Cheatgrass Management Plan for NM

MANAGEMENT PLAN OUTLINE INTRODUCTION MISSION STATEMENT – GOAL SCOPE OF THE CHEATGRASS PROBLEM POLICY AND DIRECTION EDUCATION AND OUTREACH MANAGEMENT ACTIONS FUNDING

Our goal is to eradicate “CHEATGRASS” throughout New Mexico. BLM New Mexico will include Cheatgrass as a priority in the Healthy Lands Initiative Restore New Mexico Partnership. This partnership focuses on restoring grasslands and watersheds dominated by exotic and invasive species to a healthier and more productive condition.

Scope of the Cheatgrass Problem This strategy was prompted by the incredible surge of cheatgrass in many parts of NM during spring Cheatgrass is a continually expanding and biologically dangerous central Asian/European cool season annual grass. It was introduced to several regions of the U.S. in the late 1800’s. This species is a major source of ecological concern in the sagebrush communities of the western U.S Cheatgrass was first collected in New Mexico in Currently 80% of New Mexico Counties have known occurrences of cheatgrass.

Distribution of Cheatgrass in NM Zone 1- Invaded Zone 2- Susceptable to Invasion

Potential Adverse Watershed Threats/Impacts from Cheatgrass Invasion Crowds out Native Species – resulting in loss of biodiversity Can prevent establishment of native vegetation Interfere with natural plant succession and nutrient cycling Litter and dead/senesced material increases the frequency and intensity of wildfires

Policy and Direction NM Policy: –Objectives and actions are to be implemented at all levels of the BLM-NM organization. –This plan will, in addition to current regulations and direction, provide specific State-wide policies for handling cheatgrass issues

Management Objectives Reduce the amount of Cheatgrass in current invaded areas by 50% in 5 years. Prevent establishment or spread of Cheatgrass into new areas. Review success and revise objectives in 5 years.

Education and Out Reach Communication Plan – to design and implement an effective inreach and outreach program that will familiarize BLM employees, interagency cooperators, public land user groups, and the general public about what is being done to reduce the invasion of cheatgrass in NM.

Communication Strategies Inreach –Cheatgrass Strategy will be presented to all BLM managers, program leads, and staff to promote its integration into all program areas and encourage interdisciplinary implementation –Cheatgrass eradication/management will be a priority in the HLI Restore NM Program. –An intranet site will be developed with staff specialists to provide cheatgrass information, the latest research, a place to post project summaries.

Communication Strategies Outreach/Education –Query other agencies to determine their strategies to avoid duplication of efforts and opportunities to work together. –Media coverage of the problem will be encouraged through development of news releases and op-ed pieces. –Public education will include the development of fact sheets, posters, brochures, or other products that target different audiences. –Cheatgrass “facts” will be added to our external websites to help with public education –Demonstration treatments will be encouraged and thoroughly documented through interpretive signage, on our website, or in publications

Management Actions Inventory/Mapping Project Planning Prevention Control and Restoration Research Monitorin g

Inventory/Mapping All Field Personnel will map cheatgrass locations and projects during performance of their normal field duties using current GIS data standards for Noxious Weeds Ensure Field Employees have adequate GPS equipment and training to collect data Coordinate data collection and sharing with other partners Aggregate cheatgrass data by field office and state

Project Planning Project/Treatment Plan Considerations –Integrated Weed Management principles –Special Status Species impacts –Native Plant Community Restoration –Wildlife Habitat Restoration –Wildfire Prevention –Partners for Landscape Treatments

Cheatgrass in Prescribed Burn Area

Prevention Implement Standard Operating Procedures and Mitigation Measures called for in Final EIS Vegetation Treatments Using Herbicides on BLM Lands in 17 Western States Preventive Measures would include but not limited to the following –Washing vehicles before and after entering into a cheatgrass infested site –All approved actions will use the least surface disturbing practice necessary to achieve resource goals –Include Cheatgrass in our Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR) procedures for new infestations of noxious weeds

Cheatgrass Seed

Control and Restoration Restoration/Revegetation is critical to successful long term control of Cheatgrass Treatments could include a combination of the following practices: –Cultural management (land stewardship) –Herbicide Treatments –Biological control: fungal, insect, livestock –Revegetation/Restoration techniques

Naranjo Cheatgrass 2007

Naranjo Cheatgrass 2008

Research Farmington area trial plots combining fire, herbicide and reseeding Rio Puerco Field Office trial plots in the Naranjo area north of Cuba Project with Rocky Mountain Research Station with pathogenic fungi ( The Black Fingers of Death )

Cheatgrass & Crested Wheatgrass

Monitoring Implementation Monitoring –Did we do what we said we would do Effectiveness Monitoring –Were project objectives met

Funding Partnerships