APPENDICES A. Invasive Weeds within the VMMM Project Area B. Native <strong>Plan</strong>ts within the VMMM Project Area C. Volunteer Projects D. Mitigation Area Maps E. Bucket Watering System ________________________________________________________________________ <strong>Vegetation</strong> <strong>Management</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Maintenance</strong> Manual Draft ii July 27, 2007
CHAPTER 1.0 INTRODUCTION The <strong>Watsonville</strong> Wetl<strong>and</strong>s Trail System encompasses approximately six miles of multi-use recreational trails in the City of <strong>Watsonville</strong>. The trails traverse portions of <strong>Watsonville</strong> Slough <strong>and</strong> Struve Slough <strong>and</strong> abut multiple urban l<strong>and</strong> uses, including residential areas, commercial developments, school facilities, <strong>and</strong> City recreational areas. The trail system <strong>and</strong> slough areas addressed in this manual are depicted on Figure 1. The <strong>Watsonville</strong> Wetl<strong>and</strong>s Trail <strong>Vegetation</strong> <strong>Management</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Maintenance</strong> Manual (VMMM) identifies the location <strong>and</strong> treatment methods to be used by the City’s maintenance personnel, contractors, <strong>and</strong>/or volunteer groups to remove <strong>and</strong>/or control the growth of weeds <strong>and</strong> invasive, non-native plant species within the trail system project area. The manual also outlines strategies to encourage native plant growth that will reduce the need for long-term weed control. The City of <strong>Watsonville</strong> has implemented several riparian <strong>and</strong> wetl<strong>and</strong> plantings along the slough trails, providing mitigation for bridge <strong>and</strong> trail improvement projects. The VMMM identifies these areas <strong>and</strong> the specific maintenance <strong>and</strong> monitoring requirements that are applicable to these mitigation plantings. 1.1 STUDY METHODOLOGY 1.1.1 Existing <strong>Vegetation</strong> Types <strong>and</strong> <strong>Management</strong> Areas The existing vegetation types in the VMMM project area were mapped during the City’s preparation of the Trail <strong>Plan</strong> (Swanson Hydrology & Geomorphology, 2002). Nine plant community types were observed within the trail study area. These plant communities are nonnative grassl<strong>and</strong>, blackberry scrub, ruderal (weedy) scrub, coyote brush scrub, non-native trees/tree groves, willow riparian woodl<strong>and</strong>, freshwater marsh, <strong>and</strong> seasonal wetl<strong>and</strong>s. Field surveys conducted for the VMMM confirmed the current distribution of these habitat types <strong>and</strong> identified recent City-designated riparian <strong>and</strong> wetl<strong>and</strong> mitigation <strong>and</strong> enhancement areas; the distribution of the vegetation types <strong>and</strong> mitigation/enhancement areas is shown on Figures 2, 3, <strong>and</strong> 4. 1.1.2 Existing Invasive Weeds, Infestation Areas, <strong>and</strong> Threat Rankings The occurrence of invasive weeds (i.e., invasive, non-native species) within the project area was identified <strong>and</strong> mapped during field surveys conducted in February, March, May, <strong>and</strong> June 2007. The infestations were mapped as line features, polygons, or spot locations by GPS or h<strong>and</strong> drawn onto aerial photos. The GPS <strong>and</strong> h<strong>and</strong> drawn data was supplied to the City’s GIS coordinator to develop a GIS data layer (i.e., “distribution of invasive weeds”). Potential vegetation management or maintenance areas were also identified, such as vegetation types or plant species that may require periodic maintenance (e.g., willow riparian woodl<strong>and</strong> that abuts a trail <strong>and</strong> pruning or other maintenance may be required now or in the future). Based on the type <strong>and</strong> extent of invasive weeds in the project area, the species/species locations were categorized as high, moderate, or low threat. A species growth pattern, extent within the project area, effect on native vegetation, <strong>and</strong> ability to spread into uninfected areas were used to <strong>Vegetation</strong> <strong>Management</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Maintenance</strong> Manual Draft 1 July 27, 2007
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