314–Brush Management

Implementation Requirements

Owner: ProjectorContract: Operator: County: Farm & Tract Number: Field Number/Location:

Practice Location Map

(Attach copy showing detailed aerial view of where practice is to be installed on farm/site, showing all major components, stationing, relative location to any landmarks and survey benchmarks, include legal description. Also include on map any water resources within or near the treatment area, roads, and powerlines).

Provide documentation of permits (federal, state, tribal, local, etc.) as applicable.

Benchmark Condition

(Describe current condition of treatment area and document benchmark results of all applicable assessment tools. Include ecological site description(s), current % canopy cover of brush species to be controlled and % cover of species expected to benefit from treatment). Identify supporting documentation in case file such as: photos, practice location and treatment area maps, soils map & information, Ecological Site Descriptions or Forage Suitability Groups, Pasture Condition Score, Rangeland Health Assessment, Similarity Index, inventory data, range trend,etc. , include acres of planned treatment area. Include pre-treatment grazing management.

The Practice Purpose(s):

☐Create the desired plant community consistent with the ecological site or a desired state within the site description.

☐Restore or release desired vegetative cover to protect soils, control erosion, reduce sediment, improve water quality, or enhance hydrology.

☐Maintain, modify, or enhance fish and wildlife habitat.

☐Improve forage accessibility, quality, and quantity for livestock and wildlife.

☐Manage fuel loads to achieve desired conditions.

☐Pervasive plant species are controlled to a desired level of treatment that will ultimately contribute to creation or maintenance of an ecological site description “steady state” addressing the need for forage, wildlife habitat, and/or water quality.

Resource Concerns:

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Desired Condition (Goals and Objectives)

(Include desired future species composition and/or % canopy (or foliar) cover of desired species. Include % canopy cover, or height, of brush species to be controlled. If applicable identify desired steady state.)

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SPECIFICATIONS

General Specifications – Brush management activities shall comply with the following items based on purpose(s), and applicable techniques for controlling undesirable woody plants.

  1. All activities associated with this practice shall comply with state, local and tribal laws and regulations prior to commencing an activity.
  2. The equipment and tools used in brush management, and the timing of application must be consistent with soil and site conditions for avoiding excessive compaction or damage to the soil surface layer.
  3. For safety purposes ground-based heavy equipment are generally not applied on slopes exceeding 30 percent.
  4. Operator may use mechanical, chemical or biological methods either alone or in combination to achieve the desired results.
  5. Follow up treatments may be necessary.
  6. All herbicides will be applied with the manufacturer’s label. NRCS shall evaluate herbicide risks. For aerial application wind speeds shall not exceed seven (7) miles per hour.

Description of Work

Briefly describe project, include species to control (target species), method of treatment (mechanical, chemical, biological) areas to be treated, and areas left untreated, pattern of treatment, level/intensity of treatment (use treatments section below for details).

Treatment Objectives

Before Treatment
Species % cover
(brush spp. and desired spp.) / Treatment
(e.g. mowing, herbicide application, etc.) / Planned Treatment Date
and/or brush growth stage / Planned
After Treatment
Species % cover

In conjunction with other conservation practices,if soil loss is a concern, the number, sequence, and timing of soil-disturbing operation must be managed to maintain soil loss with acceptable levels using approved erosion prediction technology.

Treatments

Check all that apply. Use the drop down arrow next to each of the following headings (hover just left of the heading word) to fill out each applicable sections.

NRCS will not develop biological or chemical treatment recommendations except for biological control utilizing grazing animals. CPS Prescribed Grazing (Code 528) is used to ensure desired results are achieved and maintained.

Chemical☐

  • Acceptable chemical treatment references for containment and management of target species.

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  • Documented techniques to be used, acceptable dates or plant growth stage at application to best effect control and reduce reinvasion.

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  • Evaluation and interpretation of herbicide risks associated with the selected treatment(s) using WinPST.
  • Any special mitigation, timing considerations or other factors (such as soil texture and organic matter content) that must be considered to ensure the safest, most effective application of the herbicide.
  • Reference to product label instructions.

Biological☐

  • Acceptable biological treatment references for the selected biological agent used to contain and manage the target species.

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  • Kind of grazing animal to be used, if applicable.
  • Timing, frequency, duration, and intensity of grazing or browsing.
  • Desired degree of grazing or browsing use for effective management of target species

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  • Maximum allowable degree of use on desirable non-target species.
  • Special mitigation, precautions, or requirements associated with the selected treatment(s).

Mechanical☐

  • Type of equipment and any modifications necessary to enable the equipment to adequately complete the job.

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  • Dates of treatment to best effect control.
  • Operating instructions (if applicable).
  • Techniques and procedures to be followed.
  • Special mitigation, precautions, or requirements associated with the selected treatment(s).

Post-treatment Management/Grazing

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Monitoring Plan

Identify what shall be measured (including timing and frequency) and how it should be measured, and the changes in the plant community (compare with objectives) that were achieved.

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Species / Method
(How was it measured, e.g.visual, line intercept?) / Date of Monitoring / Plant Density, %Cover of Target Brush Species and Desired Species

Associated Practices

(List the associated practice(s) that are part of this conservation system)

Operation

BrushManagement practices shall be applied using approved materials and procedures. Operations will comply with all local, State, and Federal laws and ordinances.

The operator will develop a safety plan for individuals exposed to chemicals, including telephone numbers and addresses of emergency treatment centers and the telephone number for the nearest poison control center. The National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) telephone number in Corvallis, Oregon, may also be given for nonemergency information: 1-800-858-7384, Monday to Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Pacific Time. The national Chemical Transportation Emergency Center (CHEMTRAC) telephone number is: 1-800-424-9300.

  • Follow label requirements for mixing/loading setbacks from wells, intermittent streams and rivers, natural or impounded ponds and lakes, and reservoirs.
  • Post signs, according to label directions and/or Federal, State, Tribal, and local laws, around fields that have been treated. Follow restricted entry intervals.
  • Dispose of herbicide and herbicide containers in accordance with label directions and adhere to Federal, State, Tribal, and local regulations.
  • Read and follow label directions and maintain appropriate Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). MSDS and herbicide labels may be accessed on the Internet at:
  • Calibrate application equipment according to recommendations before each seasonal use and with each major chemical and site change.
  • Replace worn nozzle tips, cracked hoses, and faulty gauges on spray equipment.
  • Maintain records of plant management for at least 2 years. Herbicide application records shall be in accordance with USDA Agricultural Marketing Service’s Pesticide Recordkeeping Program and State-specific requirements.

Maintenance

Success of the practice shall be determined by evaluating post-treatment regrowth of target species after sufficient time has passed to monitor the situation and gather reliable data. Length of evaluation periods will depend on the woody species being monitored, proximity of propagules (seeds, branches, and roots) to the site, transport mode of seeds (wind or animals), and methods and materials used.

Following initial application, some regrowth, resprouting, or reoccurrence of brush may be expected. Spot treatment of individual plants or areas needing retreatment should be completed as needed while woody vegetation is small and most vulnerable to desired treatment procedures.

Review and update the plan periodically to: incorporate new IPM technology, respond to grazing management and complex plant population changes, and avoid the development of weed resistance to herbicide chemicals.

Client’s Acknowledgement(signed after Implementation Requirements are completed but before practice installation):

By Signing below, I acknowledge that:

  • I have reviewed & understand the specifications, operation & maintenance requirements for this practice.
  • I will install, operate and maintain this conservation practice in accordance to these specifications
  • I will make no changes to the planned design and implementation without prior written approval from the Natural Resource Conservation Service
  • I will obtain all necessary permits prior to the start of installation of this conservation practice
  • I will also comply with all ordinances and laws pertaining to the installation of this conservation practice
  • I assume responsibility for notifying all Utilities affected by the installation, operation and maintenance of this conservation practice

Client’s Signature Date:

NRCS Design Review Only

DesignedBy: / JAA Level : / Date:
If designer does not have appropriate JAA then design needs to be approved and signed by someone with adequate JAA for the 314 practice scope of work.
ApprovedBy: / JAA Level : / Date:

Practice Installation and Certification(sign after practice completion and check out)

By signing below, I certify that:

☐I have the required Job Approval Authority for this conservation practice installed.

☐This practice has been installed according to the implementation Requirements listed above.

☐Any modifications are documented and were pre-approved by NRCS.

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☐Operation and Maintenance Plan was reviewed with operator.

☐Any appropriate photo documentation is attached.

☐Any applicable site evaluation worksheets are included.

NRCS Installation and Certification Only

Inspected and CertifiedBy: / JAA Level : / Date:
If the inspection and certifier does not have appropriate JAA then certification needs to be approved and signed by someone with adequate JAA for the 314 practice scope of work.
ApprovedBy: / JAA Level : / Date:

October 2017WA NRCS Page 1 of 7