The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About6.f. Petition to Dakota County for Noxious WeedsAGENDA ITEM: Petition to Dakota County for noxious weeds AGENDA SECTION: Consent PREPARED BY: Cindy Dorniden, Public Works Secretaryft,�,� Andrew J. Brotzler, P.E., City Engineer AGENDA NO: I 6 F ITEM d ATTACHMENTS: Resolution, Letter, Fact Sheet on Spotted Knapweed APPROVED BY: RECOMMENDED ACTION: Motion to adopt a resolution petitioning to add Spotted Knapweed to list of prohibited noxious weeds in Dakota County. ACTION: CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: March 1, 2005 BACKGROUND: Assistant Weed Inspector Mark Joosten received a letter from the Dakota County Soil Water Conservation District office, along with a fact sheet and draft resolution, asking for the support of cities within Dakota County to petition to add Spotted Knapweed to a list of prohibited noxious weeds in Dakota County. Infestations have been observed in Eagan, Lakeville and Castle Rock Township. Spotted Knapweed is a very aggressive plant that can take over a site in only a couple years. In order to have this placed on the prohibited noxious weeds list in Dakota County a petition would have to be presented to the Minnesota Commissioner of Agriculture for their review If approved this would only be for Dakota County. The County is requesting the attached resolution in lieu of going to all 42 local government units in Dakota County to sign a petition. These resolutions will act as the petition By approving the resolution Council will be supporting the petition. SUMMARY: Staff is recommending that the City Council adopt the attached resolution petitioning to add Spotted Knapweed to list of prohibited noxious weeds in Dakota County. CITY OF ROSEMOUNT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FOR ACTION ATTEST: CITY OF ROSEMOUNT DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA RESOLUTION 2005 A RESOLUTION PETITIONING TO ADD SPOTTED KNAPWEED TO LIST OF PROHIBITED NOXIOUS WEEDS in DAKOTA COUNTY WHEREAS, spotted knapweed (Centaurea maculosa; C. biebersteinii) is an invasive, non- native species. WHEREAS, this species has the potential to be injuries to public health, the environment, public roads, crops, livestock, and other property WHEREAS, spotted knapweed (Centaurea maculosa; C. biebersteinii) is on the State of Minnesota list of secondary noxious weeds that may be added to Dakota County's prohibited list of noxious weeds. WHEREAS, a petition to add spotted knapweed (Centaurea maculosa; C. biebersteinii) following the process set forth in the State of Minnesota rule 1505.0750 has been proposed. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Rosemount does support a petition to add spotted knapweed (Centaurea maculosa; C. biebersteinii) to Dakota County's prohibited list of noxious weeds; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that by approval of this resolution the City of Rosemount shall be entered onto the petition to add spotted knapweed (Centaurea maculosa; C. biebersteinii) to Dakota County's prohibited list of noxious weeds. ADOPTED this 1 day of March, 2005 1 CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of a resolution presented to and adopted by the City Council of Rosemount at a duly authorized meeting thereof, held on the 1st day of March, 2005, as disclosed by the records of said City in my possession. (SEAL) Linda J Jentink, Rosemount City Clerk William H. Droste, Mayor Linda Jentink, City Clerk Motion by: Seconded by: Voted in favor: Voted against: December 28, 2004 Local Weed Inspectors: DAKOTA COUNTY SOIL WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center 4100 220 Street West, Suite 102 Farmington, MN 55024 Phone: (651) 480 -7777 Fax: (651) 480 -7775 www. dakotacou ntyswcd.org RE Local Weed Inspectors Training and Noxious Weed Resolution The Dakota County Soil Water Conservation District (SWCD) will be conducting training for local weed inspectors at 10 00 am, February 16, 2005 at the Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center in Farmington, Minnesota At this meeting we will be discussing changes to the Noxious Weed Law, duties of the Local Weed Inspector, duties of the County Agricultural Inspector, and a proposed resolution to add spotted knapweed to the controlled list of noxious weeds in Dakota County At a recent Dakota County Township Officer Association meeting, a discussion was held to include spotted knapweed to the list of controlled noxious weeds in Dakota County Infestations have been observed in Eagan, Lakeville, and Castle Rock Township. Spotted knapweed is a very aggressive plant that can take over a site in only a couple of years As a result of this meeting, it was agreed that a petition should be started to add spotted knapweed the noxious weed list in Dakota County. However, before the spotted knapweed can be added to the list of noxious weeds in Dakota County the petition must complete the following process 1) A majority of cities and townships must approve the petition. 2) The petition is submitted to Dakota County Board of Commissioners for consideration and approval. 3) The Minnesota Commissioner of Agriculture reviews and signs petition 4) Spotted knapweed would then be added to the noxious weed list for Dakota County ONLY. Because it would be difficult to circulate one petition to all 42 local government units, I am requesting that each township or city vote on the enclosed resolution By approving the resolution you would be supporting the petition Please return all resolutions (approved or disapproved) to the SWCD at 4100 220 Street, Suite 102, Farmington, Minnesota by March 1 2005. If you have questions, I can be contacted at (651) 480 -7780 or you may bring your questions to the February 1 6 informational meeting Sincerely, Todd J. Matzke Dakota County Agricultural Inspector Enclosure: Spotted knapweed fact sheet Resolution Example Cc John Jaschke, Dakota County SWCD Board of Supervisors . FACTSHEET--s�o��v x�A�� Spotted Knapweed (Centaurea maculosa) DESCRIPTION: Spotted knapweed is a biennial or short-lived perennial forb of the composite family. It commonly grows to 3-4 feet in height. The'leaf margins on lowerleaues are indented or divided about halfway to the midrib and the leaf surface is rough; upper leaves are more linear in shape. The alternate, pale leaves grow from 1-3 inches in length. Stem height varies from two feet on upland sites to four feet on wetter sites. The majority of stem growth occurs in June. The slender, hairy stems grow in an erect and branched arrangement. Single thistle-like, pinkish- purple flower heads reach 3/4 inch in diameter and occur at the tips of terminal or axillary stems from late June through August Each flower head has stiff bracts marked with fine, vertical streaks and tipped with dark, comb-like fringes that give the flower head a spotted appearance. Seeds are brownish in color, under 1/4 inch in length, notched on one side of the base, and have a short tuft of bristles at the tip, enabling wind dispersal. Knapweed has a stout, elongated#aproot. � � � � � � � � � �'� �� aril"�"�� oi��r � Species similar to spotted knapweed include the follawing: "'` � • Russian knapweed (Centaurea repens): found in disturbed areas • Bachelor's button (C. Cyanus): currently in cultivation and common in "wildflower"mixes; with blue flowers generally larger than C. maculosa. • White-flowered knapweed (C. diffusa}:found in disturbed areas; generatly with white f4owers, but easily confused with C. maculosa. DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT: This plant was prol�ably introduced in the 1890's as a contaminant in alfalfa or hay seed from Europe and Asia. Spotted knapweed has - become a serious problem in the rangelands of the northwest United States. In recent years, the species has invaded relatively undisturbed natural areas in Wisconsin as well as heavily disturbed sites.The extent of the Spotted Knapweed invasion and the Communities potentially affected are not (c)John M. RandaJl/The Nature well known. Until recently, spotted knapweed was Conservancy presumed to inhabifionly heavily disturbed areas such as road ditches, agricultural fieid margins, railroad beds, pipelines, and-recently installed utility lines; the plant has now been found in dry prairie sites, oak and pine barrens, and on Jake dunes and sandy ridges. It seems to be especially problematic in the central sands, northern Wisconsin, and near the Great Lakes LIFE HISTORY AND EFFECTS OF INVASION: Spotted knapweed reproduces solely by seed. Individual flower heads bloom from late June through August for 2-6 days each. The bracts reopen after about 20 days and scatter seeds. Plants average about 1,000 seeds per plant. Seeds are viable for seven years, and germinate throughout the growing season: Seedlings eme�ging in faN develop into a rosette ofJeaves that resume growth in spring. : Spotted knapweed often attains high densities on sunny wild lands--even ones undisturbed by human or livestock activity. Knapweed tends to dominate sites at the expense of community diversity or forage production. Knapweed infestation can also incr�ase surface run-off and sedimentation. . - l - FACTSHEET--s�o��x�A�� CONTROLLING SPOTTED KNAPWEED Prevention is extremely important--spotted knapweed spreads readily in hay and on vehicte undercarriages. Caution is also necessary when using hay from the road ditches of primary roadways, or hay purchased from known infested areas. Outlying pfants shauld be controlled before main populations. Mechanical Control: The most effective control is early detection and removal of pioneering plants. : Small populations can be removed by digging or pulling. This is best done where the soil is moist. Spotted Knapweed The entire root should be removed. Mowing has (c)John M. FtandalllThe Nature Canservancy not been successful--plants merely reflower at a lower height. Once established, knapweed may be reduced by hot prescribed burns.These can be followed by selective pulling and digging once the population has been decreased.Annual burns have reduced populations anywhere from five t4 ninety percent. Reductions seem to correlate to the intensity of the bum administered; burns that remove nearly all the duff are most effective. Following a burn, reseed with native species. The potential effects of intense burning on native species must be taken into consideration when planning a burn. Biological Control: Several biological controls exist, including two root mining moths, a flower moth, and a root mining beetle. These have met with varying degrees of success. Most promising are the two seed-head attacking flies Urophora affinis and U. quadrifasciata. Congruently, these two flies have reduced seed production 95% in experimental populations.While both flies are being released experimentally in Wisconsin, their effectiveness here is still unknown. 7hese insects were not available for general use at the time of printing.7he USDA should be consulted to determine the current status of these controls. - Chemical Control: Chemical controls are an ` ` effective means of eliminating spotted knapweed, but they may also have the most adverse "' consequences. The recommendations from �_.� western rangetands involve the use of some very � � • potent chemicals. These restricted ehemicals are �° not recommended for use on quality natural areas, but may be appropriate on roadsides and other highly disturbed areas. Experimentation testing the effectiveness of less toxic broad-leaf herbicides such as triclopyr or glyphosate is encouraged. A 3% active ingredient(a.i.)solution of triclopyr in ' � . the water-soluble formulation with dye can be Spotted Knapweed sprayed on the entire plant except the flawer, (c)John M. Randall/The Nature Conservancy which should be spared for native fauna. This application should be repeated 3-4 times per year for two years.Triclopyr will not affect grasses. Picloram at 0.25 to 0.5 pounds per acre will control spotted knapweed plants and seedlings far 2- ' 3 years, although the residual control period may be shorter on gravel soil,where soil organic matter is high, or in wet areas. Picloram should be applied either in fall when the plant is in the -2 - FACTSHEE s2P77$v 7CNATWEEe rosette growth stage, or in spring during the bud to bloom stage. Picloram should not be used near water or on sandy soils with ground water ten feet or less below the surface. Dicamba at 1 -2 pounds (acid equivalent -see label) per acre also controls spotted knapweed, but may require annual follow -up treatment for a minimum of two years. Clopyralid is more selective, affecting only legumes and composites It can be applied at 0 25 pound acid equivalent per acre A mixture of 0 19 pounds of clopyralid per acre plus 2,4 -D at 1 pound acid equivalent per acre is also an option, both herbicides provide good control of spotted knapweed with less soil residual than picloram or dicamba Spotted knapweed that is still in the rosette stage can be controlled by applying a 2,4 -D low volatile ester, oil soluble amine, or water soluble amine formulations at 2 pounds per acre Annual spraying for several years may be required to deplete the seed bank. Picloram and clopyralid are the most commonly used and effective herbicides for spotted knapweed Picloram causes the largest initial decrease in native forb cover, but the experiment that produced this data also concluded that most non target forb populations were tolerant of herbicidal treatments and benefited from being released from knapweed competition after three years of selective herbicidal application. Application of these herbicides has not been found to decrease the frequency of occurrence of grasses, sedges, shrubs, or trees in the treated site Herbicides were applied manually using a carbon dioxide pressure regulated backpack sprayer at the concentrations listed in previous paragraphs -3-