Herbicide Treatment of Invasive Plants in Hungry Valley, SVRA

Herbicide Treatment of Invasive Plants in Hungry Valley, SVRA

The purpose of the project is to control or eliminate the invasive exotic plants within the boundaries of Hungry Valley SVRA over a five year period. The invasive plants of greatest concern in this area are Dalmatian Toadflax (Linaria dalmatica), Yellow Star Thistle (Centaurea solstitialis), Pampas Grass (Cortaderia selloana), Giant Reed (Arundo donax), Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima), and Russian Thistle (Salsola tragus). All of these exotics are on California's Weed Rating List and pose a significant threat to the habitats at Hungry Valley, SVRA. State Park officials working in conjunction with the Agricultural Commissioners from Los Angeles, Kern, and Ventura Counties and with the advice of the Regional Invasive Plant Advisor from the University of California have determined that herbicide treatment is necessary and appropriate for control of these invasive plants in this habitat. As part of the integrated pest management program at Hungry Valley, mechanical and biological control has been attempted with little success on these species. All herbicide applications will be supervised by a qualified herbicide applicator following all rules and regulations to minimize drift and public exposure. The areas being treated will be closed to public use for the appropriate periods during and following applications (re-entry intervals). All herbicides will be applied in the spring, to the young actively growing target plants using the protocols deemed most effective by the Invasive Plant Advisor. All requirements from the herbicide label will be followed.

Gorman

Ventura