Weed Awareness for Reclamation Goal of WAR: • Educate to prevent the introduction and spread of weeds on reclamation sites Participants to Date • Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development • Alberta Environment • Alberta Sustainable Resource Development • Alberta Transportation • Agriculture Service Board • Oil and Gas Industry • Special Areas Board Why are we concerned? • Weeds are one of the most common stakeholder complaints • Economic impact of weed control Canada thistle Why are we concerned (cont’d.) • Refusal of reclamation certificates • Weeds invading natural landscapes • Weeds interfering with end land uses Scentless Chamomile What is a weed? • Listed in the regulations of Alberta’s Weed Control Act • Restricted weeds (7 species): must be eliminated • Noxious weeds (23 species): must be controlled if a weed notice is issued • Nuisance weeds (37species): must prevent the spread or scattering of these plants Weed Control Act: Section 31 Weed control is a legal responsibility The owner or the occupant of land will as often as necessary: – Destroy restricted weeds – Control noxious weeds – Prevent the spread of nuisance weeds Spotted Knapweed Weed Control Act: Section 34 and 35 • No person shall deposit or permit to be deposited weed seeds or material containing weed seeds in a place where they might grow or spread • No person shall move a machine or vehicle if the movement is likely to cause the spread of a restricted, noxious or nuisance weed Liability of Operators • Operators or lease holders are the “occupants” as defined in the Weed Control Act • Occupants are liable What is a problem plant? • Problem plants may not be designated under the Weed Control Act • Introduced forages like crested wheat grass, smooth brome and timothy can be desirable in one area but problem invaders in some natural landscapes • Whether a plant becomes a problem depends on the plant’s habits and the climate and soils in the area Weed Awareness Can Save $$$ • Every year industry spends millions of dollars on weed control • Simple precautions taken up front during planning, construction and reclamation activities can save big bucks • Preventing weeds from being introduced is more cost effective than trying to control them after they’re established Example • A pipeline company purchased straw for crimping wellsites in southern Alberta • Downy brome (a noxious weed in some municipalities) was in the straw • The cost to the company was $33,000/ha to minimize new seed production and $1100/ha in ongoing maintenance Planning to Avoid Weeds • Companies should communicate with: – The landowner and/or occupant – The weed inspector and reclamation inspector for the area Toadflax Questions for the Company to Answer through Interview and Pre-Site Assessment • What is the weed history on the site and surrounding area? • What weeds have been treated in last three years? • Are neighbour’s weeds a concern? • What weeds are of concern in the area? Questions to Ask During Planning Phase • What is the current land use? • Are special crops being produced (e.g., certified, organic)? • Are herbicides allowed? Questions for Landowners and Occupants to Ask • Who is my contact if a problem arises? • How will equipment be cleaned? • Does the company have an active weed control program? • Will you notify me if there is a change in location/route? • Will I get a copy of the weed analysis certificates? Communication with Agricultural Fieldmen/Public Land Managers • What weeds have been documented in the area? • What new weeds are a concern? • What control methods have been successfully used? • Has the landowner effectively controlled weeds? • What problems have other companies had? Assistance for Landowners and Occupants • • • • Farmer’s Advocate Surface Rights groups Agriculture Fieldmen Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development • Local Reclamation Inspectors • Public Lands, Alberta Sustainable Resource Development Pre-Activity Weed Survey • The operator should conduct an onsite inspection for all listed weeds (including those of concern in particular municipalities) prior to commencing an activity; the landowner/occupant should sign the audit • Copies of the weed pre-site inspection should go to the municipality or to Alberta Sustainable Resource Development (public land) Pre-Activity Weed Survey: Why do it? • Important documentation when conflicts arise (e.g., what was brought in vs. what was already there) • A benchmark for companies conducting activity • Important step in identifying sources of weeds (e.g., what might companies be bringing to the next site?) Weed Survey: Why do it? • Offsite concerns become evident • Updates during the life of operations can save $$$ (especially on long term projects where third party impacts are likely) Blueweed Weed Survey Methodology: • Survey for any weeds listed as noxious or restricted in Alberta’s Weed Control Act • Also obtain a list of problem species from the MD or County being surveyed (talk to the Agricultural Fieldman) Leafy spurge Methodology: Effectiveness • Use qualified personnel to do the survey (hire an appropriate environmental contractor if necessary) • Survey when most plants are in bloom and are easily recognized • Use the AFRD Weed Seedling Guide to recognize early stages • Report findings in a timely manner to Agriculture Fieldman or MD/County office Weed Survey Info Sheet What to Record • Note what weeds are present, where they are, the growth stage they are at, type and timing of control action taken (if herbicide is used, record the type and amount) Young Scentless Chamomile (pre-flowering) Weed Seeds in the Seed You Buy • Canada No. 1 or certified seed only guarantees the variety (genetic) purity but NOT that the seed is weed free • Common seed CAN be cleaner than certified seed • The ONLY way to ensure that weeds/problem plants are not present is to get a Seed Analysis Certificate and keep it on file (due diligence) Example: Scentless Chamomile in Canada No. 1 Alfalfa • Canada Seeds Act allows 5 Scentless Chamomile (noxious weed) seeds per 25 grams of seed (Canada No. 1) • Seeding at 10 Lb/acre = 900 scentless chamomile seeds/acre • Checking the seed certificate can prevent this from happening Seed Analysis (SA) Certificate • ASK for a Seed Analysis certificate for each seed lot and review them before you buy; refuse unsuitable seed lots • The person purchasing seed needs to know what to look for (use qualified personnel) • It’s not always possible to buy a completely weed free seed lot but you can purchase one that doesn’t contain weeds or plants of concern This SA certificate for a lot of native June grass shows a potential problem agronomic plant (Kentucky bluegrass) under “Other Crop Species” and one weed of concern (Rat’s-tail fescue) under “Other Weed Seeds”. This seed lot should be refused for planting in a native prairie environment. It should be noted that in the current SA reporting system, other native species in the seed lot are recorded in the “Other Weed Seeds” column. Example: A Preventable Problem • 1978, 14 miles of seismic line seeded in the M.D. of Greenview • A “Forestry mix” was used (Scentless Chamomile was an impurity) • One landowner seeded his own ½ mile with a different mix. His land stayed clean; everyone else is still picking and spraying Scentless Chamomile Lesson: ASK for a Certificate of Seed Analysis before purchasing seed! Clean Equipment and Materials • All equipment and materials must be properly pressure cleaned when moving to a new area (check with municipalities about weeds of concern) • Pay attention to less accessible areas (e.g., tracks, belly pans, lugs) • Clean in a visible area so that the weeds that come up can be easily controlled; record location Wash Station Storage Areas • Ensure that equipment and materials (e.g., pipes) are coming from clean storage areas (talk to suppliers and contractors) Soil Movement • Proper soil conservation eliminates need to haul topsoil; keep soils as close to the original location as possible • Do not import topsoil with weeds (note: fence line and ditch soils should be carefully inspected for weeds before use) Canada thistle problem following storage of weedy soil on cultivated land Amendments • If suitable topsoil is unavailable, the soil quality on the site can be improved by using appropriate weed free amendments and cropping practices (e.g. Certified Weed free compost and green manure) Annual Crops vs. Crimping • Using a clean annual crop is a safer choice than crimping straw for weed and erosion control • Use material from the same landowner if possible or get him to recommend a source Straw Crimping (cont’d) • Check fields that the straw is coming from; on large projects contract the straw production with a reputable grower • Straw can sometimes be obtained from a certified annual cereal crop grower • On public land, clear sources with appropriate regulatory personnel Maintenance: Soil Stockpiles • All stockpiles with maintenance needs should have side slopes no steeper than 4:1 • Revegetate with species that provide erosion control and are competitive with weeds Maintenance: Staging Areas • Remove small mounds of gravel, soil or debris that can impede maintenance such as mowing or spraying • Level or backblade areas before moving equipment away from the location Maintenance: Brush and Wood • Dispose of brush piles, wood piles as soon as possible to eliminate a place for weeds to germinate Maintenance: Regular Inspections/Control • Inspect operational areas twice during the growing season (spring and late summer), for noxious weeds and other unwanted vegetation • Weed control must be done in a timely manner • Avoid the overuse of residual herbicides on industrial facilities. These products accumulate in the soil and can prevent the growth of desirable vegetation Maintenance: Inspections/Control • Make sure that inspection personnel have the authority to deal with weeds immediately • Appropriate control measures to be used by qualified personnel Special Precautions for Native Stands • The use of broad spectrum herbicides can damage native wildflowers • Mowing or spot spraying are the preferred control methods in areas revegetated with native species • Care must be taken not to mow stands too low (<15 cm) to avoid damage to native plants Natural Recovery (No Seed) Areas • Only use this approach where weed invasion potential is low • Annual weeds usually disappear in a few years and can be mowed if very competitive References • Crop Protection ( Blue Book, annual publication, AFRD), Alberta Agriculture, AGDEX 606 - 1. • Native Plant Revegetation Guidelines for Alberta, H. Sinton (ed.). Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development and Alberta Environment. • Practical Crop Protection ( Green Book ), Alberta Agriculture, AGDEX 606 - 3. • Problem Introduced Forages on Prairie and Parkland Reclamation Sites. Conservation and Reclamation Information Letter 01-6. Alberta Environment. References • Weeds of Canada and the Northern United Statesa guide for identification, France Royer and Richard Dickinson. Edmonton: University of Alberta Press; Lone Pine Publishing, 1999. • Weeds of the Prairies , Alberta Agriculture, AGDEX 640-4 • Weeds of the West, Tom D. Whitson. Newark, CA: Western Society of Weed Science in cooperation with the Western United States Land Grant Universities Cooperative Extension Services (and the University of Wyoming), 1996. • Weed Seedling Guide, Alberta Agriculture, AGDEX 640-9 Acknowledgements Thanks to the following people for their assistance with this presentation: Shaffeek Ali John Begg John Bidulock Heather Bishop Norman Boulet Ed Cappis Rola Hogan Helen Newsham Bruce Patterson Chris Powter Mike Schmaltz Heather Sinton Don Snider Mike Undershultz