Colorado Noxious Weed List

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Sophia McDonald
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1 NOXIOUS WEEDS. Colorado Noxious Weed List The State of Colorado list of plant species that are designated as noxious weeds shall be designated by rule and shall be managed under the provisions of the Colorado Noxious Weed Act (C.R.S ). The designated noxious weed list in the State of Colorado is broken down into three categories: List A species. List A species are rare noxious weeds that are subject to eradication wherever detected statewide in order to protect neighboring lands and the State as a whole. List A species as of this report include: African rue (Peganum harmala) Camelthorn (Alhagi pseudalhagi) Common crupina (Crupina vulgaris) Cypress spurge (Euphorbia cyparissias) Dyer's woad (Isatis tinctoria) Giant salvinia (Salvinia molesta) Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) Meadow knapweed (Centaurea pratensis) Mediterranean sage (Salvia aethiopis) Medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae) Myrtle spurge (Euphorbia myrsinites) Orange hawkweed (Hieracium aurantiacum) Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) Rush skeletonweed (Chondrilla juncea) Sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) Squarrose knapweed (Centaurea virgata) Tansy ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) Yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis)

2 List B species. List B species are those with discrete statewide distributions that are subject to eradication, containment, or suppression in portions of the State designated by the commissioner in order to stop the continued spread of these species. List B species as of this report include: Absinth wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) Black henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) Bouncingbet (Saponaria officinalis) Bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare) Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) Chinese clematis (Clematis orientalis) Common tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) Common teasel (Dipsacus fullonum) Corn chamomile (Anthemis arvensis) Cutleaf teasel (Dipsacus laciniatus) Dalmatian toadflax, broad-leaved (Linaria dalmatica) Dalmatian toadflax, narrow-leaved (Linaria genistifolia) Dame's rocket (Hesperis matronalis) Diffuse knapweed (Centaurea diffusa) Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) Hoary cress (Cardaria draba) Houndstongue (Cynoglossum officinale) Leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) Mayweed chamomile (Anthemis cotula) Moth mullein (Verbascum blattaria) Musk thistle (Carduus nutans) Oxeye daisy (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum) Perennial pepperweed (Lepidium latifolium) Plumeless thistle (Carduus acanthoides) Quackgrass (Elytrigia repens) Redstem filaree (Erodium cicutarium) Russian knapweed (Acroptilon repens) Russian-olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) Salt cedar (Tamarix chinensis, T.parviflora, and T. ramosissima) Scentless chamomile (Matricaria perforata) Scotch thistle (Onopordum acanthium) Scotch thistle (Onopordum tauricum) Spotted knapweed (Centaurea maculosa) Spurred anoda (Anoda cristata) Sulfur cinquefoil (Potentilla recta) Venice mallow (Hibiscus trionum)

3 Wild caraway (Carum carvi) Yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus) Yellow toadflax (Linaria vulgaris) List C species. List C species are those that are widespread and well established for which control is recommended but not required by the State, although local governing bodies may require management. List C species as of this report include: Chicory (Cichorium intybus) Common burdock (Arctium minus) Common mullein (Verbascum thapsus) Common St. Johnswort (Hypericum perforatum) Downy brome (Bromus tectorum) Field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) Halogeton (Halogeton glomeratus) Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) Jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica) Perennial sowthistle (Sonchus arvensis) Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) Puncturevine (Tribulus terrestris) Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti) Wild proso millet (Panicum miliaceum) Weed Species Present: Findings: Eight species of noxious weeds, Houndstongue (Cynoglossum officinale), Diffuse Knapweed (Centaurea diffusa), Russian Knapweed (Acroptilon repens), Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia esula), Yellow Toadflax (Linaria vulgaris), Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), Scotch Thistle (Onopordum tauricum) and Musk Thistle (Carduus nutans) are known to inhabit Huerfano County. All of these weeds are listed on the "B" list of noxious weeds for Colorado. FreedomWorks will walk the site with Huerfano County Weed Management Officer Mr. Darryl Crawford to determine presence of noxious weeds at project site. FreedomWorks shall use best management practices to control noxious weeds during the Huerfano County Conditional Use Permit #08-38 period.

4 Integrated Weed Management Work Plan Goals and Objectives of the FreedomWorks Weed Management Plan A. Develop and implement a comprehensive noxious weed management program. B. Work with government agencies and departments to institute "Best Management Practices" and/or policies that stress prevention as a weed management tool. C. Use integrated management techniques. D. Establish and maintain healthy plants with native or beneficial vegetation. E. Stop the spread of noxious weeds to un-infested lands. F. Contain heavily weed-infested areas. Management Goals for Weed Species Management goals will vary from species to species, by location, and over time. For some species, such as yellow starthistle, complete eradication of existing infestations and total suppression of newly identified infestations is feasible and appropriate. Containment of existing intentional plantings, exclusion of seed from new wild land or open space mixes, and elimination of targeted escaped infestations are three different management goals for certain ornamentals such as oxeye daisy. Russian knapweed, saltcedar and Russian olive infestations are so widespread that they must be managed, in many cases, merely for containment and reduction in the rate of spread. Eradication of these stands may only be viewed as impossible in some instances, or as a long-range objective. In all cases, re-vegetation, either from the existing seed bank or through supplemental planting, must be included as a management goal. Without revegetation, disturbed or denuded soils invite adventitious weed infestation. Re-vegetation and Rehabilitation: A crucial part of any weed management plan is the reintroduction of site appropriate vegetation. Establishing a desirable plant community after noxious weeds have been removed from a highly infested area requires timely cultivation and reseeding. Since the seeds from noxious weeds may lay dormant for many years, removing all visible signs of the noxious weeds does not ensure against their return. Re-vegetation can help prevent the germination of weed seeds. It is important to inspect the land regularly to identify and treat small, new infestations. For proper reclamation, managed irrigation of dry areas, fertilization, and reseeding are essential to establish desirable plant communities. Native plants are most appropriate when the goal is restoration (trying to restore native habitat). Weed-free seeds of native Colorado grasses, wildflowers or plant species appropriate to the site may be purchased, but the best source for seeds is from native species that grow in the immediate vicinity of the infestation. They will be best adapted to local

5 conditions and will help maintain local integrity and genetic viability. Using native plants or seeds to reclaim disturbed land reduces degradation of native ecosystems, reduces the need for herbicides and conserves water resources. Native plants will provide a broad biological diversity and help keep Colorado looking like Colorado with a unique regional landscape that sets us apart from other areas of the country. When the goal is reclamation (reseeding for quick ground cover establishment or erosion control), it may be appropriate to use introduced, non-aggressive grasses and fortis. FreedomWorks shall contact the Huerfano County Weed Board, Natural Resources Conservation Service or Colorado State University Cooperative Extension for seeding recommendations. The Native Plant Re-vegetation Guide for Colorado, published by the Colorado State Parks Natural Areas Program, is an excellent guide for native plant reseeding. Strategies: Study all vegetation in the area and surrounding areas. Preserve plant species native to Colorado. Test the soil for ph balance. Try to retain and utilize as much on-site topsoil as possible. Select a predominant species that is appropriate to the site. Then choose a few complimentary species to provide a balanced plant community. Choose plants that are healthy, vigorous and pest free. Use weed-free seeds. Use non-hybrid seeds. Avoid commercial seed packets containing exotic plant species. Choose plants that are horticultural appropriate, i.e. plant species that are adaptable to climate, soil and topographical conditions of the designated area. Consider the use of water, its availability and the vegetative requirements. To landscape for wildlife, choose native plants that provide cover, forage, browse, seeds and shade for birds and rodents. Be site-specific; re-vegetation strategies may vary for small lots, farms, ranches or construction sites. Establish a vegetative cover that is diverse, effective and long lasting, capable of selfregeneration. Stabilize the surface. Recommendations and Commitments: The degree of infestation by noxious weeds in the project area is relatively light and manageable through integrated weed management, which includes prevention of additional infestations during construction. Prevention measures will include cleaning equipment before entering the construction site to prevent the spread of seeds or roots by wind, water, or accidental transport on construction vehicles. Strict topsoil management in the project area is important to prevent further infestation. No topsoil will be imported to the project site. Noxious weed management and monitoring in the project area coincidental with land

6 clearing and impacts associated with Met tower installation will greatly enhance the existing conditions associated with the area. Reseeding efforts (with native species) will be phased throughout construction. FreedomWorks best management practices (BMPs) will be used for reclamation and revegetation. FreedomWorks will reclaim areas disturbed for construction, staging, and storage activities. BMPs will include the following: Equipment will be cleaned before entering the construction site to prevent weed spread by wind, water, or accidental transport on construction vehicles. Strict topsoil management in the project area is important to prevent further infestation. No topsoil will be imported to the project site. Topsoil will be removed from site if it is heavily infested with noxious weeds. In accordance with the Colorado Weed-Forage Certification Act, mulches or erosion bales used for erosion control purposes will be certified weed-free. All seed mixes, soil, and nursery material used for reclamation will be free of noxious weed seeds, roots, and rhizomes. The project area will be surveyed for noxious weeds during design and throughout the construction phase to identify and treat weeds. Reseeding efforts will consist of native grasses and fortis. Seeding should be phased throughout construction. No fertilizer will be used on site. Herbicides shall be applied by use of wicks or sponges to avoid off-target injury. Broadcast herbicide spraying will be approved only through written consent of the Huerfano County Weed Supervisor. All herbicides will be applied in accordance to label instructions. In addition, only herbicides rated to be used in water will be used where wetlands, water of the US, and groundwater table are present.

7 Fact Sheets:

32 References: Beck, K.G Natural Resources Online Fact Sheets. No Range and Pasture Weed Management. Colorado State University Cooperative Extension. Accessed September 25, CNAP Creating an Integrated Weed Management Plan: A Handbook for Owners and Managers of Lands with Natural Values. Colorado Natural Areas Program, Colorado State Parks, Colorado Department of Natural Resources; and Division of Plant Industry, Colorado Department of Agriculture. Denver, Colorado. 349 pages. Whitson, T.D. (Ed.) et al., Weeds of the West. Western Society of Weed Science in cooperation with Cooperative Extension Services, University of Wyoming. Larimer, Wyoming. 360 pages. Government & Other Organizations Colorado Department of Agriculture Kelly Uhing, State Weed Coordinator 700 Kipling St., Suite 4000 Lakewood, CO (303) Huerfano County Noxious Weed Management Program Jim Conley, County Weed Supervisor 928 Russell Avenue Walsenburg, CO (719) Colorado Department of Ag. Insectary P.O. Box 400 Palisade, CO (970) Colorado State University Scott Nissen, Extension Weed Science Specialist 115 Weed Research Lab 1179 Campus delivery Ft. Collins CO (970)

33 Internet Website: Colorado Weed Management Association BOOKS Weeds of the West University of Wyoming Bulletin Room (307) Colorado Flora. Western Slope William Weber and Ronald Wittman. Available in most bookstores Native Plant Revegetation Guide for Colorado Colorado Natural Areas Program Trees and Shrubs of Colorado Jack Carter Available in most bookstores Troublesome Weeds of the Rock y Mountain West Colorado Weed Management Assoc. (303) Biology and Management of Noxious Rangeland Weeds University of Arizona Press 1230 N. Park Ave. Suite 102 Tucson, AZ

LIST A OF THE COLORADO NOXIOUS WEEDS - ERADICATION REQUIRED - IN DOUGLAS CO PRIORITY

LIST A OF THE COLORADO NOXIOUS WEEDS - ERADICATION REQUIRED - IN DOUGLAS CO PRIORITY DOUGLAS COUNTY NOXIOUS WEED MANAGEMENT PLAN I. Introduction A. Why the plan is being written 1. Compliance with the Colorado Noxious Weed Act B. Goal Implementation of the law, Public education, Public