrated weed management plan is to provide weed management guidelines that will: • Identify weed control options for integrated weed management as Implement the mandate& byef the Colorado Noxious Weed Act by creating a plan for the control of noxious weeds using integrated control methods. • Consider the environmental, economic, and social impacts of different control methods. Integrated Weed Management Plan 3 7