gino graziano division of agriculture [email protected]
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Division of Agriculture Projects and Coordination Challenges With Invasive Weeds and Agricultural Pests Management. Gino Graziano Division of Agriculture [email protected]. Strategic Planning and Regulation Review – Update. Public planning meeting held March 2009 - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Division of Agriculture Projects and Coordination Challenges With Invasive Weeds and Agricultural
Pests Management
Gino GrazianoDivision of Agriculture
Strategic Planning and Regulation Review – Update
• Public planning meeting held March 2009
• Plan is drafted, pending final edits it will be out for review shortly
• Regulation review will be forthcoming Ag staff presented information on
strategic planning and how to participate at workshops and conferences in addition to the regular planning meeting.
Horticulture Industry Coordination
• One of many pathways for introduction
• These businesses are where consumers get products and information
• Non-regulatory approach
Purple loosestrife infestation in Westchester lagoon, Anchorage could affect salmon and waterfowl.
Late blight could devastate the potato industry.
Horticulture Industry Coordination• Facilitate development of
cooperative measures to promote public– Prevention– Management– Cooperation– Purchase of preferred
products• Ag will promote program– Develop/distribute
outreach materials– Air Public Service
Announcements
Horticulture is one of the largest agriculture sectors in Alaska.
Spotted Knapweed Eradication• Recorded at 23 locations• Persists at 7• Decreases agricultural production• Decreases forage available for game• Division of Ag is- Managing each
infestation- Developing report
to continue efforts
Knapweed infested farm in Montana,Knapweed costs Montana economy $14 million/year.
Ag and partners work with the Railroad. Alaska project cost is approximately $60,000/year.
Spotted Knapweed Eradication
• Early Detection- Need increased participation of agencies
• Equipment washing needs to be increased
• Tongass National Forest requires equipment washing for projects in remote areas- need to address all areas
Knapweed infestation on Turnagain arm (left) and Tongass N.F. road outside of Kake (right).
Contaminated equipment. Washing is necessary especially when equipment is from outside.
Canada thistle management - Anchorage• Thistle impacts:– Agricultural– Forage for game
• Prevalent on Anchorage Roadsides
• Limited distribution in the rest of Southcentral
• Delta Junction eradicated thistle
• Kenai Peninsula CWMA will eradicate
Thistle infestation in Homer, Alaska
Thistle is widely distributed in Anchorage
Rack cards can help the public ID and report infestations
Canada thistle management - Anchorage
• DOT willing to participate in mowing – No other help with control
• AK railroad managing thistle on property
• Significant attention needed for private land
Thistle infestation bordering Anchorage neighborhood
Thistle infests numerous sites on Anchorage road system
Partnering – Agencies and the Public
• Partnering with• Producers and
interested groups• Cooperative Weed
Management Areas• Federal agencies strong
partners• State agencies/divisions
slowly coming on board
Forest Service personnel assist in managing knapweed
Ag staff participate in local workshops
Partnering – Agencies and the Public• Provide project specific
recommendations– State agencies seeking
control advise– DOT, State Parks, ANILCA
office– Municipalities
• Provide presentations and trainings
Knotweed shown here infesting a SE Alaska beach is common on SE Alaska roadsides
Canada thistle infestation on roadside
Summary
• Significant progress is being made• Division of Agriculture is developing
partnerships and projects with multiple agencies
• State and some fed agencies need direction from their leaders to participate