Agmt 2007 California State Coastal Conservancy

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INVASIVE SPARTINA PROJECT (]SP) . Of the total 1,750 acres treated, 1,350 acres, or 77%, were treated aerially. The ISP was able to utilize aerial applications to efficiently treat large stands of Spartina much earlier than in previous years. The scientific literature has shown that earlier treatment is much more effective, and allows for a longer treatment window when tides, weather and plant life history are more appropriate for herbicide applications. The initial observations from the early season treatment in 2006 is very promising; ifthese early observable impacts to the invasive Spartina are indicative of mortality (that cannot be accurately measured until late spring of 2007), the ISP should achieve 70-90% efficacy across large areas of marsh. In 2006, ISP made considerable progress toward unifying the efforts of the various partners and grantees around the Estuary. This involved workshops and training sessions, as well as numerous on-site meetings and discussions with ISP partners throughout the year. Adding to this network of informed and empowered land managers are the many citizens who have been educated about the Spartina control effort through media publications, public meetings, Estuary-wide signage, and other outreach efforts. Project Description for 2007 Control Pro2ram By treating 94% of the Spartina infestation in 2006 (halting. seed production on the vast majority), the ISP's efforts should reverse the expansion of non-native Spartina and gain control over the entire infestation. Therefore, future treatment seasons will focus on advancing beyond control to eradication by re-treating sites previously treated where necessary to maintain progress, and addressing all remaining untreated stands. Although the overall Spartina acreage in the Estuary IS likely to significantly shrink as a result of the 2005/2006 control work, annual costs associated with continued control in 2007 will . increase. Herbicide has represented roughly 60% of the costs for 2005 and 2006 treatment efforts, with labor and administration making up the remaining 40%. In subsequent treatment seasons, scattered, difficult-to-access populations of non-native Spartina will be the norm, necessitating increased labor costs associated with the extra time invflved in treating these areas. I The proposed authorization would allow an expenditure of up to $11,250,868 of the WCB grant (See "Project Financing") to supplement minimal amounts remaining in existing treatment grants. Other than funding from the ERP grant for monitoring, funding for management is also nearly expended. The proposed authorization would allow an expenditure of up to $949,907 ofConservan.cy Proposition 50 funding for continued management. While the nature, extent and scope of the region-wide coordination, and treatment and eradication projects, have not changed from what was described in connection with the 2005 and 2006 authorizations, it has always been anticipated that additional funding would be needed each year to cover the costs of management and operations through 2011. Building upon partnerships and the successful regional coordination in 2004 through 2006, ISP will continue the same aggressive strategy for 2007. This will involve coordination for re-treating the same sites where partial infestation may have returned, and adding a majority of the remaining phased sites for initial treatment. ISP consultants 5 tWiWIT 4