Open Space Advisory Board Agenda and Packet 2010 10 13

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2010 Cheatgrass Control Plan Characteristics Impacts Control Options Louisville Open Space Cheatgrass Infestations Selected Control Plan Impacts Ecological Reduces available soil moisture and nutrients, displacing native grass communities Poor forage quality for wildlife Increased occurrences of wildfire creates invasion cycle Impacts Agriculture According to University of AZ, cheatgrass causes loss of $300 million annually in lost crop yield no million spent by farmers to control cheatgrass Decreased property value of agricultural lands Nreos Characteristics A.K.A. Bromus tectorum, downy brome, Japanese brome List C Noxious Weed Winter Annual Matures from May to July Seed viable for 2 -5 years Rapidly invades disturbed sites Outcompetes native vegetation by germinating early to access soil moisture and nutrients Recreation Sharp seeds easily become imbedded in clothing and pet fur causing irritation and spreading the seed Support for Control Controlling cheatgrass is consistent with Open Space guiding documents Home Rule Charter Section 15 -i The purpose of this artide to establish management standards for City owned open space lands that: Are consistent with good stewardship and sound ecological prindples; Preserve and promote native plants, native wildlife, and their habitats Master Plan Preserve and Protect designations shall be managed in a manner to preserve and promote long- terntviabibty of native flora IWMP Priority will be placed on populations of noxious weeds that fulfill one or more of the foil xing coterie: Located in environmentally sensitive area such as riparian areas, wetlands, or within populations of rare or imperiled native plant species Located along movementcorridors such as trails and riparian auras Located within a restoration unit 10/5/2010 1