Agriculture

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

El Dorado County Noxious Weeds Management Group 
                  Prevention of Noxious Weeds
Exclusion, Detection, Eradication and Suppression of Noxious Weeds

 

 

I. AUTHORITY

This Memorandum of Understanding is made and entered into by El Dorado County Department of Agriculture, El Dorado County U.C. Cooperative Extension, U.S. Forest Service Eldorado National Forest, California Native Plant Society, El Dorado County Resource Conservation District, Georgetown Divide Resource Conservation District, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, El Dorado County Department of Transportation, Amador-El Dorado-Sacramento Cattlemen's Association, Sierra Pacific Industries, El Dorado County Board of Supervisors, California Department of Fish and Game, California Department of Food and Agriculture, Sierra Consulting, California Department of Transportation, Placerville Pest Control Center, El Dorado County Farm Bureau, Bureau of Land Management, High Sierra Resource Conservation and Development Council and California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, hereinafter referred to as Principal Parties, Parties or Party.

II. PURPOSE

The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding is to establish a Noxious Weed Management Area within the boundaries of El Dorado County to be known as the El Dorado County Noxious Weeds Management Group and define the terms and conditions under which the El Dorado County Noxious Weeds Management Group will cooperate and coordinate activities necessary for the prevention and control of noxious weeds in El Dorado County. The emphasis of these activities shall be focused upon the exclusion, detection, eradication and suppression of noxious weeds. The priority of control and eradication efforts shall concentrate on the species listed as noxious weeds by the California Department of Food and Agriculture and other species of local significance as they are identified. This effort will not include any species that are native to California without prior agreement by the signatory agencies and organizations. The signatory agencies and organizations will cooperate in seeking funding to support the activities of the El Dorado Noxious Weed Management Group. In addition, public education on noxious weed identification and control will be a primary goal of the Group. 

III. INTRODUCTION

Whereas, noxious weed infestations occur within El Dorado County that reduce the biological, agricultural, silvicultural, recreational and economical value of the land and have negative impact upon the environment by suppressing native plant species; and

Whereas, a coordinated approach to identifying sites, developing responses and educating the public will result in a more effective effort to reduce or eliminate noxious weed infestations; and

Whereas, responses to noxious weed infestations may include mechanical, biological control, chemical and/or cultural control methods that could minimize further noxious weed infestations in El Dorado County.

IV. CONDITIONS

Now, therefore, in consideration of the above premises the parties agree as follows: 

    A. El Dorado County Department of Agriculture:

1. Release of biological control agents and manage of their distribution throughout the county.
2. Work with private land owners to address noxious weed infestations on their properties.
3. Identify all noxious weed infestations on county property.
4. Educate the public about noxious weeds, their identification and methods of control and prevention.
5. Work with city, county, state and federal land managers to address noxious weed infestations on the property they manage.
6. Provide information about safe use of pesticides.
7. Map noxious weed infestations utilizing GIS.
8. The Administrator for all El Dorado County Government agencies shall be Bill Snodgrass, El Dorado County Agricultural Commissioner.

B. El Dorado County U.C. Cooperative Extension Service:

1. Educate the public about noxious weeds, their identification and methods of control through distribution of UC publications, conducting educational workshops, and field consultations with land managers.
2. Promote the control and prevention of noxious weeds on private land through extending of research based information on noxious weed control.
3. Conduct and/or report upon applied research on noxious weed control to test management strategies including prescribed burning, approved herbicides, grazing, mowing, hand removal, and vegetation competition.

C. California Department of Food and Agriculture:

1. Supply biological control agents to suppress noxious weeds.
2. Provide technical and resource support to the El Dorado County Department of Agriculture towards the eradication of "A" rated noxious weeds.
3. Control and suppression of noxious weeds.
4. Review, evaluate and report the results of "A" rated noxious weeds eradication activities.

D. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

1. Educate the public and California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection employees about noxious weeds, their identification and methods of prevention.
2. Promote the control and prevention of noxious weeds on private and public lands.

E. Amador/El Dorado/Sacramento Cattlemen's Association

1. Educate the public about noxious weeds, their identification and methods of prevention.
2. Promote the control and prevention of noxious weeds on private land and coordinate weed control methods and successes with producers.
3. Pursue state and federal legislative measures that include funding for educational programs, weed control cost-sharing programs and/or other incentive programs.
4. Assist in setting up a test plot/demonstration site in El Dorado County.

F. El Dorado Chapter California Native Plant Society

1. Educate the public about noxious weeds and their impacts on native plant communities.
2. Participate in efforts to identify and map noxious weed infestations throughout the county.
3. Promote methods to control noxious weeds that avoid negative impacts on natural communities.

G. California Department of Transportation

1. Provide no fee encroachment permits to allow for control of noxious weeds along State highway right of ways.
2. Coordinate with El Dorado County Department of Agriculture on noxious weed control projects within the State highway right of way boundaries.
3. Educate the public and Department of Transportation employees about noxious weeds, their identification and methods of prevention.

H. El Dorado County Board of Supervisors

1. Support the El Dorado County Noxious Weeds Management Groups efforts to exclude, detect, eradicate and suppress noxious weeds in El Dorado County.
2. Promote noxious weed educational weed programs.
3. Promote the control and prevention of noxious weeds on private and public lands.
4. Support efforts to obtain funding for the El Dorado County Noxious Weeds Management Group programs.

I. El Dorado County Farm Bureau

1. Educate the public about noxious weeds, their identification and methods of prevention and control.
2. Promote the control and prevention of noxious weeds on private land.

J. El Dorado County Department of Transportation

1. Use maintenance practices that will limit the spread of noxious weeds.
2. Educate road Department employees on noxious weeds, their identification and methods of prevention.
3. Control noxious weed infestations on county road right of ways.

K. El Dorado County Resource Conservation District

1. Contribute information regarding research and trials on district's limited roadside vegetation program (RVP). Our RVP is intended to improve upon current vegetation management practices
2. employed by public agencies on public and private roads by promoting strategies which minimize roadside vulnerability to the establishment and spread of noxious weeds.
3. In partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, provide recommendations and planting specifications for the revegetation of disturbed an/or chemically treated areas.
4. Advocate for more sophisticated management strategies by agencies with weed management responsibilities.

L. Georgetown Divide Resource Conservation District

1. Contribute information regarding research and trials on the district's limited roadside vegetation program (RVP). Our RVP is intended to improve upon current vegetation management practices employed by public agencies on public and private roads by promoting strategies which minimize roadside vulnerability to the establishment and spread of noxious weeds.
2. In partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, provide recommendations and planting specifications for the revegetation of disturbed an/or chemically treated areas.
3. Advocate for more sophisticated management strategies by agencies with weed management responsibilities.
4. Support efforts to eradicate Scotch Broom.

M. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

1. Work with the local Resources Conservation Districts to educate and assist landowners with the management of sensitive areas that may be prone for noxious weed infestation.
2. Utilize the Soil Survey of El Dorado Area, California in correlating noxious weed areas of El Dorado County with soil series to determine connections.
3. Support the resources Conservation Districts role in providing educational workshops on the management and vegetative control of sensitive areas.

N. Placerville Pest Control Center

1. Be available to work with private land owners on cost and prevention of further spread of infestations of noxious weed.
2. Provide information on timely applications.
3. Involve land owners and residential home owners in the control methods to noxious weeds to reduce the cost.
4. Educate land owners about land preparation (reduce tall vegetation, burning, etc.) before herbicide application.
5. Educate land owners about the seriousness of Yellow Starthistle, provide information about control methods and provide inspection and professional services.

O. U.S. Forest Service, Eldorado National Forest

1. Educate the public about noxious weeds, assist in their identification and methods of control.
2. Promote the control and treatment of noxious weeds on federal lands.
3. Support and assist other agencies and interested parties in noxious weed prevention and control.
4. Identify and map all noxious weed infestations on US Forest Service System Lands.

P. Sierra Pacific Industries

1. Identification: Field Foresters will survey company lands for targeted noxious weeds.
2. Notification: The County Department of Agriculture will be notified of all category "A" rated noxious weeds. Adjacent landowners (private, state and federal) will be notified if noxious weeds are located adjacent to or on their properties.
3. Control: Where possible, a program to contain, control, and eliminate noxious weeds will be implemented.
4. Monitoring: Treatments will be monitored for effectiveness.
5. Participation in cooperative efforts to control noxious weeds will be encouraged.

Q. California Department of Fish and Game

1. Provide technical support, especially when weed control relates to the management of native wildlife and plants.
2. Practice responsible control of noxious weed infestations on lands managed by California Department of Fish and Game.
3. Permit research on the control of noxious weeds on California Department of Fish and Game lands when proposed research methods are compatible with the management objectives of the subject property.

R. Sierra Consulting

1. Provide technical consulting on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques for noxious weed management.
2. Promote and assist in public education for noxious weed management.
3. Provide research and demonstration for integrated noxious weed management.
4. Provide noxious weed management application and technology.
5. Act as liaison with other California agencies and organizations dealing with noxious weed management, such as; California Exotic Pest Plant Council, Western Weed Science Society, California Agricultural Production Consultants Association IPM Committee.

S. Bureau of Land Management

1. Educate the public about noxious weeds, their identification and methods of control.
2. Identify and map noxious weed infestations on public lands.
3. Promote the prevention and control of noxious weeds on federal lands.
4. Support and assist other agencies and interested parties in noxious weed prevention and control.

T. High Sierra Resource Conservation and Development Council

1. Provide coordination and information on regional issues related to noxious weed control.
2. Support the El Dorado Noxious Weed Group's efforts in control and prevention of noxious weeds.

V. AGREEMENT

It is mutually agreed upon and understood by and between the said parties that:

A. All partners will meet for the purpose of developing, documenting, and implementing a long range plan to control and suppress or eradicate noxious weed infestations in El Dorado County.

B. During these meetings, annually identify and document a coordinated plan using the agreed upon methods of controlling noxious weeds.

C. Partners will seek and support funding for the Noxious Weed Management Group programs. Resources and other requirements for implementing the collaborative programs and activities are necessary. The represented entities will not have the necessary resources from other sources to support all these activities from their own budgets. Therefore, partners will jointly and individually seek funding and other support form other sources.

D. Termination. Any partner(s), in writing, may terminate their participation in the instrument in whole, or in part, at any time before the date of expiration. This agreement may be terminated by majority and the Group thereby disbanded. In the event of termination, each party will assume financial and other responsibilities for the completion of required and agreed upon activities or such responsibilities must be modified by mutual written agreement.

E. Participation in Similar Activities. This instrument in no way restricts the cooperators from participating in similar activities with other public or private agencies, organizations, and individuals.

F. Effective Date. This instrument is executed as of the last date shown below and expires on December 31, 2004 at which time it will be subject to review, renewal or expiration.

G. PRINCIPAL CONTACTS: The principal contacts for this instrument are:

Charles Mehrten, President
Amador/El Dorado/Sacramento Cattlemen's Association
P.O. Box 5084
El Dorado Hills, CA 95762

Ross O'Connell
California Department of Food and Agriculture
1220 N Street, Room A-357
Sacramento, CA 95814

Mark Stanley
Amador-El Dorado Ranger District
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
2840 Mt. Danaher Road
Camino, CA 95709

Sue Britting
El Dorado Chapter, California Native Plant Society
P.O. Box 377
Coloma, CA 95613

Duane Scheurer
California Department of Transportation, District III
P.O. Box 911
Marysville, CA 95901

Don Spear
El Dorado County Department of Transportation
2850 Fair Lane Court
Placerville, CA 95667

Helen Baumann, Supervisor District II
El Dorado County Board of Supervisors
330 Fair Lane
Placerville, CA 95667

Bill Snodgrass, Agricultural Commissioner
El Dorado County Department of Agriculture
311 Fair Lane
Placerville, CA 95667

Wendy West, Executive Director
El Dorado County Farm Bureau
2460 Headington Road
Placerville, CA 95667

Leslie Spinney, Office Coordinator
El Dorado County Resource Conservation District
100 Forni Road, Ste. A
Placerville, CA 95667

Leslie Spinney, Office Coordinator
Georgetown Resource Conservation District
100 Forni Road, Ste. A
Placerville, CA 95667

Jim Kimmel, District Conservationist
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
100 Forni Road, Ste. A
Placerville, CA 95667

Vince Scoville
Placerville Pest Control Center
5761 Pleasant Valley Road
Placerville, CA 95667

Bill Frost, El Dorado County Director
U.C. Cooperative Extension
311 Fair Lane
Placerville, CA 95667

Dianna Brink
U.S. Forest Service
100 Forni Road
Placerville, CA 95667

Ken Somers/Robert Little
Sierra Pacific Industries
P. O. Box 680
Camion, CA 95709

Julie Horenstein
California Department of Fish and Game
1701 Nimbus Rd.
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670

Don Bartel
Sierra Consulting
2800 Westville Trail
Cool, CA 95614

Al Franklin
Bureau of Land Management
63 Natoma St
Folsom, CA 95630

Bob Roan, Project Coordinator
High Sierra Resources Conservation and Development Council
251 Auburn Ravine #201
Auburn, CA 95603

H. Non-Fund Obligating Document. This instrument is neither a fiscal nor a funds obligation document. Any endeavor involving reimbursement or contribution of funds between the partners 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. Specifically, this instrument does not establish authority for noncompetitive 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 competition.

I. Modification. Modifications within the scope of this instrument shall be made by the issuance of a bilaterally executed modification prior to any changes being performed.

J. Each principal party shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless each of the other Principal parties, their officers, employees, and agents from any and all liability, loss, expense (including reasonable attorneys' fees) or claims for injury or damages arising out of the performance of this MOU but only in proportion to and to the extent such liability, loss, expense, attorneys' fees, or claims for injury or damages are caused by or result from the negligent or intentional acts or omissions the indemnifying Principal Parties, their officers, agents, or employees.

VI. EFFECTIVE DATE

This Memorandum of Understanding may be executed in counterparts, all of which together shall constitute a fully executed instrument. In witness thereof, the partners hereto have executed this agreement as of the written date below:

(note: hard copy of original signatures available at the El Dorado County Department of Agriculture (530) 621-5520)