State of Alabama FINAL Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CIAP ...

GRASSES/ WEEDS
• Cogongrass: Colony-forming dense erect perennial grass; Branching rhizomes form dense mat
that suppress native vegetation; Aggressively invades right-of-ways, forests, pastures, etc.; Destroys
wildlife habitat; Spread by wind dispersed seeds; Poses severe fire hazard
VINES
• Japanese Climbing Fern: Perennial vine-like fern; Spread by wind dispersed spores; Found
along highway right-of-ways around bridges; Can invade streams and swamps; Generally scattered
in timber stands, but can increase in cover to form mats that smother native shrubs and trees;
Dead vines provide trellis for reestablishment
• Kudzu: Perennial vine; Can be found along edges of forests, pastures, right-of-ways, and around
cities and towns; Introduced for forage and erosion control; Herbicides, overgrazing, and
mechanical root removal have proven to be effective in controlling this vine.
Selective herbicide methods include foliar sprays, stem injection, cut-tree, basal sprays, and soil spots.
Herbicide application from direct foliar sprays is the most cost effective method. Other methods provide
an integrated approach, such as hand-pulling and prescribed burns.
The goal of this initiative is to manage the threat of invasive exotic plant species in Baldwin County parks
and along County right-of-ways.
The objectives to accomplish the goal of this initiative are to provide education and training to county
personnel and the purchase of equipment and supplies needed to manage these invasive plant species.
Education and training will be provided to approximately twenty personnel from the Parks Department
and the Highway Department. This would involve two 4-hour classes of training to identify the most
common and prolific species in Baldwin County and discussion of methods of treatment. An additional
two 4-hour classes will be held to discuss the more technical aspects, such as the proper mix ratios of
chemical treatment methods and demonstration methods on treatment of invasive plants. Approximately
six staff members will also attend additional training required to be licensed as a Certified Herbicide
Applicator.
Equipment to be purchased includes four backpack sprayers and an all-terrain vehicle with a 25-gallon
mounted sprayer for use by the Parks Department in their application of chemical herbicides. The
Highway Department will purchase three 350 gallon truck mounted herbicide sprayers. In addition, the
purchase of chemical herbicides and surfactants, which can be as much as $100 per 2 ½ gallon jugs, will be
another component of the objective. A nuisance species management guide book will be produced to
provide personnel with assistance in the proper treatment of the most common species. After the training
seminars, Parks Department personnel will identify sites within County parks and on right-of-ways that are
threatened by invasive exotic species. The sites will then be treated following the treatment guidelines
outlined in the guidebook. The construction of two secure, well-ventilated buildings with approximately
200 square feet of storage for the herbicide is an additional need that will be addressed by this initiative.
State of Alabama Final Coastal Impact Assistance Program Plan
Baldwin County Tier One Project Descriptions
- 135 -