City Council Agenda and Packet 2020 02 25 SP

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SUBJECT: INTEGRATED WEED MANAGEMENT PLAN/HERBICIDE USE DATE: FEBRUARY 25, 2020 PAGE4OF6 In 2019, Open Space staff treated 130.5 acres of weed infestations on 16 different properties. The Open Space division completed a total of 591.25 hours of weed control in 2019 with 493.5 hours of mechanical control such as mowing or hand pulling. Herbicides used on open space in 2019 include a variety of herbicides to effectively control different weed species. The open space division used a total of 12 ounces of Glyphosate in 2019 and did not use any 2, 4-D. The division also spent an additional 150 hours on restoration (re -seeding) work in an effort for native seed to outcompete weed seeds. Open Space also utilizes controlled burning as a weed mitigation measure. In 2020, Open Space staff is working with Rocky Mountain Fire Protection district to complete a controlled burn at Davidson Mesa. Prescribed burns mimic the natural process of fire that grasslands have adapted to over thousands of years on the Colorado Front Range. Prescribed burns are a tool within the IWMP that promotes heathy communities of native vegetation. This is just one of many types of control methods that staff will employ in 2020. Open Space regularly solicits volunteer assistance for mechanical weed removal through the Adopt an Open Space Program, Weed Whackers, HOA and corporate group weed pulls, and one-time community events such as Pull-4-Colorado. City staff as well as the Boulder County Youth Corps are also engaged in mechanical weed control. Additionally, staff hosts educational booths on weed identification and control options. All of these efforts are ongoing in an attempt to allow native species to out -compete the non-native noxious weeds and allow for a more diverse and healthy ecosystem that benefits the entire community. Advisory Board Feedback and Options: Based on discussions with OSAB and PPLAB, staff has prepared the following options for consideration for next steps. 1. Overall recommendations - No major changes to the IWMP. Minor changes are proposed in attachment 1. • OSAB supports the proposed minor changes to the IWMP. 2. Potential Options regarding herbicide use in Open Spaces • Status Quo, continued use of IWMP for guiding decisions regarding noxious weed control on open space properties. • Allow 2, 4-D and Glyphosate for minimal use on Open Space. • Allow 2, 4-D and Glyphosate for use on only certain Open Spaces (or prohibit its use on certain Open Spaces). • Full Ban on 2, 4-D and Glyphosate on our Open Space properties. CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATION