Hi Everyone,
Just a report on the meeting last night (See the recording sheets typed
up below). We had 16 people including the Weed Supervisor and myself.
It was bitterly cold with strong winds and the road had frozen to ice.
The TV was advising that people not go out. A number of people called
to say they couldn't make it and we got 5 vision sheets back from the
letter I gave out on the road.
It was a heart-warming meeting with everyone giving support and the Weed
Supervisor was wonderful. Everyone was quite encouraged by his ability
to communicate and his support. Now, if he can withstand pressures from
the ole boy network and I think he can and if the rest of the Weed
Committee can get behind this project, it'll be a lot of fun.
Following is a typed copy of the newsprint recording sheets we had up
and wrote as we talked. We worked in one group and skipped the "Worst
case scenarios" because everyone there was supporting the program. The
ranchers who were given letters and called too, didn't feel comfortable
enough to come. Maybe next time! It was a good start and gave me
something substantial to work from in making out a plan and budget
(later).
Thanks to all who came out in the storm. You were great!
I'll let you know how the Weed Committee Meeting tonight comes out.
Merla
* * * * * * * *
Rapid Lightning Road
Neighborhood Weed Control Project
Meeting - March 6, 2002 - Northside School
Recorded suggestions by those present in a Holistic Management Process
VISION FOR THE ROAD
Driving down Rapid Lightning between May and September we would see wild
flowers of various heights, native grasses, bees, butterflies and birds
(especially blue birds), clean air, clean water, juvenal fish in the
creeks, microorganisms (Micorrhyzal fungi, etc.) in the soil, a
well-maintained roadbed, no dust pollution, open spaces instead of
suburban sprawl, e.g., a picturesque project that we all accomplished
together. (This would be a feather in Bonner County Commissioners� and
Bonner County Noxious Weed Advisory Committee�s caps!)
BELIEFS AND BEHAVIORS THAT NEED TO BE CHANGED
Rapid Lightning Road Residents:
1. We can get more residents involved on the road by educating them with
a newsletter and planning fun activities for the road around weed
control.
2. We can keep better records of actual work done by residents which
includes work on their own right-of-ways and even work done on their own
property.
Bonner County Noxious Weed Advisory Committee
1. The Weed Committee can get behind the Rapid Lightning Neighborhood
Weed Control Project and give good support. If we are really in favor
of Integrated Pest Management practices, then it would be a feather in
the county�s cap if this project succeeds.
2. When comparing the cost of herbicide use with sustainable practices,
we can include the costs to residents when herbicide is used, not just
the cost of the herbicide and its deployment to the county. Medical
costs for increased asthma in children are up 154% nationally. Other
costs, for example are for medical care and loss of work because of
hyper allergic reactions to herbicide (Glen Bashore) , loss of organic
certification and loss of premium prices for product for organic growers
who have been sprayed, loss of a sense of well-being and shortening of
life for cancer patients.
STRATEGIES & ACTIONS WE NEED TO TAKE TO ACCOMPLISH OUR VISION
Formulate a plan and budget to access in 2002 the remainder of the funds
that have already been allocated to us by the state.
This would include:
EDUCATION AND PREVENTION
1. Publish a quarterly newsletter for the road with weeds identified,
tips on weed control and campaigns, e.g. Signs on the road encouraging
everyone to get out and handpull knapweed after a rain.
ERADICATION
2. Seed allelopathic plants (rye and oats) to complete with the weeds
3. Deploy biological controls for knapweed and thistle
Get a graduate student of the U. of I. to do research with us (Dr. Mark
Schwarzl�ender, 208 885-9319)
4. Deep mulch
with leaves and other organic matter (5 mi. strip)
Typar (moisture barrier) makes a good mulch
5. Graze goats and sheep with portable electric fencing
6. Hire a group (incarcerated prisoners) to pull/dig knapweed and tansy
on the absentee landowners� right-of-ways
RESTORATION
7. Seed native broadleaf plants and grasses (Plantain minor and major,
penstemon, yarrow, vetch, red clover, crimson clover, white clover,
black medic, heal�s all, sedge, kinnickinnick, pearly everlasting,
Centaurea Montana, shepherd�s purse, red sorrel, miner�s lettuce,
chickweed, etc. [Lois Wythe, Consultant])
a) Hydroseed a mix of forbs and grasses (using Priest Lake machine)
on the right-of-way
b) Hydroseed steep banks with clover
CONTAINMENT
8. Use tax money which is allocated for spraying herbicide for mowing
twice
a) with rotary mower where feasible
b) on gravel road with sickle bar mower to avoid dust (Robert
Coles)
9. Use two professional-grade weedwhackers wielded by residents, one on
each side, for final clean up of the road beyond what the mower can
reach
RECORD KEEPING AND REPORTING
10. Take pictures with a digital camera
11. Make test plots on every demonstration area where noxious weeds
and other data are counted at regular intervals
12. Submit final report in the fall of 2002
