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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1.23 Noxious Weed Mgmt PlanNoxious Weed Management Plan PDC Energy Piceance Centralized Soil Treatment Facility OLSSON ASSOCIATES OA Project No. 011 -2627 760 Horizon Drive, Suite 102 1 Grand Junction, CO 81506 1 TEL 970.263.7800 1 FAX 970.263.7456 INTEGRATED VEGETATION AND NOXIOUS WEED MANAGEMENT PLAN PROPOSED CENTRALIZED SOIL TREATMENT FACILITY SITE GARFIELD COUNTY, COLORADO Cover Photo: View of proposed centralized soil treatment facility site. Prepared for: Petroleum Development Corporation 1775 Sherman Street, Suite 3000 Denver, CO 80203 Prepared by: WestWater Engineering 2516 Foresight Circle #1 Grans Junction.. O 81 A15 Michael Klish- Principal Environmental Scientist October 2009 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Project Description At the request of Petroleum Development Corporation (PDC), WestWater Engineering (WWE) has prepared an Integrated Vegetation and Noxious Weed Management Plan for a proposed centralized soil treatment facility site. The project site is located 6.8 miles east of Parachute, Colorado in Sections 25, Township 6 South, Range 95 West (Figure 1). The project area lies within Garfield County, Colorado, and is located on private land. Access to the project area is currently available via U.S. Highway 6 east from Parachute onto a private access road. The primary use of the site and adjacent area is natural gas extraction/development and wildlife habitat. The general project area is currently undergoing natural gas development including well drilling and the construction of pipelines and roads. 1.2 General Survey Information Mapped soil types, as published by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), were reviewed to determine the soil types and vegetation characteristics of site and surrounding area (NRCS 2009). Field inspections of the project area were conducted by WWE biologists on October 16, 2009. WWE biologists surveyed the area in and around the site to identify vegetation communities and to search for, identify, and map noxious weed species. Vegetation types were determined through aerial photography, field identification of plants, and on- the - ground assessment of plant abundance visible during the survey. Identification of plant species was aided by using pertinent published field guides (Whitson et al. 2001, CWMA 2007, Kershaw et al. 1998, Weber and Wittmann 2001). Photographs were taken of the general project location, vegetation, terrain, and other specific biological findings. Locations of weeds and other features included in this report were recorded with the aid of a handheld global positioning system (GPS) receiver using NAD83/WGS84 map datum, with all coordinate locations based on the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinate system in Zone 12. 2.0 LANDSCAPE SETTING 2.1 Vegetation Communities Vegetation communities around the project area have been disturbed by grazing use by livestock, natural gas development, and Interstate 70. The area surrounding the site is dominated by sagebrush shrublands with an understory of mixed forbs and grasses. Pinon juniper woodlands are widely scattered on the hillsides and ridge -tops near the project area. Pinon juniper woodlands are dominated by Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma) and occasional pinon pine (Pinus edulis). Other vegetation observed in the area includes greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus), four -wing saltbush (Atriplex canescens), shadscale ( Atriplex confertifolia), and yellow rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus) with cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) and crested WestWater Engineering Page 1 of 11 October 2009 Legend • Canada age =I Soli T _mFeARED <' mRK6R1,17 E 1' Soil Treatment Fa=NRy Parcel Weed Survey October 2009 a'Nest Water Engineering ErreirorarNerad Q 0.05 a1 �»e 2:90CutlIS'POCLancFa-ning.rnwrl ._ wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum) throughout the understory. With the exception of western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), very few native grasses were observed. Approximately 30 percent of the centralized soil treatment facility parcel has been previously disturbed by a pipeline Right -of -Way (ROW). Vegetation found along the pipeline ROW is primarily composed of crested wheatgrass, kochia (Kochia scoparia), Russian thistle (Salsola spp), and weedy annual mustards (family Brassicacea). 2.2 Soils Soil types present in the project area are the loamy soils commonly found along alluvial fans and valleys throughout Garfield and Mesa Counties. Mapped soil types, as published by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), were reviewed to determine the soil types and vegetation characteristics of the project site and surrounding property (NRCS 2009). Two soil types are found in the project area and include the following: 1. Nihill - Channery loam is a well drained soil with 6 -25 percent slopes. 2. Arvada loam is a well drained soil with 1 -6 percent slopes. 2.3 Terrain The project area lies north of the Colorado River on an upland terrace. Terrain is relatively flat at an elevation of approximately 5,200 ft above sea level. Steep slopes and low hills lie north of the project site and are bisected by several dry washes. 3.0 NOXIOUS WEEDS 3.1 Introduction to Noxious Weeds Noxious weeds are plants that are aggressive competitors when non - native to an area. Most have come from Europe or Asia, either accidentally or as ornamentals that have escaped. Once established in a new environment, they tend to spread quickly because the insects, diseases, and animals that normally control them are absent. Noxious weeds are spread by man, animals, water, and wind. Prime locations for the establishment of noxious weeds include roadsides, construction sites, areas that are overused by animals or humans, wetlands, and riparian corridors. Subsequent to soil disturbances, vegetation communities can be susceptible to infestations of invasive or exotic weed species. Vegetation removal and soil disturbance during construction can create optimal conditions for the establishment of invasive, non - native species. Construction equipment traveling from weed - infested areas into weed -free areas could disperse noxious or invasive weed seeds and propagates, resulting in the establishment of these weeds in previously weed -free areas. The Colorado Noxious Weed Act (State of Colorado 2005) requires local governing bodies to develop noxious weed management plans. Both the State of Colorado and Garfield County maintain lists of plants considered to be noxious weeds. The State of Colorado noxious weed list includes three categories. List A species must be eradicated whenever detected. List B species WestWater Engineering Page 3 of 11 October 2009 include weeds whose spread should be halted. List C species are widespread, but the State will assist local jurisdictions which choose to manage those weeds. The Garfield County Weed Advisory Board has compiled a list of 21 plants from the State list considered to be noxious weeds within the county (Appendix A). The Garfield County Weed Advisory Board has duties to: 1. Develop a noxious weed list, 2. Develop a weed management plan for designated noxious weeds, and 3. Recommend to the Board of County Commissioners that identified landowners submit an integrated weed management plan for their properties. 3.2 Observations Four Colorado State listed weed species are found at the site, one of which is listed by Garfield County (Table 1 and Appendix A). One Colorado State B listed weed, Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), was observed in the project area. Three Colorado State C listed weeds were observed in the project area and included downy brome (Bromus tectorum), halogeton (Halogeton glomeratus), and redstem filaree (Erodium cicutarium). The vegetative community in previously disturbed areas at the site was primarily composed of common weed species that are not listed by the State of Colorado as noxious weeds. These species include: kochia (Bassia prostrate), Russian thistle (Salsola spp.), tumble mustard (Sisymbrium altissimum), and annual wheatgrass (Eremopyrum triticeum). Heavy infestations of these weedy species were observed throughout the older disturbed areas of the site. Table 1. Noxious Weeds Observed in the Proiect Area. Common Name* Scientific Name USDA Symbol 1 Plant Type General Location and Comments Canada ThistleB Cirsium arvense CIAR4 Creeping Perennial Single plant on existing pipeline alignment. Downy bromeL Bromus tectorum BRTE Annual Found throughout project area. Halogetonc Halogeton glomeratus HAGL Annual Found in dense patches along existing pipeline alignment. Red -stem filareeB Erodium cicutarium ERCI6 Annual /Biennial Found throughout freshly cleared pipeline ROW and existing alignment. * Government weed listing: Bold - Garfield County, Colorado. Superscript - Colorado State B or C list. WestWater Engineering Page 4 of 11 October 2009 3.3 Integrated Weed Management Control of invasive species is a difficult task. Care must be taken to prevent damage to desirable plant species during treatments to prevent further infestations by other pioneer invaders. Weed management is best achieved through a variety of methods over a long period of time including inventory (surveys), direct treatments, prevention through best management practices, monitoring of treatment efficiency, and subsequent detection efforts. Weed management is often reserved to "control" of existing species and prevention of further infestations (existing and novel species) rather than eradication. After successful and effective management, decreases in infestation size and density can be expected, and after several years of successful management practices, eradication is sometimes possible. 3.4 Prevention and Assessment of Noxious Weed Infestations Weed management is costly and heavy infestations may exceed the economic threshold for practical treatment. Prevention is especially valuable in the case of noxious weed management. Several simple practices should be employed to prevent most weed infestations. The following practices should be adopted for any activity to reduce the costs of noxious weed control through prevention. The practices include: • Prior to delivery to the site, equipment should be thoroughly cleaned of soils remaining from previous construction sites which may be contaminated with noxious weeds. • If working in sites with weed -seed contaminated soil, equipment should be cleaned of potentially seed - bearing soils and vegetative debris at the infested area prior to moving to uncontaminated terrain. • All maintenance vehicles should be regularly cleaned of soil. • Avoid driving vehicles through areas where weed infestations exist. Assessment of the existence and extent of noxious weeds for an area is essential for the development of an integrated management plan. This report provides an initial assessment of the occurrence of noxious weeds for the project area. In order to continue effective management of noxious weeds, further inventory and analysis is necessary to 1) determine the effectiveness of the past treatment strategies, 2) modify if necessary the treatment plan, and 3) detect early infestations of new species or locations and thus more economical treatments. 3.5 Treatment and Control of Noxious Weed Infestations Invasive and noxious weeds commonly occur along ditches, creek corridors and adjacent drainages (especially in riparian areas), abandoned fields, and disturbed areas such as well pads, pipeline routes and roadsides. It is recommended to continue monitoring the site to insure new infestations of noxious weeds do not establish at the centralized soil treatment facility. Once an area has been cleared of vegetation and the soil has been upturned this increases the vulnerability of the site to invasion by noxious weeds. Noxious weeds establish in areas of disturbance due to the removal of competitors and the optimal growing conditions that are created by disturbing a site. WestWater Engineering Page 5 of 11 October 2009 If noxious weeds are found in the future at the site it is important to know whether the target is an annual, biennial, or perennial to select strategies that effectively control and eliminate the target. Treatment strategies are different depending on plant type, which are summarized in Tables 2 and 3. Herbicides should not always be the first treatment of choice when other methods can be effectively employed. Some weeds, particularly annuals and biennials, can develop resistance to herbicides. The ability to quickly develop immunity to herbicides, especially when they are used incorrectly, makes it imperative to use the proper chemicals at the correct time in the specified concentration according to the product label. Most misuse is centered on excessive application, either in frequency or concentration. This results in mostly top kill and resistant phenotypes. Table 2. Treatment Strategies for Annual and Biennial Noxious Weeds Target: Prevent Seed Production 1. Hand grub (pull), hoe, till, cultivate in rosette stage and before flowering or seed maturity. If seeds develop, cut and bag seed heads. 2. Cut roots with a spade just below soil level. 3. Treat with herbicide in rosette or bolting stage, before flowering. 4. Mow biennials after bolting stage, before seed set. Mowing annuals will not prevent flowering but can reduce total seed production. (Sirota 2004) Table 3. Treatment Strategies for Perennials Target: Deplete nutrient reserves in root system, prevent seed production 1. Allow plants to expend as much energy from root system as possible, do not treat when first emerging in spring, but allow growth to bud/bloom stage. If seeds develop, cut and bag if possible. 2. Herbicide treatment at bud to bloom stage or in the fall (recommended after August 15 when natural precipitation is present). In the fall, plants draw nutrients into the roots for winter storage. Herbicides will be drawn down to the roots more efficiently at this time due to translocation of nutrients to roots rather than leaves. If the weed patch has been present for a long period of time, another season of seed production is not as important as getting the herbicide into the root system. Spraying in fall (after middle August) will kill the following year's shoots, which are being formed on the roots at this time. 3. Mowing usually is not recommended because the plants will flower anyway; seed production should be reduced. Many studies have shown that mowing perennials and spraying the re- growth is not as effective as spraying without mowing. Effect of mowing is species dependent; therefore, it is imperative to know the species and its basic biology. Timing of application must be done when biologically appropriate, which is not necessarily convenient. 4. Tillage may or may not be effective. Most perennial roots can sprout from pieces only '/2" — 1" long. Clean machinery thoroughly before leaving the weed patch. 5. Hand pulling is generally not recommended for perennial species unless you know the plants are seedlings and not established plants. Hand pulling can be effective on small patches but is very labor intensive because it must be done repeatedly. (Sirota 2004) WestWater Engineering Page 6 of 11 October 2009 3.6 Commercial Applicator Recommendations A certified commercial applicator is a good choice for herbicide control efforts. Regulations may require a Colorado licensed applicator. An applicator has the full range of knowledge, skills, equipment, and experience desired when dealing with tough noxious weeds. Reclamation farming services using multiple seed bin range drills and specialized related equipment is available and should be used for reclamation seeding projects. Common chemical and trade names may be used in this report. The use of trade names is for clarity by the reader. Inclusion of a trade name does not imply endorsement of that particular brand of herbicide and exclusion does not imply non - approval. Certified commercial applicators will decide which herbicide to use and at what concentration according to label directions. Landowners using unrestricted products must obey all label warnings, cautions, and application concentrations. The author of this report is not responsible for inappropriate herbicide use by readers. 3.7 Best Management Practices — Noxious Weeds Construction: The following practices should be adopted for any construction project to reduce the costs of noxious weed control and aid in prevention efforts. The practices include: • Top soil, where present, should be segregated from deeper soils and replaced as top soil on the final grade, a process known as live topsoil handling. • In all cases, temporary disturbance should be kept to an absolute minimum. • Equipment and materials handling should be done on established sites to reduce area and extent of soil compaction. • Disturbances should be immediately reseeded with the recommended mix in the re- vegetation section. • Topsoil stockpiles should be seeded with non - invasive sterile hybrid grasses, if stored longer than one growing season. • Prior to delivery to the site, equipment should be cleaned of soils remaining from previous construction sites which may be contaminated with noxious weeds. • If working in sites with weed -seed contaminated soil, equipment should be cleaned of potentially seed - bearing soils and vegetative debris prior to moving to uncontaminated terrain. In areas with slope greater than 3 percent, imprinting of the seed bed is recommended. Imprinting can be in the form of dozer tracks or furrows perpendicular to the direction of slope. When utilizing hydro- seeding followed by mulching, imprinting should be done prior to seeding unless the mulch is to be crimped into the soil surface. If broadcast seeding and harrowing, imprinting should be done as part of the harrowing. Furrowing can be done by several methods, the most simple of which is to drill seed perpendicular to the direction of slope in a prepared bed. Other simple imprinting methods include deep hand raking and harrowing, always perpendicular to the direction of slope. WestWater Engineering Page 7 of 11 October 2009 Herbicides: Annual and biennial weeds are best controlled at the pre -bud stage after germination or in the spring of the second year. The species identified in the survey are susceptible to commercially available herbicides. Selective herbicides are recommended to minimize damage to desirable grass. Herbicide use in any riparian zones should be restricted to formulations that are approved for such use. Non - selective aquatic glyphosate formulations (e.g., Rodeo®) can be used in riparian areas with little danger to the ground or surface water, but desired grasses, forbs, shrubs and trees are susceptible to damage by direct contact. Professionals or landowners using herbicides must use the concentration specified on the label of the container in hand. Herbicides generally do not work better at higher concentrations. Most herbicide failures observed by WWE are related to incomplete control caused by high concentrations killing top growth before the active ingredient can be transported to the roots through the nutrient translocation process. Most herbicide applications should use a surfactant if directed on the herbicide label or other adjuvants as called for on the herbicide label. Grazing: Grazing should be deferred, in reclaimed areas, until the desired grass species are established. Mechanical: Mechanical control with a hand tool (shovel etc.) is ideal for situations where noxious weed infestations are low and visibility is good. Alternative Methods: An alternative method, particularly where there is poor or destroyed topsoil, is the application of vesicular - arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, typically referred to as AMF. These fungi, mostly of the genus Glomus, are symbiotic with about 80 percent of all vegetation. Endo - mycorrhizal fungi are associated mostly with grasses and forbs and could be helpful when reclaiming this project. In symbiosis, the fungi increase water and nutrient transfer capacity of the host root system by as much as several orders of magnitude (Barrow and McCaslin 1995). Over - the - counter commercial products, which are better adapted to coating seeds when re- seeding and treating roots of live seedling trees and shrubs at time of planting, come in powder form and are available from many different sources. Some also come in granular form to be spread with seed from a broadcast spreader. The best AMF products should contain more than one species. All Colorado State Forest Salida District tree and shrub plantings include the application of AMF. According to District Forester Crystal Tischler, "AMF is worth it" (Tischler 2006). Most, if not all, Colorado Department of Transportation re- vegetation /reseeding projects now require use of AMF and BioSol, a certified by- product of the penicillin manufacturing process composed primarily of mycelium. Compacted soils respond well to fossilized humic substances and by- products called humates. These humates, including humic and fulvic acids, and humin were formed from pre - historic plant and animal deposits and work especially well on compacted soils when applied as directed. 4.0 REVEGETATION — RECLAMATION 4.1 Project Area The project area is comprised of grasslands and desert shrublands, and sparsely vegetated foothills. Successful reclamation of the project area is dependent upon soil type and texture, WestWater Engineering Page 8 of 11 October 2009 slope gradient and aspect, proper weed control, available water, and revegetation with suitable plant species. Based on the soil types, terrain, and the presence of noxious weeds in the project area, successful reclamation is most likely if a seed mix of grasses and shrubs is used. The seed mix presented in Table 4 is recommended. The suggested seed mix is based on BLM recommendation for the elevation and vegetation type presently occurring in the project area (BLM 2008). For best results and success, the recommended grass mixture reseeding should be done in late autumn. The reseeding rate should be doubled for broadcast application (CNHP 1998). Preferred seeding method is multiple seed bin rangeland drill with 110 soil preparation other than simple grading to slope and imprinting and waterbars where applicable. Alternative seeding methods include, but are not limited to: • harrow with just enough soil moisture to create a rough surface, broadcast seed and re- harrow, preferably at a 90 degree angle to the first harrow; • hydro- seeding (most economical in terms of seed cost); and • hand raking and broadcast followed by re- raking at a 90 degree angle to the first raking. • These are not the only means of replanting the site. However, these methods have been observed to be effective in similar landscapes. After desired grasses are established and control of target weed species is successful, then shrubs, forbs, and trees can be planted without concern for herbicide damage. Few native forb seeds are available commercially as cultivars. Most are collected from natural populations. Native shrubs and forbs often do not establish well from seed, particularly when mixed with grasses. Past experience has shown that stabilizing the soil with grasses, accomplishing weed control, and then coming back to plant live, containerized woody species in copses has been the most cost effective method for establishing the woody species component of the plant community. For sites where soil disturbance will be temporary, grasses should be drilled after construction activities cease and the equipment is removed from the site. After two years of controlling weeds (with herbicides) and allowing the grasses to become established, forbs and woody species should be inter - seeded or hand - planted to increase the diversity and value of the reclamation plantings. 4.2 Reclamation Goals Interim and final reclamation measures shall be consistent with those outlined in the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission's (COGCC) amended rules, effective April 1, 2009 (COGCC 2009). These regulations are expected to fulfill Garfield County's requirements for interim and final reclamation standards. WestWater Engineering Page 9 of 11 October 2009 Table 4. Suggested Seeding for Low - Elevation Salt- Desert Scrub /Basin Big Sagebrush Common Name Scientific Names Variety Season Form PLS lbs /acre* Plant Both of the Following (5% Each, 10% Total) Fourwing Saltbush Atriplex canescens VNS Shrub 2.5 Shadscale Atriplex confertifolia VNS Shrub 2.0 and Two of the Following (25% Each, 50% Total) Bottlebrush Squirreltail Elymus elymoides, Sitanion hystrix VNS Cool Bunch 3.4 Streambank Wheatgrass Elymus lanceolatus ssp. psammophilus, Agropyron riparium Sodar Cool Sod - forming 4.2 Bluebunch Wheatgrass Pseudoroegneria spicata Secar Cool Bunch 4.7 and One of the Following (20% Total) Indian Ricegrass Achnatherum [Oryzopsis] hymenoides Paloma, Rimrock Cool Bunch 3.7 Sandberg Bluegrass Poa sandbergii, Poa secunda VNS Cool Bunch 0.6 and One of the Following (10% Total) Alkali Sacaton Sporobolus airoides VNS Warm Bunch 0.15 Salina Wildrye Leymus salinus VNS Cool Bunch 1.0 and One of the Following (10% Total) Galleta Pleuraphis [Hilaria] jamesii Viva florets Warm Bunch/Sod- forming 1.6 Sand Dropseed Sporobolus cryptandrus VNS Warm Bunch 0.05 *Based on 60 pure live seeds (PLS) per square foot, drill - seeded. Double this rate (120 PLS per square foot) if broadcast or hydroseeded. WestWater Engineering Page 10 of 11 October 2009 5.0 REFERENCES Barrow, J. R., and Bobby D. McCaslin. 1995. Role of microbes in resource management in arid ecosystems. In: Barrow, J. R., E. D. McArthur, R. E. Sosebee, and Tausch, R. J., comps. 1996. Proceedings: shrubland ecosystem dynamics in a changing environment. General Technical Report, INT- GTR -338, Ogden, Utah: U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service, Intermountain Resource Station, 275 pp. BLM. 2008. Revisions to BLM energy office revegetation requirements. Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior, Glenwood Springs. CNHP. 1998. Native Plant Re- vegetation Guide for Colorado. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Caring for the Land Series, Vol. III, State of Colorado, Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation, Department of Natural Resources, Denver, 258 pp. COGCC. 2009. Amended Rules. Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, Department of Natural Resources. CWMA. 2007. S. Anthony, T. D'Amato, A. Doran, S. Elzinga, J. Powell, I. Schonle, K. Uhing. Noxious Weeds of Colorado, Ninth Edition. Colorado Weed Management Association, Centennial. Kershaw, L., A. MacKinnon, and J. Pojar. 1998. Plants of the Rocky Mountains. Lone Pine Publishing, Auburn, Washington. NRCS. 2009. Web Soil Survey, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resource Conservation Service, URL: http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov Sirota, J. 2004. Best management practices for noxious weeds of Mesa County. Colorado State University Cooperative Extension Tri River Area, Grand Junction, Colorado. URL: http://www.coopext.colostate.edu/TRA/Weeds/weedmgmt.html State of Colorado. 2005. Rules pertaining to the administration and enforcement of the Colorado Noxious Weed Act, 35 -5 -1 -119, C.R.S. 2003. Department of Agriculture, Plant Industry Division, Denver, 78 pp. Tischler, Crystal. 2006. District Forester, Colorado State Forest Service, Salida. Personal communication with Bill Clark, WestWater Engineering, Grand Junction, Colorado. Weber, William A., and Ronald C. Wittmann. 2001. Colorado Flora, Western Slope. Third Edition, University Press of Colorado, Boulder. Whitson, T. D. (editor), L. C. Burrill, S. A. Dewey, D. W. Cudney, B. E. Nelson, R. D. Lee, and R. Parker. 2001. Weeds of the West — 9th edition. Western Society of Weed Science in cooperation with Cooperative Extension Services, University of Wyoming, Laramie. WestWater Engineering Page 11 of 11 October 2009 APPENDIX A Garfield County Noxious Weed List Species Common name Species Code Growth Form' Life History 2 State "A" List State "B" List " State C List Garfield List Acroptilon repens Russian knapweed ACRE3 F P X X Aegilops cylindrica Jointed goatgrass AECY G A X X Arctium minus Common (Lesser) burdock ARMI2 F B X X Cardaria draba Hoary cress, Whitetop CADR F P X X Carduus acanthoides Spiny plumeless thistle CAAC F B, WA X X Carduus nutans Musk (Nodding plumeless) thistle CANU4 F B X X Centaurea diffusa Diffuse knapweed CEDI3 F P X X Centaurea maculosa Spotted knapweed CEMA4 F P X X Centaurea solstitialis Yellow starthistle CESO3 F A X X Chrysanthemum leucanthemum Oxeye daisy CHLE80 F P X X Cichorium intybus Chicory CIIN F P X X Cirsium arvense Canada thistle CIAR4 F P X X Cynoglossum officinale Houndstongue, Gypsyflower CYOF F B X X Elaeagnus angustifolia Russian olive ELAN T P X X Euphorbia esula Leafy spurge EUES F P X X Linaria dalmatica Dalmatian toadflax, broad - leaved LIDA F P X X Linaria vulgaris Yellow toadflax LIVU2 F P X X Lythrum salicaria Purple loosestrife LYSA2 F P X X Onopordum acanthium Scotch thistle ONAC F B X X Tamarix parvi fora Smallflower tamarisk TAPA4 T P X X Tamarix ramosissima Salt cedar, Tamarisk TARA T P X X 1 — Growth form: T = tree /shrub; F = forb /vine; G = graminoid 2 — Life history: A = annual; B = biennial; P = perennial; WA = winter annual WestWater Engineering Appendix A October 2009