Lost Rivers Coordinated Weed Management Area
Strategic Plan
The purpose of this strategy is to identify, eradicate, contain and/or control non-native invasive plants and noxious weeds on public and private lands within the Lost Rivers Coordinated Weed Management Area. It formalizes a cooperative relationship between agencies, landowners, and other interested individuals and organizations needed for effective management of these plant species as Lost Rivers Coordinated Weed Management Area (LRCWMA.) It includes the development of an integrated management plan to coordinate priorities and actions for identifying, eradicating, containing and/or controlling non-native invasive plants and noxious weeds. It formalizes and defines the land area for these cooperative activities (watersheds of Big and Little Lost Rivers, excluding Birch Creek). It establishes a steering committee for the LRCWMA.
The strategy allows for the future expansion of the LRCWMA to include adjoining lands within neighboring counties and other interested individuals or organizations as may be appropriate to facilitate accomplishment of management goals and objectives. This strategy is consistent with and implements many of the actions identified in the State strategy for noxious weed management (Idaho Department of Agriculture. “Idaho Strategic Plan for Managing Noxious Weeds” Draft 1998). It is consistent with and implements many of the goals and objectives in the national strategy for invasive plant management (Federal Interagency Committee for Management of Invasive Plants.” 2nd edition. 1998. U.S. Government Printing Office).
This strategy is consistent with the intent of Federal and State laws and regulations related to non-native invasive plant and noxious weed management as they apply to local needs and conditions in the LRCWMA. These include the federal Noxious Weed Act of 1974 (PL 93-629)(7 U.S.C. 2801 et. Seq.) as amended by the Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 1990, section 1453 (“Section 15, Management of Undesirable Plants on Federal Lands”); the Carlson-Foley Act (PL 90-583); Idaho Code, title 22, Chapter 1; and Idaho Code, Title 22, Chapter 24.
The LRCWMA is established under the direction and resolution of the Butte and Custer Commissioners. The steering committee for the LRCWMA will function in an advisory capacity to the County Commissioners relative to the management of non-native invasive plants and noxious weeds in the LRCWMA. The LRCWMA is intended to be a grass-roots effort of local land owners, individuals, and land managers pooling their resources and capabilities to protect the natural and economic resources impacted by the spread of non-native invasive plants and noxious weeds.
To protect the native environment from invasion of noxious weeds which cause harm to:
Riparian areas
Bio-Diversity of native plant species
Wildlife
To make citizens conscious of degradation to environment by invasive, non-native weeds and encourage cooperation and coordination within LRCWMA.
Goals
1. Prevent the introduction of new non-native invasive plants and noxious weeds; eradicate new infestations of these species not previously found in the LRCWMA; contain existing infestations with agreed upon boundaries; and control existing populations to reduce impacts to natural, economic and social resources in the LRCWMA.
2. Develop a cooperative management plan which coordinates resources of LRCWMA participants and integrates available tools and technology to achieve goal number 1.
3. Establish a LRCWMA steering committee to develop and implement the management plan and serve in an advisory capacity to the County Commissioners, Idaho Department of Agriculture and Soil Conservation Districts.
4. Educate public and private land managers, private landowners, and the general public, regarding non-native invasive plants and noxious weeds.
5. Promote and implement an integrated management system with consideration for use of all available methods for the prevention, eradication, control and containment of non-native invasive plants and noxious weeds.
6. Exchange information and awareness among LRCWMA participants regarding inventories, management techniques and strategies, and monitoring efforts on the effectiveness of non-native invasive plant and noxious weed management actions.
7. Identify opportunities between LRCWMA participants for the further development of joint or cooperative management projects and other locations where the application of this cooperative approach for managing non-native invasive plants and noxious weeds would be appropriate.
Endorsements and Support
The supporters of this strategy for management of non-native invasive plants and noxious weeds in the LRCWMA agree that working together in a cooperative, coordinated approach will result in the preservation and enhancement of the natural, economic, and social resources of the LRCWMA. The parties supporting this Strategy understand that this is a non-binding statement of consensus and intent that recognizes the respective authorities and policies of County, State, Federal and local governments and non-government private sector interests. They agree that through development of this coordinated and cooperative relationship, they can more effectively achieve the strategy’s goals.
Participants in the LRCWMA agree to:
1. Implement a cooperative, integrated management approach for non-native invasive plants and noxious weeds through education; prevention; detection; and treatments including physical or mechanical methods, the use of biological agents, herbicides, cultural treatments, and other management tools.
2. Implement cooperative weed prevention, control and containment programs among federal, state and local agencies, County Weed Control, land users; landowners, and other interested individuals and organizations.
3. Create an increased level of knowledge, awareness and commitment of the citizens to the management of non-native invasive plants and noxious weeds, and training, sharing of technical expertise, and development of technical and educational materials.
4. Improve communication and understanding between LRCWMA participants related to the management of non-native invasive plants and noxious weeds.
5. Develop effective, cooperative inventories for non-native invasive plants and noxious weeds with the LRCWMA.
6. Promote the philosophy and concept of vegetation management programs that can play a role in preventing the establishment and spread of non-native invasive plants and noxious weeds.
7. Encourage that all equipment, vehicles, animals, forages, etc., brought into the LRCWMA be free of noxious weed seeds.
8. Implement cooperative, coordinated monitoring and review of LRCWMA non-native invasive plants and noxious weed management activities assessing factors such as treatment efficacy, spread, and needed follow-up actions.
9. Where needed, develop formal agreements or contracts between agencies, land users, landowners and other interested groups and individuals in the LRCWMA which facilitate the management of non-native invasive plants and noxious weeds.
10. As needed, review and modify this strategy, participants and area involved in the LRCWMA as appropriate to achieve effective management of non-native invasive plants and noxious weeds.
This instrument is neither a fiscal nor a funds obligation document. Any endeavor involving reimbursement or contribution of funds among the parties to this instrument will be handled in accordance with applicable laws, regulations and procedures, including those for Government procurement and printing. Such endeavors will be outlined in separate agreements that shall be made in writing by representatives of the parties and shall be independently authorized by appropriate statutory authority. This instrument does not provide such authority. Specifically, this instrument does not establish authority for non-competitive award to the cooperator of any contract or other agreement. Any contract or agreement for training or other services must fully comply with all applicable requirements for completion.
Lost Rivers CWMA acknowledges the use of Custer County Coordinated Weed Management Area in this strategic plan.