Ecological Management Action Plans

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EM-16 Reduction of Impacts from Exotic Vegetation

EVALUATION METHODS

• Regulate the introduction of exotic species by legislation.
• Educate the public about impacts from exotic species and discourage the use of invasive exotics in landscaping, aquariums and ponds.
• Develop a noxious plant list for the BTES and the entire state.
• Use integrated pest management strategies, such as mechanical and biological control, for management of exotic species to reduce herbicide use in the basins.

Control efforts require regional cooperation and planning. USDA has a nation-wide Noxious Weed List. Various agencies participate in MOU for federal Native Plant Conservation. USACOE Aquatic Growth Control Unit has had a 50:50 cost share program with states. LDAF enforces seed certification laws. LDWF maintains a noxious aquatic plant list.

The following criteria will be used to determine if plan implementation steps were accomplished:

• Sale of Chinese tallow trees has been banned in Louisiana (LDAF, accomplished within 60 days).
• Legislation that regulates introduction of exotic species has been identified and enforced (USFWS for endangered species protection; USDA and LDAF for terrestrial spaces; LDWF for aquatic spaces. Coordination between agencies should begin within 180 days).
• An education program has been initiated to promote the use of native species by the general public (LCES and USDA; design begins immediately, and distribution occurred in the first year). Components to include:
  • A brochure for home/land owners explaining impacts from exotic species.
  • A list of alternative native species for use in landscaping, aquariums and ponds for home/land owners.
  • Publications for home/land owner use emphasizing the impacts from non-native species and the benefits of natives, such as opportunities to view more bird and butterfly species.
• These educational materials have been distributed.
• A noxious weeds law, supported by BTMC, has been developed for Louisiana making interstate import or transplant of invasive exotic species illegal within the state (development begins immediately).
  • A noxious weed list has been developed (LDWF responsible for compiling list; LDAF lead agency for listing terrestrial species; started with the USDA’s national list, with additional species being added over time).
• Noxious plant control program in Florida has been studied (LDWF begins coordination immediately).
• A contact point where users can report infestations of new exotic weeds and new management techniques has been established (LDWF and USDA; established within the first six months).
• A biocontrol for Salvinia has been developed (USACOE and LDWF; testing of potential controls begins within 1 year).
• Exotic Pest Plant Councils in Florida, California and the Pacific Northwest have been contacted to see if similar activities could work in Louisiana (USFWS, LDWF and NPS; accomplished within first 2 years).
• Species specific information sheets that explain plant biology and least toxic management have been developed for the public (LCES, USDA; distributed during the first three years).
• Hydrilla biocontrol program in Florida has been studied, determination has been made as to whether or not it will work in Louisiana (USACOE, LDWF; accomplished within the first three years).
• Areas of exotic infestation to use for demonstration of successful exotic species removal and native species replanting projects have been designated (USFWS, NRCS, NPS, USACOE, LDWF, LDAF; accomplished during the first five years).
• A second biocontrol organism for water hyacinth has been researched (USACOE, LDWF; ongoing during the first five years).
• A biocontrol for Chinese tallow trees has been studied (USDA, LDAF; ongoing during the first five years).
• Nurseries have been encouraged to grow native species for private landscaping (LDAF; criteria for heritage nursery and designation completed in the first three years).
  • Businesses that grow and sell native plants have been designated as Louisiana Heritage Nurseries.
• Louisiana noxious plant list has been kept updated (LDWF, USDA, LDAF; updated at least annually).
• As part of education and interpretation, USFWS, NPS, and state parks have used exotic species programs, including tree pulling and replanting with native species, to inform the public, school and scout groups about impacts from exotic species (USFWS, NPS; ongoing).

The following criteria will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the Action Plan in reducing the proliferation of exotic plant species. Specific criteria may vary depending upon the characteristics of individual projects.

• Reduction in coverage of water hyancinth (Eichornia crassipes) in BTES waterways.
• Reduction in coverage of water spangle (Salvinia minima) in BTES waterways.
• Reduction in coverage of Eurasian water milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) in BT waterways.
• Reduction in coverage of hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) in BTES waterways.
• Reduction in coverage of alligator weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides) in BTES waterways.
• Reduction in coverage of Chinese tallow tree (Sapium sebiferum) on BTES uplands and levees.

Plan Implementation - The activities of the various agencies outlined above in implementing the plan in accordance with the above criteria will be monitored by an independent Third Party.

Project Effectiveness - Any reduction in proliferation of the target exotic species will be assessed using the following measurements:

• Species composition of floating and SAV.
• Frequency of occurence of water hyancinth, water spangle, Eurasian milfoil, hydrilla and alligator weed in sampled water bodies.
• Species composition of woodlands.
• Frequency of occurence of Chinese tallow tree in woodlands.

Plan Implementation - The criteria for plan implementation will be assessed by an independent Third Party who will contact the various agencies described in implementation steps, and document 1) whether the criteria have been met, and 2) the time frame for completion of the implementation step.

Species Composition - For SAV, species composition can be obtained by transect sampling (USEPA, 1993) using an airboat-rake method (Chabreck and Hoffpauir, 1962) to collect the samples. Similar procedures can be adopted for floating vegetation. For trees, the belt transect method (CCRS, 1995) should be used with a belt width of 10 m. Trees will be defined as over 3 m in height and 4 cm or greater in diameter. Species composition will be recorded.

Frequency of Occurrence of Exotic Vegetation - The frequency of occurrence of individual exotic species should be recorded during the transect sampling for the vegetation types described above. In addition, aerial imagery may be used to identify the presence of some floating vegetation, especially water hyancinth, and possibly for tallow trees which show distinctive coloration in fall.

Plan Implementation - There are no relevant sampling design or statistical analyses for the evaluation of plan implementation.

Project Effectiveness - It is impossible to select a suitable reference area for this monitoring as the actions should impact the entire BTES. In this case, pre-project monitoring or baseline monitoring (Steyer et al., 1995) should be adopted as an alternative. Data collection should be completed within a one month period during the period of peak vegetative biomass (e.g., August-September). Data collection should then proceed on an annual basis and trend analysis techniques used to identify a reduction or increase in the frequency of occurence of exotic species. Standard linear regression models can be used to detect trends once sufficient annual data points have been obtained (fifteen years is considered the minimum for such trend analysis by Rabalais et al., 1995). Models having probability values of > 0.05 should be rejected, allowing determination of a trend significantly different from zero (i.e., change through time as opposed to no change through time).

The number of habitats to be included in the monitoring (e.g., whether monitoring is conducted for all exotic SAVs, or just individual species), and heterogeneity of those habitats determine the number of samples which need to be taken and the validity of the statistical analyses. It is recommended that sampling of water bodies include those of both natural (i.e., shallow ponds, lakes, bayous and bays) and anthropogenic origin (i.e., pipeline canals, navigation canals, drainage ditches). Given the large area to be assessed by monitoring, it is recommended that an independent Third Party monitor utilize citizens or volunteers in the monitoring efforts. The procedures for involving citizens or volunteers in vegetative monitoring efforts are described in USEPA (1993) and CCRS (1995).

Plan Implementation - The cost estimate is based upon attendance at approximately 2 BTMC meeting per year, contacting implementing agencies, assesment of agency products and appropriate reporting. The level of effort is estimated at 160 person-hours and costs including salary, fringe benefits, overhead and associated expenses are approximately $8,000.

Project Effectiveness - Given the large area to be assessed by monitoring, it is recommended that an independent Third Party monitor utilize citizens or volunteers in the monitoring efforts. The procedures for involving citizen’s or volunteers in vegetative monitoring efforts are described in USEPA (1993) and CCRS (1995). Consequently, costs have been estimated based upon the time of a professional monitor conducting oversight and training of volunteers, and supplies and some expenses (e.g., boat fuel) for the volunteers. The estimated costs for annual surveys of a sample of BTES water bodies and woodlands is $25,000. It is not recommneded that aerial surveys be conducted specifically for the purpose of monitoring this project. However, aerial photography of the coastal zone is conducted by state and federal agencies for other purposes and NBS habitat mapping of the coastal zone has recently been completed at approximately 5 year intervals. These sources should be reviewed, as availability permits, by the monitor. The level of effort is estimated at 40 person-hours and costs including salary, fringe benefits, overhead and associated expenses are approximately $2,000.

Monitoring of plan implementation will be undertaken by an independent Third Party who will prepare semi-annual reports describing actions of the BTMC and the implementing agencies (as identified in the effectiveness criteria) in relation to exotic vegetation reduction projects. Evaluation of monitoring reports concerning project effectiveness will be overseen by qualified individuals representing organizations independent of any agencies or institutions funding the implementation of the Action Plan, and the use of citizens/volunteers. Semi-annual reports will be prepared. The monitoring reports will be submitted not less than 15 days prior to a regularly scheduled meeting of the BTMC and the parties responsible for monitoring will appear at the scheduled meeting of the BTMC to discuss the report. Monitoring reports concerning project effectiveness will also be provided to the agencies or institutions funding project implementation.

The Quality Assurance Plan involves the following components:

• Clear identification of effectiveness criteria (as outlined above).
• Use of qualified and experienced personnel to collect and report data (to be determined and assessed annually by BTMC).
• Review of monitoring data and reports by BTMC (as outlined above).
• Reporting of significant problems identified during the monitoring period to the BTMC before the next report is due.
• Maintaining a semi-annual schedule for reporting on BTMC and other agency activities (as outlined above).

The Quality Assurance Plan involves the following components:

Data Quality Objectives - For some of the measurable parameters recommended in this monitoring strategy, Table EM16-xxx1 presents these objectives for vegetative parameters as determined by Steyer et al. (1995). Training will be provided to citizens and volunteers participating in the monitoring to ensure these data quality objectives can be achieved. This will consist of a one-day workshop held annually before monitoring begins.

Table EM16-xxx1. Data Quality Objectives for identified measurable parameters (Steyer et al., 1995).

Sample Custody - Collected samples will be in the custody of the citizens/volunteers and/or monitor from collection to sample processing. Sample handling procedures described by USEPA (1993) should be followed by citizen/volunteer monitors.

Data Review, Validation and Verification - The general procedures described by Steyer et al. (1995) and references therein will be followed. Data will be entered into a DIMS compatible database by the monitor responsible for project effectiveness components, and statistical analysis will follow procedures agreed to by the BTMC and the monitor.

Problem Identification - Any significant problems identified during the monitoring period, either with monitoring procedures or project effectiveness, will be reported to the BTMC before the next regularly scheduled report is due.

Reporting - Semi-annual reports will be prepared. The monitoring reports will be submitted not less than 15 days prior to a regularly scheduled meeting of the BTMC and the parties responsible for monitoring will appear at the meeting to discuss the report. Monitoring reports will also be provided to the agencies or institutions funding project implementation.

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