Removing the Bad Guys

KELT is always working to keep our preserves in the best condition for visitors, the environment and native species of plants and animals. Our work is guided by management plans specific to each property, and the work is often led by our preserve monitors with volunteer trail stewards.

Sometimes we have a job that requires professional assistance, such as trail design, technical building or specific techniques for removing invasive species.  This summer KELT is aggressively working to eradicate invasive plants from three preserves before they  take over habitat from native plants. To do so we have hired Stantec because they are licensed to apply specific herbicides and are trained in safe and effective methods for applying them in sensitive areas.

Methods

Stantec will utilize a variety of invasive species control methods.  At Weber Kelly Preserve, Stantec will perform a foliar, broadcast application with a backpack sprayer to treat Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii).  At Merrymeeting Fields, Stantec will also perform a foliar, broadcast application with a backpack sprayer to treat Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica).  At Sewall Woods, Stantec will use a combination of techniques to treat Asiatic bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculata), including foliar, broadcast applications with a backpack sprayer, targeted spot spraying with either a backpack sprayer or hand-held squirt bottle, and the “cut-and-paint” method where vines are cut at ground level and a small amount of herbicide is applied to the cut stump.

Materials

Stantec will primarily utilize Rodeo herbicide for the herbicide application at the sites.  Rodeo is a glyphosate formulation that is approved by the State of Maine for use in aquatic environments.  Glyphosate is a non-selective, systemic herbicide that is readily adsorbed to soil particles, which prevents it from excessive leaching or from being taken up from the soil by non-target species.  An aquatic-approved surfactant will also be added to the tank mixture to improve plant uptake of the herbicide.  Stantec will use an aquatic approved herbicide for the majority of the applications because some of the sites are located near wetlands; however, no applications will occur directly in wetlands.  State of Maine pesticide regulations do not permit broadcast spraying immediately adjacent to or within wetlands.  However, individual plant treatments are permitted up to the edge of a wetland and in wetlands that do not contain standing water.  See the attached fact sheet created by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection regarding herbicide use in wetlands.  Despite the fact that no herbicide applications will be occurring in wetlands, Stantec will use an aquatic approved herbicide in order to reduce the potential for any drift or runoff to wetland areas.

Safety

Stantec will post notification signs prior to initiating any herbicide applications on the project sites describing the date and time of application, re-entry precautions, and the name and phone number of the proper contact person.  Signs will remain in place for a period of 2 days.  As stated on the Rodeo herbicide label, the re-entry interval, the period before which people should not enter a treated area, is 4 hours.  This 4-hour re-entry restriction is most applicable for foliar, broadcast applications.  For “cut-and-paint” applications, re-entry precautions are generally limited to the time period before the material dries.  These precautions generally apply to those who will be working immediately in the vicinity of the treated areas.  For those using the preserves after the application, there is essentially no risk of exposure to the herbicides, even immediately following application, if users remain on the marked trails.

The work is funded by two federal sources: USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) Grant for Habitat Improvement and US Fish and Wildlife Service, Partners Grant.

Anticipated 2011 Schedule

Weber Kelly:  7/18, 7/19

Sewall Woods: 7/20, 7/21, 7/23

Merrymeeting Fields: 7/23 or 7/24

For more information: Maine DEP Herbicide Guidance Fact Sheet