Transportation Conference Transportation Conference OverviewOverview

August 29 – 30, 2006August 29 – 30, 2006Donald B. CoberDonald B. Cober

Technical Resource SpecialistTechnical Resource Specialist

Maryland State Highway AdministrationMaryland State Highway Administration

Technical Resources Team Technical Resources Team

Supports the program of the Landscape Supports the program of the Landscape Operations DivisionOperations Division

Provides recommendations to design, Provides recommendations to design, construction and maintenance engineers on construction and maintenance engineers on vegetation management vegetation management

Conducts erosion and sediment control and Conducts erosion and sediment control and pesticide registration and pretest certification pesticide registration and pretest certification trainingtraining

Develops Nutrient Management PlansDevelops Nutrient Management Plans

Impetus for Invasive Vegetation Impetus for Invasive Vegetation ManagementManagement

Maryland State LawsMaryland State Laws State Highway Administration Business Plan State Highway Administration Business Plan

(2002-2007)(2002-2007) Customer complaintsCustomer complaints Invasive Species of Concern in Maryland Invasive Species of Concern in Maryland

LawsLaws

Seed Seed Prohibited weed seedsProhibited weed seeds Restricted weed seedsRestricted weed seeds

PlantsPlants Prohibited from going to seed and spreadProhibited from going to seed and spread Controlled because they are on MDOT rights of Controlled because they are on MDOT rights of

wayway

Prohibited Weed SeedsProhibited Weed Seeds

JohnsongrassJohnsongrass

ShattercaneShattercane

Thistles-bull,Canada,Thistles-bull,Canada,

musk & plumeless musk & plumeless

Annual BluegrassAnnual Bluegrass

BermudagrassBermudagrass

BindweedBindweed

CockleburCocklebur

Corn CockleCorn Cockle

DodderDodder

Giant FoxtailGiant Foxtail

Horse Nettle Horse Nettle

Spurred AnodaSpurred Anoda

Wild GarlicWild Garlic

Wild OnionWild Onion

PlantsPlants

JohnsongrassJohnsongrass thistlesthistles Multiflora roseMultiflora rose PhagmitesPhagmites Tree of HeavenTree of Heaven

JohnsongrassJohnsongrass

Canada thistle

Multiflora roseMultiflora rose

PhragmitesPhragmites

Tree of HeavenTree of Heaven

SHA ProgramSHA Program

SpecificationsSpecifications Preliminary InvestigationPreliminary Investigation DesignDesign ConstructionConstruction MaintenanceMaintenance

Specifications for Construction and Specifications for Construction and Materials Materials

Salvaged topsoilSalvaged topsoil Containing any parts of Johnsongrass, Canada Containing any parts of Johnsongrass, Canada

thistle and phragmites will be evaluated on how to thistle and phragmites will be evaluated on how to be managedbe managed

Furnished topsoilFurnished topsoil Containing any parts of Johnsongrass, Canada Containing any parts of Johnsongrass, Canada

thistle and phragmites will be rejectedthistle and phragmites will be rejected

Preliminary InvestigationPreliminary Investigation

Soil boring engineers review layout of future Soil boring engineers review layout of future highwayhighway

Scout for invasive plantsScout for invasive plants Record informationRecord information In the soil survey reportIn the soil survey report

DesignDesign

Plan sheetsPlan sheets Locations Locations Species Species

ConstructionConstruction

Project engineers consult the Landscape Project engineers consult the Landscape Operations Division or the MD Department of Operations Division or the MD Department of Agriculture for assistance in invasive plants:Agriculture for assistance in invasive plants: Identification Identification Developing a management planDeveloping a management plan

TreatingTreating Burying Burying

MaintenanceMaintenance

Herbicide treatmentsHerbicide treatments MowingMowing Woody vegetation managementWoody vegetation management

Integrated Vegetation Management Integrated Vegetation Management Manual for Maryland Highways Manual for Maryland Highways

(IVMMFMH) (IVMMFMH)

ProgrPrograamm

SHA’s Integrated Vegetation ManagementSHA’s Integrated Vegetation Management

Manual for Maryland Highways (IVMMFMH)Manual for Maryland Highways (IVMMFMH) PolicyPolicy PersonnelPersonnel Individual treatments for specific vegetation Individual treatments for specific vegetation

control control

Program Program EffortsEfforts

SHA teams (28 shops)SHA teams (28 shops) Contract teamsContract teams

IndustryIndustry Local contractors –time and equipment Local contractors –time and equipment

Local governmentsLocal governments 23 counties23 counties

12 weed control boards12 weed control boards

HerbicidesHerbicides

Supplied by the AdministrationSupplied by the Administration Purchased from 3-4 vendorsPurchased from 3-4 vendors Contract termsContract terms

Contract is open to all state and local governmentsContract is open to all state and local governments Initial shipments are due in MarchInitial shipments are due in March Additional shipments may be required through September Additional shipments may be required through September

30 at the same unit price30 at the same unit price Basal stem/cut stump treatment contract is for the calendar Basal stem/cut stump treatment contract is for the calendar

yearyear

Tree of HeavenTree of Heaven

Canada thistle

PhragmitesPhragmites

JohnsongrassJohnsongrass

Multiflora roseMultiflora rose

Herbicide TestingHerbicide Testing

Technical Resources Team tests all new productsTechnical Resources Team tests all new products Look at safety to the applicator and the environmentLook at safety to the applicator and the environment Evaluate the restrictions (must be nonrestricted)Evaluate the restrictions (must be nonrestricted) Compare to a standard if one existsCompare to a standard if one exists

For performanceFor performance Cost per acreCost per acre

If acceptable, approve for the IVMMFMHIf acceptable, approve for the IVMMFMH

Too HotToo Hot

Thank YouThank You

Thank youThank you

Questions?Questions?