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HomeMy Public PortalAbout20061129 - Agenda Packet - Board of Directors (BOD) - 06-28 i I Regional Open Spruce MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Meeting 06-28 SPECIAL MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT 6:00 P.m. � Wednesday, November 29, 2006 330 Distel Circle, Los Altos, California AGENDA STUDY SESSION ON DR AFT SUDDEN OAK DEATH MANAGEMENT POLICY 6:00 Introduction of Guest Presenter/ Study Session Outline—Cindy Roessler 6:05 Presentation— Dr. Jennifer Parke, Oregon State University Susan Frankel, US Forest Service 6:35 Presentation of Draft Policy— Cindy Roessler 6:45 Board/Public Discussion of Draft Policy Regional Open Space MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Meeting 06-28 SPECIAL MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 29, 2006 330 Distel Circle, Los Altos, California Please Note: 5:30 p.m. Special Meeting Closed Session Start Tirne 6:00 p.m, Special Meeting Study Session on Draft Sudden Oak Death Management Policy Start Time 7:30 p.m. Special Meeting Start Time AGENDA* 5:30 ROLL CALL CLOSED SESSION The Special Meeting Closed Session will begin at 5:30 p,rn. At the conclusion of the Closed Session, the Board will adjourn the Closed Session to the Special Meeting, and, at the conclusion of the Special Meeting, the Board may reconvene the Closed Session. Conference with Real Property Negotiator—California Government Code § 54956.8 Real Property — Peninsula Open Space Trust(Driscoll Ranch) property (San Mateo County Assessor's Parcel Numbers 078-270-010, -020, -030; 078-290-010, -020, -030, -060; 082-140-020; 082-170-010, -040, located in unincorporated San Mateo County adjacent to Highway 84) as an addition to La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve Agency Negotiator— L. Craig Britton and Mike Williams Negotiating Party— Rudy Driscoll Under Negotiation — Price and Terms 6:00 Special Meeting of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Study Session on the Draft Sudden Oak Death Management Policy 7:30* CONVENE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT ROLL CALL ORAL COMMUNICATIONS— Public ADOPTION OF AGENDA—J. Cyr Meeting 06-28 Page 2 BOARD BUSINESS 7:40* 1 Authorization for General Manager to Negotiate and Execute an Agreement to Fund Three Years of Research with the USDA Forest Service on Tanoak Resistance to Sudden Oak Death and Determine that the Recommended Actions are Categorically Exempt Under the California Environmental Quality Act as set Forth in this report and Authorize the General Manager to Negotiate and Execute an Agreement with the USDA Forest Service, in an Amount not to Exceed $60,000 Over Three Years, for Conducting Research on the Resistance of Tanoaks to the Sudden Oak Death Pathogen. —C. Roessler 8:00* 2 Annual Update of Resource Management Program and Receiving an Oral Report on the Status of Resource Management Program (no formal Board Action is Required). —C. Roessler 9:00* 3 Implement a Retiree Health Savings Plan; Amending the 401(a) Plan to Allow Accrued Leave Pre-Tax Contributions; Personnel Policy Manual Amendment to Reflect Required Changes to the Sick Leave Conversion Language; Adopting Resolution Implementing a Retiree Health Savings Plan; Adopting Resolution Amending the District's 401(2) Plan to Allow Accrued Leave Pre-Tax Contributions and Adopting Resolution Amending the District's Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual to Reflect the Proposed Changes to the Sick Leave Conversion Language— S. Rice 9:05 INFORMATIONAL REPORTS— Reports on cornpensable meetings attended. Brief Reports or announcements concerning activities of District Directors and Staff-, opportunity to refer public or Board questions to staff for factual information; request staff to report back to the Board on matter at a future meeting; or direct staff to place a matter on a future agenda. 9:20* ADJOURNMENT Times are estimated and items may appear earlier or later than listed. Agenda is subject to change of order. TO ADDRESS THE BOARD: The Chair will invite public comment on agenda items at the time each item is considered by the Board of'Directors. You may address the Board concerning other matters during Oral Communications. Each speaker will ordinarily be limited to three minutes. Alternately,you may comment to the Board by a written communication, which the Board appreciates. All items on the consent calendar may be approved without discussion by one motion. Board members, the General Manager, and members of'the public may request that an item be removed fi-omthe Consent Calendar during consideration qfthe Consent Calendar, In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need assistance to participate in this meeting,please contact the District Clerk at(650)691-1200. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the District to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting. Regional Open Space MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT R-06-130 Meeting 06-28 November 29, 2006 AGENDA ITEM I AGENDA ITEM Authorize the General Manager to Negotiate and Execute an Agreement in an amount not to exceed $60,000 to Fund Three Years of Research with the"USDA; orest Service on Tanoak Resistance to Sudden Oak Death GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMEND TIO 1. Determine that the recommended actions are categorically exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act as set forth in this report. 2. Authorize the General Manager to negotiate and execute an Agreement with the USDA Forest Service, in an amount not to exceed $60,000 over three years, for conducting research on the resistance of tanoaks to the Sudden Oak Death pathogen. DISCUSSION Sudden Oak Death (SOD) is a disease that has killed over one million native oak and tanoak trees and infests many other forest species in one Oregon and 14 coastal California counties. Hundreds of dead tanoak trees and other symptoms of the SOD pathogen, Phytophthora ramorum, are commonly seen on the District's preserves. SOD has been confirmed on the following 17 District preserves: El Corte de Madera, La Honda, Thornewood, Windy Hill, Coal Creek, Russian Ridge, Skyline Ridge, Long Ridge, Saratoga Gap, Los Trancos, Monte Bello, Picchetti, Fremont Older, El Sereno, St. Joseph's Hill, Bear Creek, and the Loma Prieta portion of Sierra Azul. Continued high mortality of tanoak could substantially alter ecosystems and associated wildlife habitat, increase fire hazard and cause visual impacts to the District preserves. There currently is no cure for SOD, and as with other extensive forest diseases, an effective strategy may take decades to develop. On December 14, 2005, the Board adopted a ten-year work plan for SOD consisting of three objectives: • Map oak trees on District Preserves that are potentially resistant to the SOD pathogen. • Treat a selected number of heritage oak trees on District Preserves that are susceptible to SOD. • Establish collaborative funding for SOD research to help guide land management decisions. The Pacific Southwest Research Station of the U.S Department of Agriculture Forest Service (USDA-FS) is seeking support for research on the resistance of tanoaks to the SOD pathogen. Staff recommends that the District join the USDA-FS and the US Park Service in co-funding this research since it matches the first and third objectives of the District's SOD ten-year work plan, R-06-130 Page 2 as well as meeting the District's overall priorities to fund research that provides useful information on the status and management of critical resources on District preserves. Scientists with USDA-FS and the University of California Berkeley (UCB) would conduct the research. The District would participate by funding the research and providing in-kind services. RESEARCH PROPOSAL The research proposal consists of collecting and testing samples from tanoak trees to determine if these trees exhibit genetic resistance to SOD. The goal is to identify individual trees that are resistant to SOD, and understand the genetic variation of tanoak populations to assist in potential future programs to replant tanoaks in heavily infested SOD areas. Collection of tanoak acorns and leaves occurred in Fall 2006 in six geographically distinct locations in the current range of SOD in California and Oregon and may occur at the same or new locations in Fall 2007. The acorns will be germinated for subsequent testing. Resistance testing will occur on greenhouse seedlings in 2007, and on seedlings grown in an infested forest from 2007 to 2009. Testing of seedling growth patterns will be conducted at a nursery from 2006 to 2009. Molecular testing of the collected leaves will occur in 2007 to determine the genetic variance within and among the collected populations. Five main research components are described in further detail below. Acorns and leaves collected from District lands will be included in all phases of the study and compared to tanoak populations in other parts of California and Oregon. 1. Acorn and Leaf Collection - Acorns and leaves were collected from tanoak trees in Curry County, Oregon; Mendocino County; Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County; Blodgett Forest, El Dorado County; Midpeninsula Regional Open Space Preserves, San Mateo and Santa Cruz Counties; and Big Sur, Monterey County, California in Fall 2006. These acorns and leaves will be used for the testing described in the four additional research phases described below. A second round of collection may occur in Fall 2007. From mid-August through early October 2006, 54 individuals (District staff and volunteers, and staff from California State Parks, San Mateo County Parks, Santa Clara County Parks, and San Francisco Watershed) searched 37 preserves, parks and private properties in the Santa Cruz Mountains for acorn-laden tanoak trees. Although the acorn crop was low this year, extensive searching found 31 suitable trees from which 2962 acorns were collected. Collections ranged from Purisima Creek Redwoods in the north, Loma Prieta Road in the east, to Mount Madonna County Park in the extreme southerly reach of the Santa Cruz Mountains. The wide range of these trees is likely to provide greater genetic diversity among the collected acorns and thus provide a better chance of finding resistance trees. Selected trees were mapped, marked and evaluated according to the research protocol, and collected acorns were sorted, marked and properly stored prior to transferring to the UCB researchers. The staff and volunteer hours contributed to this effort are equivalent to $14,790 of in-kind value. R-06-130 Page 3 2. Laboratory Resistance—Tanoak acorns will be germinated and grown in UCB greenhouses in December 2006. In summer 2007, leaves or stems from these seedlings will be inoculated with the SOD pathogen and disease responses will be measured to determine potential genetic resistance. 3. Field Test for Resistance—Tanoak seedlings will be planted in a heavily infested SOD forest in Fall 2007, most likely at a location in the Big Sur region. Survival, infection levels and growth patterns will be measured in 2008 and 2009 to determine genetic resistance to SOD under field conditions. 4. Molecular Genetic Testing—Collected leaves will be sampled in 2007 and 2008 at UCB laboratories to provide information on levels of genetic differentiation within and among populations. 5. Growth Study —Acorns will be planted in nursery beds at UCB research land in 2006. Variations in seedling growth and seasonal responses will be measured for three years. This type of research is also referred to as a common garden test and would assist in future programs to decide where to collect resistant acorns. BUDGET Staff recommends that the District fund this research in the amount of$30,000 in fiscal year 2006/7, $15,000 in fiscal year 2007/8, and $15,000 in fiscal year 2008/9. This represents approximately 40% of the total funds required for the 3-year study (totaling approximately $150,000). USDA-FS and the US Park Service will provide the remainder of the funding. The District provided in-kind services (acorn and leaf collection) in the equivalent amount of$14,790 in summer of 2006. If the researchers request another collection of acorns in the Santa Cruz Mountains in Fall 2007, a similar level of effort and in-kind value would be expended in fiscal year 2007/8. The District's fiscal year 2006/7 budget includes $30,000 for SOD research. The District's ten- year SOD work plan provides for an annual amount of$30,000 for SOD research. District funding at this level for this SOD resistance study would allow for District funding of additional SOD research projects in future years. A formal agreement between the District and the USDA-FS will be prepared in USDA-FS format outlining the District's funding levels to support this research and the five specific tasks, as outlined above, to be completed by the researchers. Researchers will provide progress reports to the District every six months. CEQA COMPLIANCE This project is the funding of research on the resistance of tanoak trees to SOD and collecting tanoak acorns and leaves from 30 to 60 trees over a two-year period. The District concludes that these activities will not have a significant effect on the environment. They are categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under sections 15304 and 15306 R-06-130 Page 4 of the CEQA Guidelines as follows: Section 15304 exempts minor alterations in the condition of the land, such as grading, gardening, and landscaping, that do not affect sensitive resources. The acorn collection harvested only a small amount of the acorn crop in the Santa Cruz Mountains and sanitary practices were utilized to control the spread of SOD. Section 15306 exempts basic data collection, research, experimental management, and resource evaluation activities that do not result in major disturbances to an environmental resource. All collected material and use of the SOD pathogen will be conducted in compliance with federal and state regulations to control the spread of SOD. The research work will either be conducted under controlled laboratory or greenhouse conditions, or in already infested forests where researchers will implement sanitary practices. Prepared by: Cindy Roessler, Resource Management Specialist Contact person: Same as above Regional Open Space MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT R-06-129 Meeting 06-28 November 29, 2006 STUDY SESSION ITEM I STUDY SESSION ITEM Study Session to Review Sudden Oak Death Policy GENERAL MANAGER'S RECO W �- Review, discuss and comment on the attached Sudden eath Policy DISCUSSION The Board of Directors prioritized the development of new resource management policies during a workshop held on October 25, 2004,and has subsequently reviewed policies for water resources and grazing. The next resource priority scheduled for a Board workshop is the management of Sudden Oak Death (SOD). After reviewing resource management policies originally adopted by the Board in 1994, staff recommends revising the existing Vegetation Management chapter to address forest diseases in general, and SOD specifically. The proposed SOD management policy text is attached. Revisions to the Vegetation Management chapter are presented in a strikeout/underline version. An implementation measure is added under Policy 4.1 to address forest diseases and SOD. Although Policies 4.2 and 4.3 are presented, detailed implementation measures are not included in the attachment since they are not relevant to the forest disease topic under discussion. Policies 4.2 and 4.3 will be discussed in detail during future policy workshops. Following the study session regarding SOD policies, staff will incorporate the Board's changes. Staff is recommending that any inconsistencies within the resource management policies that arise because of sequential revisions to different sections be addressed at the conclusion of all the specific policy workshops. Additional changes may be necessary to the Vegetation Management chapter as policies regarding forestry, invasive species and ecological succession are addressed at future workshops with the Board. Only those changes relevant to SOD are addressed at this time. On December 14, 2005, the Board adopted a ten-year work plan for SOD consisting of three objectives: • Map oak trees on District Preserves that are potentially resistant to the SOD pathogen. • Treat a selected number of heritage oak trees on District Preserves that are susceptible to SOD. • Establish collaborative funding for SOD research to help guide land management decisions. "I'he draft text presented herein incorporates policy-level measures from the SOD ten-year work plan and other SOD actions the District has undertaken. Specific project-level SOD actions from the ten-year work plan will continue to be included in annual work plans and will be evaluated during development of the next Resource Management 5-Year Strategic Plan. CEQA COMPLIANCE The study session will not result in any action by the Board of Directors subject to CEQA compliance. Prepared by: Cindy Roessler, Resource Management Specialist Contact Person Same as Above __E Attachment A 4 VEGETATION MANAGEMENT Goal: Viable native plant communities characteristic of the region Policies and Implementation Measures 4.1 Maintain the diversity of native plant communities. Sudden Oak Death(SOD) is a disease that has killed • As part of the Resource Management Plan for a preserve or geographic area: map and over one million native oak describe plant communities; analyze successional trends using aerial photographs, and tanoak trees and sequential photographs from set photo points, and where necessary, plant transects; infests many other forest and formulate site-specific vegetation management goals. species in one Oregon and • Identify appropriate areas for restoring lost or altered native plant communities and 14 coastal Cali/brnia counties. Hundreds qJ restore them to a natural condition. This is often best done by restoring natural dead tanoak trees and processes and controlling invasive plants, rather than by planting. (See 3.1 other symptoms oJ'the SOD pathogen, Phytophlhora 0 Manage native grassland sites to encourage reestablishment and perpetuation of ralnorum, are commonly California native grasses. seen on the District's 0 Manage oak woodland to encourage reestablishment and perpetuation of California preserves. There currently is no cure for SOD, and as native oaks. with other extensivejbrest diseases, a strategy may Manage forest diseases when necessary to protect natural biological diversity and take decades to develop. critical ecosystem functions. Regarding Sudden Oak Death (SOD), detect, report and The District has adopted a monitor infested areas: utilize sanitation and best management practices to control the ten-year plan to slow the spread of the SOD pathogen: train staff and educate the public: and support SOD spread oJ*SOD, research to guide land management decisions. collaboratively study impacts on wildland Control invasive non-native plants. (See Section 6.) ecology and recreation, and develop a restoration 4,2 Use native species occurring naturally on similar sites for vegetation replacement or strategv./or heavily infested enhancement projects. 4.3 Protect and enhance habitat for special status plant species. i , Susan Frankel Sudden Oak Death Research Program Manager USDA-Forest Service •■ " Pacific Southwest Research Station Mailing address: P.O. Box 245 Berkeley, CA 94701 510/559-6472 wk 510/559-6440 fax sfrankel(a,)fs.fed.us Susan Frankel is the Sudden Oak Death Research Program Manager, for the USDA- Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station in Albany, CA. Since 2002, this program has awarded approximately$1 million each year for Sudden Oak Death/Phytophthora ramorum research to universities and research organizations worldwide. For nearly 20 years, Susan was a forest pathologist for USDA-FS, Pacific Southwest Region, Forest Health Protection assisting people on pitch canker, nursery pathogens, root diseases and other urban and wildland forest pathogen problems. She was the first chairperson of the California Oak Mortality Task Force (suddenoakdeath.org) and continues to be one of the leaders working to address sudden oak death in California. She received two Master Degrees in Forest Pathology and Silviculture from the University of Washington, Seattle and a B.S. in Plant Pathology from UC Berkeley. II VITA—JENNIFER L. PARKE Position Title: Soil Biologist/Plant Pathologist Rank: Associate Professor(Senior Research) Years in Rank: 5 Funding Source FTE: 75% Contracts Mailing address: 3017 Ag and Life Sciences Building, OSU, Corvallis, OR 97331-7306 Telephone: 541-737-8170 Fax: 541-737-5725 Email: Jennifer.Parke@a oregonstate.edu Education Degree Institution Year Granted B.A. —Biology University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 1975 Ph.D. —Botany & Plant Path. Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 1982 Employment History Position Employer Years Assoc. Professor/Sr. Research Dept. of Crop& Soil Science 2000-Present Dept. of Botany& Plant Pathology Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR Associate Professor Dept. of Crop and Soil Science 1998-2000 Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR Associate Professor(Courtesy) Dept. of Botany& Plant Pathology 1997-1998 Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR Associate Professor Dept. of Plant Pathology 1990-1998 University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI Assistant Professor Dept. of Plant Pathology 1984-1990 University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI Fulbright Postdoctoral Fellow CSIRO Division of Soils, Adelaide, Australia 1983-1984 Postdoctoral Research Assoc. Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 1982-1983 Graduate Research Assistant Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 1976-1982 Curatorial Assistant Farlow Herbarium of Cryptogamic Botany 1975-1976 Harvard University, Cambridge, MA Classes Taught Course No. Title Term(s) taught CSS 305 Principles of Soil Science Fall 1998, Winter 1999 Fall 1999, Winter 2000 BPP 350 Introductory Plant Pathology Fall 2001 Maior Extension Programs As a research faculty member funded solely on grants and contracts, I have no `formal' Extension program, but many of my activities on the Sudden Oak Death pathogen (Phytophthora ramorum) have a strong outreach component. In 2004, 1 was involved in the following: 0 Presented 6 talks to commodity groups and others (Oregon Association of Nurseries, Shade Tree Growers, Rhododendron Growers, Oregon Blueberry Commission, Northwest Center for Small Fruit Research, Master Gardeners) 0 Developed 4 half-day workshops (170 participants) for nursery growers at the N. Willamette Research and Extension Center on symptom recognition, and nursery management to exclude P. ramorum • Lead the effort to develop(with industry representatives, university research and extension workers, and state agricultural agencies) nursery guidelines for the exclusion and eradication of Phytophthora ramorum in nurseries. These were adopted for use by California, Oregon, and Washington • Co-developed national training materials (Phytophthora ramorum Education to Detect Program http://www.ncipmc.org/sod/) about Sudden Oak Death for Master Gardeners, county extension agents, and state regulatory staff. This consists of a Web-based Powerpoint presentation with audio overlay (also available on CD), screening questions to determine the need to submit homeowner samples for Phytophthora ramorum, and photos illustrating symptoms on known hosts. 0 Served as an advisor for production of a Rutgers University video on P. ramorum 0 Served as a 'live' expert for the Oct. 26 national teleconference for the PRED program (>700 participants) 0 Assisted with P. ramorum sections of the 2004 Plant Disease Handbook 0 Initiated and convened a Multi-state Project, "Management of Phytophthora ramorum in U.S. Nurseries" involving 33 members from 8 states. 0 Served on the APHIS-CPHST National Science Panel for Phytophthora ramorum. Provided input to the federal regulatory agency concerning sampling methodologies for P. ramorum in nurseries, ecology and epidemiology Invited Presentations (January 2000—December 2004) Number: 14 List three most recent I. "Phytophthora ramorum disease in nurseries." Sudden Oak Death Conference, Oregon Association of Nurseries, Wilsonville, OR. Aug. 5, 2004 2. "Sudden Oak Death." Keynote address, E. R. Jackman Foundation, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR. Oct. 22, 2004 3. "Phytophthora ramorum and Sudden Oak Death." Advanced Master Gardener Training, Portland, OR. Nov. 20, 2004. Grants and Contracts (January 2000—December 2004) National Competitive—$173,000 List two most recent 1. Role of antibiosis in biocontrol conferred by Burkholderia vietnamiensis AMMDR I (Triplett& Parke) USDA-NRI-CRG (10/l/98-9/30/00) $173,000 Regional Competitive—$536,770 List two most recent 1. Dissemination of Phytophthora ramorum in soil and potting media(Parke) U.S. Forest Service (8/l/04-9/30/05) $79,620 2. Sudden oak death in cultivated blueberries and cranberries: evaluating the potential for disease, detection, and control (Parke, Linderman, Hansen, Hummer)Northwest Center for Small Fruits Research (8/20/03-8/19/05) $60,000 State/Commodity Commission—$108,000 List two most recent 1. Phytophthora ramorum in Oregon nursery crops (Parke& Linderman), Oregon Dept. of Agriculture (3/l/04-2/28/05) $30,000 2. Sudden Oak Death research on blueberries (Parke, Linderman, and Hansen), Oregon Blueberry Con-unission (3/1/04-2/28/05) OSU Competitive—$5,000 List two most recent 1. RERF equipment grant for a thermocycler(2001) $5,000 ARF Competitive—$10,000 List two most recent 1. Infectivity of Phytophthora ramorum in potting media(Parke) (7/1/04-6/30/05) $10,000 Industry—$26,611 List two most recent 1. Acquisition of Burkholderia cepacia from the environment(LiPuma& Parke), Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (9/l/99-8/3 1/00) Parke funds $26,611 Scholarship (January 2000—December 2004) Refereed publications—total= 7 List two most recent I. Hansen, E. M., Parke, J. L., and Sutton, W. 2005. Susceptibility of Oregon forest trees and shrubs to Phytophthora ramorum: a comparison of artificial inoculation and natural infection. Plant Dis. 89:63-70. 2. Parke, J. L. Linderman, R. G., Osterbauer,N. K., and Griesbach, J. A. 2004. Detection of Phytophthora ramorum blight in Oregon nurseries and completion of Koch's Postulates on Pieris, Rhododendron, Viburnum, and Camellia. Plant Dis. 88:87. Books and book chapters—total =2 List two most recent 1. Parke, J. L. and Gurian-Shen-nan, D. 2001. Diversity of the Burkholderia cepacia complex and implications for risk assessment of biological control strains. Annu. Rev. Phytopathol. 39:225-258. 2. Parke, J. L. and Kaeppler, S. M. 2000. Effects of genetic differences among crop species and cultivars upon the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis. Pages I il-14-6 in: Arbuscular Mycorrhizas: Physiology and Function (Y. Kapulnik and D. D. Douds, Jr., eds.). Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht. Numbered extension publications—total=2 List two most recent 1. Parke, J., Pscheidt, J., and Linderman, R. 2004. Phytophthora ramorum: a guide for Washington nurseries. 8 pp. Washington State Nursery and Landscape Association. 2. Parke, J, Pscheidt, J., and Linderman, R. 2003. Phytophthora ramorum: a guide for Oregon nurseries. 8 pp. OSU Extension Bulletin EM 8840, Oregon State University, Corvallis. Other reviewed publications—total= I List two most recent 1. Parke, J., Frankel, S., Alexander, J. and Thomas, C. 2004. Phytophthora ramorum Educate to Detect(PRED) Program. http://www.ncipmc.org/sod/ Proceedings and abstracts—total= 14 List two most recent 1. Parke, J. L., Roth, M. L., Lewis, C. and Choquette, C.J. 2004. Infection of Rhododendron macrophyllum roots, stems, and leaves by soilbome inoculurn of Phytophthora ramorum. Proceedings, IUFRO Conference on Phytophthora in Forests, Freising, Germany, Sept. I I-17, 2004. 2. Parke, J. L. and Roth, M. L. 2004. Relative virulence of Phytophthora ramorum isolates in Oregon. Phytopathology 94:S81. (Abstr.) Awards and Honors—list all received Fulbright Postdoctoral Fellowship (1983-1984) US-China Foundation Travel Award (1992) Hilldale Undergraduate/Faculty Research Fellowship (1995-1996) Faculty Sabbatical Leave (1997-1998), USDA-ARS Horticultural Crops Research Lab, Corvallis, OR (with Dr. Joyce E. Loper) fke�fi 0b 2� _USDA United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Pacific Southwest Research Station Ir Overview of Mission and Programs August 2000 USDA Forest Service Research & Development , (FS R&D) is the world's largest forestry research organization. FS R&D conducts ecological and social science research to understand ecosystems, how'humans influence those systems, and how to manage for sustained and enhanced benefits. FS R&D operates six Research Stations, the Forest 2 Products Laboratory,and the International Institute of Tropical Forestry. It employs 524 scientists as well as several hundred'technical and support personnel located at 65 sites throughout the United States. The Pacific Southwest Research Station represents 4 `� the Forest Service R& D in the States of California and Hawaii and the U.S.-affiliated Pacific islands. rJ The region has the lowest, driest desert in the country, the highest elevations within the 48 contiguous States,and the wettest tropical forests. It is the home of an abundant diversity of native plants Gi and animals and nearly 50 percent of the nation's , threatened and endangered species. Nowhere is the competition for natural resources T and land use higher or more controversial than in the Pacific Southwest region. Public awareness of environmental issues is more evident here than in any other part of the country. Yet per-capita consumption of natural resources in the region is the highest in the world. 7 Our program consists of 13 Research Work Units-12 in California and 1 in Hawaii—that are grouped into +- 8 institutes or laboratories at 8 geographic locations. We develop and deliver science-based information, technologies, understandings, and applications to help people make well-informed decisions about natural resource management, conservation, and environmental protection. We do much of this work in cooperation with other R&D institutions,such as universities and State and Federal agencies. James R Sedell,Station Director t PSW Laboratory Locations: Pacific Southwest Research Station USDA Forest Service 800 Buchanan Street 0 Arcata 0 Davis 0 Riverside Albany,CA 94710 © Redding © Albany Hilo Telephone:510-559-6300 © Placerville 0 Fresno http://www.fs.fcd.us/psw I` ' PC cience you c.ctn use Z�rCc't rc ,5t�tr��rrrt:+f��+ctttc'/r ��t'<Iz`irt>t We are located at. .. . Where our science emphasis is to, . . . r Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry • Restore and sustain forested wetlands (Hilo,and Pacific islands) • Reduce the impacts of invasive alien species • Conserve endangered species and native biodiversity J.Boone Kauffman 808-933-8121 ext. 101 Restore ecosystem processes and services in the Pacific Island landscapes Redwood Sciences Laboratory • Improve forest management practices to maintain water quality and aquatic (Arcata) resources • Improve our ability to manage forested environments to enhance and con- serve biological diversity • Refine understanding of population viability and habitat requirements of Tom Lisle 707-825-2930 sensitive wildlife species Center for Urban Forest Research • Enhance the ability of urban and community forests to conserve water and energy (Davis) • Mitigate urban air pollution Greg McPherson 530-752-5897 • Identify benefits and costs of urban forests Institute of Forest Genetics • Identify genes and describe the genetic structure of forest trees (Davis, Placerville) •Conserve genetic diversity of rare tree species c • Understand the genetic basis of disease resistance in trees and the role of. Andrew Groover 530-758-1060 fungal pathogens in forest ecosystems National Forest Genetic Electrophoresis • Link science to management in the area of forest genetics Laboratory(Placerville) • Support land management in tree improvement, conservation, Valerie Hipkins,530-622-1609 restoration, and evaluate effects of management on genetic resources Sierra Nevada Research Center • Understand interaction and responses of wildlife, plant, aquatic,and human (Davis, Fresno,Albany) populations and communities to natural and human-caused disturbances • Interact with the public and land managers to transfer this understanding for land management decision making • Conserve wildlife and fisheries diversity and ecosystem health in Sierra Nevada Peter Stine 530-759-1703 forests and high-elevation,meadows and lakes Forest Fire Laboratory • Develop models to predict fire behavior based on weather patterns (Riverside) • Provide understanding of prescribed fire and fire effects'in southwestern forests and range lands • Improve fire management decisions and strategies • Mitigate impacts of air pollution on forest ecosystems David Wiese 951-680-1543 • Reduce impacts and improve experiences of urban recreationists in wildlan`d settings Silviculture Laboratory • Improve forest ecosystem health and diversity through silviculture (Redding,Albany) • Understand the effects of forest management on long-term site productivity • Develop decision support systems to better integrate science into land and forest management • Develop forest management strategies to reduce fire hazard and improve forest Bob Powers 530-226-2543 health while conserving wildlife and fish habitat Albany Forest Sciences Laboratory • Develop understanding and methods to manage insect damage in forests (Albany, Davis) •Manage a national research program Phytophtoru ratporum, causal organism of Garland Mason 510-559-6313 Sudden Oak Death (SOD). NOTE:Unit headquarter location in boldface type The U.S.Department of Agriculture(USDA)prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, dolor,national origin,age,disability,and whereapplicable,sex,marital status,familial status,parental status,religion,sexual and person to Contact for more information orientation,genetic information,political beliefs,reprisal,or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from is listed for each site any public assistance program.(Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information(Braille,large print,audiotape,etc.)should contact USDA's TARGET Center at(202)720_2f"(voict,and TDD).In file a complaint of discrimination,write to USDA,Director, Office of Civil Rights,1400 Independence Avenue,S.W.,Washington,D.C.20250-9410,or call(800)795-3272(voice)or (202)720-6382(TDD).USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employees MROSD In the News 11 / 15 —. 11 29 .ILC Los GATOS NEWC c.. vvwatt.IoagatosdaPiynews.can --NEWS 1 Loewe,----- - 0 mn ie wee c o ds_ � h ' in Y v k ., No at W o si o rees— , d - 'd­ Ede s red� wo d 't My HM have been hidden in straw or hay ture that the weed,which can grow easi- A harmless-'looking, green grass that. brought to the area. ly in sunny.or shady, wet or dry condi- some Woodside residents may find in the U.S.,the plant has been report- tions, was a threat.to Woodside's red growing in their yards has now been ed elsewhere only in.Oregon, where it wood trees, which have an ecological classified by a state agency as a serious -has overrun more than 10,000 acres of relationship with forest undergrowth; to the area's redwood ecos stein, Douglas fir forestland-over the past 70 according to Roessler. threat Y ears,Roessler said. That ecology could be strained if the according to local open space officials. Y lutidpeninsula Regional'Open. Space IKidpeninsula Regional Open Space slender false brome is allowed to propa- District biologist Cindy Roessler said District biologists discovered slender gate and use up water required for young she is still trying to figure out bow the false brome in Woodside's Thornewood redwoods or other small plants,Roessler . innocuously named culprit,slender false Open Space Preserve in 2004 and esti- - said. brome, a perennial grass native to mate.that it has.been_spreading over A few weeks: ago, the state agency Europe and North Africa,arrived only in about 100 acres of public and private agreed to-reclassify slender false brome Woodside. lands in.the Woodside area for the past ' 'as an A-rated weed,the highest designa-. Roessler speculated that it could have 10 Years: tion for noxious weeds, N idpeninsula been brought in by someone purposely Officials made their case to the Cali- Regional Open Space District to plant in their yard., or its seed could fornia-Department of Food and Agricul- spokesman Rudy Jurgensen said. i i rage I a: a• Fast-spreading weed threatens redwoods District tries to control invasive plant By Julia Scott,STAFF WRITER Inside Bay Area Article Last Updated:11/25/2006 02:57:19 AM PST WOODSIDE—In the beginning, no one thought the tall stalks of grass sprouting in the shade of Woodside's redwood groves were anything out of the ordinary. No agency in California had seen this type of grass in January 2004,when the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District first noticed thick patches growing on the Thornewood Open Space Preserve. But when tests identified it as slender false brome,district officials knew it had a problem on its hands. The nation has only one other known instance of slender false brome,an aggressive invasive weed known to suppress the growth of native plant species.The weed quickly colonized 10,000 acres in Oregon a few years ago and took a major toll on the Fenders blue butterfly,which depends on athreatened prairie habitat. "In Oregon, when I looked at their problem, it was everywhere—along the roadside, in the ditches, in meadows. It was shocking to me to see how quickly it had spread.There was no bare spot left in the forest,"said Cindy Roessler,resource management specialist with the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. The incidence of slender false brome in Woodside is more contained—so far it has only been found at the Thornewood Preserve and the backyards of several nearby homes along Old La Honda Road and Grandview Drive. But it can spread quickly and takes several years to eradicate, Roessler said. It was on that basis that the district allocated $1.2 million to fight the weed during the next five to 10 years, and recently added$86,000 more to hire a contractor to evaluate and implement pest control recommendations.The weed is removed by pulling up its roots and applying several rounds of glyphosate, a common pesticide. A few weeks ago, at the district's urging,the California Department of Food and Agriculture elevated the species'threat level to category"A."The new rating means the state considers slender false brome a major threat to its forest ecosystems,but the problem Is still isolated enough that it can be contained,according to Roessler. Other,equally threatening invasive weeds such as French broom and yellow starthistle are"C"rated,because they are too widespread to eradicate, she said. Failing to address the problem in time could mean the end of the sensitive redwood ecosystem in that corner of Woodside. Roessler said the weed already had demonstrated that it could grow anywhere, and at almost any altitude. "It could change the way that water is stored in the soil that supports the trees. It could get rid of some of the native ferns in the forest,"said Roessler. In the meantime, the town of Woodside's Environmental Health committee has been talking to neighbors of the Thornewood Preserve, who have slender false brome on their property,to help the district eradicate it, Woodside Mayor Deborah Gordon said. One problem is that homeowners haven't recognized the problem, either because their properties are large or because they think the grass looks normal, said Gordon. "Some people don't even know that they have it. It's not ugly. When you hear about an invasive weed,you don't think of those pretty things over here,"said Gordon, who only learned.of the problem herself six months ago. The district has yet to unravel the mystery of where the slender false brome came from, and why it is only in Woodside.At first, district officials thought it had come from Oregon, but geneticists ruled that out when it was found to be a different genetic strain. "It's possible that somebody might have planted it. It's occasionally available in the nursery trade," Roessler said. Staff writer Julia Scott covers the coast and the environment. She can be reached at(650) 348-4340 or at jscottAsanmateocountytimes com. ttp://www.insidebayarea.com/l)ortlet/article/btml/fragments/print article jsp?articleId=4720626&siteId=181 11/29/20 Bay City News Wire INVASIVE GRASS DEEMED THREAT TO WOODSIDE'S REDWOOD ECOSYSTEM 1 112 0106 3:50 PST WOODSIDE(BCN) A harmless-looking,green grass that some Woodside residents may find growing in their yards has now been classified by a state agency as a serious threat to the area's redwood ecosystem,according to local open space officials. Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District biologist Cindy Roessler said she Is still trying to figure out how the innocuously named culprit,slender false brome,a perennial grass native to Europe and North Africa,arrived only in Woodside. Roessler speculated that it could have been brought in by someone purposely to plant in their yard,or its seed could have been hidden in straw or hay brought to the area. The plant has been reported elsewhere in the United States only in Oregon,where it has overrun more than 10,000 acres of Douglas fir forestland over the past 70 years,Roessler said. Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District biologists discovered slender false brome in Woodside's Thomewood Open Space Preserve in 2004 and estimate that it has been spreading over about 100 acres of public and private lands in the Woodside area for the past 10 years. Officials made their case to the California Department of Food and Agriculture that the weed,which can grow easily In sunny or shady,wet or dry conditions,was a threat to Woodside's redwood trees,which have a ecological relationship with forest undergrowth,according to Roessler. That ecology could be strained if the slender false brome is allowed to propagate and use up water required for young redwoods or other small plants,Roessler said. A few weeks ago,the state agency agreed to reclassify slender false brome as an A-rated weed,the highest designation for noxious weeds,Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District spokesman Rudy Jurgensen said. While the district has already allocated$1.2 million over 10 years to eradicate slender false brome,its reclassification will allow the district to coordinate with the Department of Food and Agriculture and the San Mateo County Agriculture Department to take a much more aggressive eradication approach,according to Jurgensen. Slender false brome is now"public enemy No.I as far as dangerous weeds are concerned,"Jurgensen said. Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District biologists have already had success with slender false brome eradication efforts on district lands in Woodside,and with more state and local cooperation,they hope to work with local residents to convince them to voluntarily let the district eradicate the weed on their properties,before its area expands as in Oregon,Roessler said. Roessler estimated that the slender false brome could be completely removed from Woodside lands in five to 10 years. Page 1 of 2 Coastside ranch to open to hikers Open space district is purchasing the land for La Honda preserve By Julia Scott, STAFF WRITER Inside Bay Area Article Last Updated:11/16/2006 02:55:13 AM PST LA HONDA —One of the county's best-known ranches will soon be open to the public for hiking and horse riding while cattle continue to graze its grassy hills. The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District is in the final stages of purchasing La Honda's 3,681-acre Driscoll Ranch, an active livestock-grazing operation north of Highway 84. It soon will become part of the adjacent 2,042-acre La Honda Open Space Preserve, forming the largest protected open space area in San Mateo County. The district will seek public feedback on the future of the preserve at a meeting scheduled for 6:30 tonight at the La Honda Elementary School. Creating access trails, protecting sensitive habitat and balancing new recreational uses with existing ranching operations will all come under discussion, said Project Planner Ana Ruiz. In 2002, Driscoll Ranch was sold to the Peninsula Open Space Trust, a private nonprofit, which in turn sold it to the district (escrow will close later this month). Public input will help the district craft its master plan for the new preserve, which then will be presented to county residents in spring or summer of next year. Any changes the district would introduce will have to be compatible with the grazing and ranching already in place. Ranch owner Rudy Driscoll Jr.retains a 50-year grazing permit on the property, which his father, Rudy Driscoll Sr., bought in 1968. The district recently reversed its longstanding policy against controlled cattle grazing on open space, finding that livestock reduce wildfire risk. "We're looking at it as a real opportunity to see how we can use cattle grazing to preserve grassland. We think it's a really good tool," said Ruiz. "But we'll have to do it in a very sensitive and careful way." Local environmentalists endorsed the grazing plan. "I think this is an innovative way to allow for some agricultural use and some public use,"said Lennie Roberts, legislative advocate for the Committee for Green Foothills. Fewer than 2,500 head of cattle were sold off ranches in San Mateo County in 2005, according to a report from the county Department of Agriculture. Much of the county's cattle live on Driscoll Ranch. The sale also gives the district the chance to create one long, major hiking trail that would stretch from Skyline ridge down to the bottom of the new La Honda Creek Preserve, affording spectacular views of the ocean. Horses also will be permitted on the trail, and Ruiz said the district planned to allow horse-trailer parking nearby. However, bicycles are a bit more controversial. Ruiz said several bicyclists had already told the district they were hoping the trail would be accessible to them as well. She said it was a possibility. "I'm sure the public will bring it up at the meeting," Ruiz said. As it stands now, the La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve has three miles of trails open to both hikers and equestrians.They are accessible only by special permit. Redwood City residents Bill and Judi Baskin said they were thrilled that the district intended to open the Driscoll Ranch to equestrians.The couple used to live in La Honda and rode along the ranch's horse trails for years. When Driscoll sought to ban all riders from the ranch trails with a trespassing lawsuit in the late 1990s,the Baskins joined the county in opposing it. http://www.insidebayarea.com/portlet/article/html/fragments/print_article.j sp?articleId=4... 11/16/2006 I Page 2 of 2 The suit was eventually settled out of court, but riders have not been permitted on the property since — until now. Bill Baskin said he and his wife were looking forward to getting back to their rides through the ranch and would even volunteer to help the district map out potential horse trails, along with hazards such as landslides and steep cliffs. "It's a beautiful place to ride," said Baskin. "It's the only way to get around there unless you're a really good hiker." One of the ranch's other unique features is a network of man-made ponds that, left to themselves over time, have developed Into habitat for sensitive species such as the California red-legged frog and the Western pond turtle. Three rivers also run through the ranch property that contain steelhead trout,listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.The trout have become increasingly scarce in the upper La Honda Creek watershed due to encroaching development and accumulating sedimentation. Ruiz said the district would protect the fish, and all the native species of wildlife, by limiting people's contact with those areas. The district's final challenge will be to clean up a contaminated area in the southwest corner of the ranch that used to be an oil field.The La Honda oil field was in production from the 1950s through the 1980s; the oil wells were capped and removed from the site when Rudy Driscoll Sr.acquired that particular portion of the property in the mid-1990s. Although that part of the site is no longer hazardous, an adjacent area that was used to store the oil still is, said Ruiz. The Driscoll Ranch event center on the south side of Highway 84, best known for its annual rodeo and related events, was not part of the sale and will not be affected by the changes. The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District will hold its public meeting on the new La Honda Creek Preserve from 6:30 to 9:30 tonight at La Honda Elementary School, 450 Sears Ranch Rd., La Honda. Staff writer Julia Scott covers the coast and the environment. She can be reached at 348-4340 or at jscottC&sanmateocountytimes com. http://www.insidebayarea.com/portlet/article/html/fragments/print—article.i sp?articleld=4... 11/16/2006 ;ows may come home to Calif. preserves Page I o Arts :: Books :: D`dD :: Forums :: Movies :: Music :: flews :: Home :: People :: Science &Nature :: Soundtracks :: Spe Advertisement rIMM . � . . . Gaming Staff [nature News Required Cows may come home to Calif. preserves Nov 13, 2006, 19:23 GMT printer email D,ID Tolkbacw_ _ Ads by Google Advertise on this site Advertisement SANTA CLARA, CA, United — - States (UPI) -- Open- Live Fire Trainer - ITS space preserves in the Ads by Google Fire Extinguisher Training System Most Portable San Francisco Bay Area Fire Safety UK and Cost Effective may soon be populated Fire Safety www.butlexsafety.com with cows as a way to reduce wildfires and fend off an encroaching forest. The Midpeninsula Regional Books Fire Retardant Paint Open Space District, index One coat fireproof Paint, UL 723 Listed, 1& 2 hours which manages some f' oust sellers ASTM E119 passed 50,000 acres of open [Database paintto protect.ccm space in 25 preserves, plans in January to Features recommend the r r -3aolc Forums I reintroduction of livestock lout This V eek to 5,000 grassy acres in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties, The Mercury Recornmended News of San Jose, Calif., reported. This Month Partner Links h?e i The goal is to reduce the wildfire risk in an area that is too big to mow and "` howstufFwork Reviews too dangerous to burn -- and fend off the encroachment of forest. How HD Radio tnrc ll Reviews I ... Children's 'Cattle are one of the few effective tools that are available to manage How did forensics grasslands on a large scale,' district project manager Kirk Lenington told the experts create a Comics newspaper. modern profile of r ictic,n the Ripper? r ;fectyie Adding the cattle would also restore wildflowers that are food for the 'vton-Fiction endangered bay checkerspot butterfly, the district said. How Janes Bond Sci/Fi, Fantasy Horror The bovine population could return as earl as Februa compare aces tune p p Y rY• compare to iPoa? Topics Cerr.ics Copyright 2006 by United Press International Advertis Released This Week http://science.monstersandcritics.com/news/article_1221473.php/Cows_may_come_home_to_Calif_preser... 11/29/20 ''A I ma. Workshop on opens ace r p preserve The Mid peninsula Rei;ional _Open Space District will hold its third community work- 7AImanacNe;ws.com ews at } �'' shop to help plan use and protection of the La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve, on Thursday, Nov. 16, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m: at the La Honda Elementary School, 450 Sears Ranch Road. The district's largest pre- serve in San Mateo County includes redwood forest,roll- ing grassland, and creek cor- ridors extending from Skyline Boulevard down almost to La Honda.It is best know for the historic "red barn" on High- way 84,near La Honda. The district is looking.for community input an'' issues such as grazing, protection of creeks and fisheries, roads and trails, habitat protection, and traffic. For information call Ana Ruiz at 691-1200, or go to openspace.org. 11111 Jill JOIN, HALF MOON J AY t�EVMW SEMISIG THE ENS CAM MATEO COASM11,f SINCE 1898 }--O)0 9A Planning starts again for preserve in La Honda NATURAL RESOURCE, PUBLIC ACCESS �� �'��d � WHAT.interactive public work- PLANNING PROCESS shop held by the Midpeninsula f UNDERWAY Regional Open Space District .......................................... WHERE;La Honda Elementary BY STAGY TREVENON School,45o Sears Ranch Road,La sixy�hmbrrvieuccom Honda WHEN:6:3o to 9:3o p.m. .. T_bg Midpeninsula Regional Thursday,Nov.76 _... _........_..........---...-...... OM Spare District unii nOld an Cori:Free interactive"Issues and Oppor- ----.---..----------------------_-------------- tunines Public Workshop" INFORMATION:(65o)697.1200 Thursday in La Honda. The aim of the meeting is to public will help us determine develop a resource protection how to best incorporate Driscoll and visitor-use plan for the Ranch into the preserve." nearly 5,800-acre La Honda At the workshop,the public Creek Open Space Preserve. will learn about existing condi- It's the third such meeting.In lions on Driscoll Ranch,as well 2004,the district klCked off the as new challenges coming with master planning process for the the addition of a working ranch preserve with two public work- to the preserve. Any input will shops.But in order to allow time help develop master plan alter- for staffto focus on the purchase natives, which go before the of Driscoll Ranch property to public in 2007. add to the preserve,that process Key issues include reintro- was postponed In early 2005. duction of conservation graz- The postponement also al- ing,continued ranching opera. lowed staff time to assess the tions on Driscoll Ranch, and preserve's roads and trails,ana- restoration or enhancement of lyze costs and benefits of graz- endangered species habitat ing, compile highway.trans- throughout the preserve. portation data and expand avail- Other considerations in- able fisheries information for clude trail connections, his- creek corridors. Such data al- toric facilities, public staging lows the district to develop an and parking areas. ecologically sound plan.. The preserve stretches from On Thursday,the public will Skyline Boulevard to San Gre- have a larger area to consider gorio Creek.Its northern half, than the original 2,042-acre La purchased by the district in Honda Creek Preserve, since 1985,is open to the public by the district purchased the 3,681- permit. I acre Driscoll Ranch,southwest The preserve contains of the preserve,earlier this year rolling grasslands, redwood The area in question now en- forests and a rare albino red- compasses nearly 5,800 acres, wood. One of its most visible making it the largest district pre- features is the historic "red serve in San Mateo County. barn"off Highway 84 north of "We're excited to restart the La Honda. master planning process for La More information about the Honda Creek Preserve," said La Honda Creek master plan is Ana Ruiz, the district planner available on the district's Web overseeing the project `The site at www.openspace.org.Is Page 1 0 Parks champion pens new book By Julia Scott, STAFF WRITER Inside Bay Area Article Last Updated:11/28/2006 07:45:57 AM PST Of the 13 million visitors who hike, bike and walk the scenic parks that make up the Golden Gate National Recreation Area each year,few are aware o the decades of work that went into protecting them from development. More than 34 years have passed since Congress created the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA),with 34,000 acres of national park land stretching from the southern boundaries of Point Reyes National Seashore to central San Mateo County. During the past two decades,the efforts of citizen activists and a few inspired legislators increased that number to 80,000 acres. As co-chair of People for a Golden Gate National Recreation Area with legendary conservationist Edgar Wayburn, San Francisco resident Amy Meyer has been involved with the movement to protect the GGNRA since its inception. Her new book,"New Guardians of the Golden Gate: How America Got a Great National Park," is the first to give an activist's account of the political wrangling behind the process. Meyer, 73,will read from her book and present a photo slideshow at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Half Moon Bay's San Benito House.The event is sponsored by the Committee for Green Foothills and will feature refreshments and a silent auction starting at 6:30 p.m.The idea to create the GGNRA today the largest national park in an urban area, was first floated in 1969 by the Nixon administration as it was looking at ways to use or sell excess military lands in different parts of the country. "The idea was to bring parks to the people where the people were—the people who couldn't get to Yosemite or the Grand Canyon.They would have; place that was next to big cities,"said Meyer. The government later decided to add Alcatraz and some other lands in northern Marin County to the GGNRA. Pressure from environmentally minded residents who got wind of the idea persuaded legislators to buy even more land on top of that.As a result,the legislation Congress passed creating the GGNRA in 1972 designated 34,000 acres of protected land instead of the 8,000 acres in the original plan,according to Meyer. It came not a moment too soon.The Bay Area was soon in the throes of large-scale development.A plan to build a new city of 30,000 named Marincello behind Fort Baker and Fort Cronkite in Marin failed after a major public campaign against It. "We got to this land before anyone did anything,"said Meyer, referring to the entire GGNRA. 'There was a sense of, 'If we don't green the hills,they'll be covered with buildings."' Meyer herself was catapulted into the fray in 1970 when she became involved In a local campaign against the planned development of East Fort Miley, a 12-acre slice of land between the Legion of Honor and the VA Medical Center near her home on Clement Street. One year later, she and Wayburn founded People for a Golden Gate National Recreation Area as a powerful coalition of 65 local and national "green"groups.They wrote letters, prepared petitions, went to hearings and published articles.The organization is still headquartered in Meyer's home today. About half of the GGRNA, or 40,000 acres of land, lie within San Mateo County. Most of that property is part of Crystal Springs Reservoir,managed by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, and offers limited public access. In 1984, U.S. Sen. Pete Wilson successfully lobbied for the adjacent property Sweeney Ridge to be acquired by the National Park Service and turned over to public use.The Phleger Estate west of Skyline Boulevard followed, as did Milagra Ridge, San Pedro Point and Mori Point, all within the vicinity of Pacifica. The National Park Service next hopes to acquire Rancho Corral de Tierra,a 4,200-acre property south of Montara Mountain presently owned by the Peninsula Open Space Trust.The property costs$13miliion, and Meyer is hoping Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Dianne Feinstein will push the government toward appropriating funds for its transfer,which has been stalled under the Bush administration. "The federal government has enough money to afford all of these lands. It's about showing a benefit to all of us,"said Meyer. She added that she hoped local Democratic politicians would use their new majority during the next few years to"move against the privatization and commercialization of national parks"and devote much-needed funds to administration, maintenance and education services. The work of dedicated activists like Meyer has been bolstered since the 1970s by the creation of the Peninsula Open Space Trust(POST), a private nonprofit, and the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, a public agency —two groups whose sole purpose is to acquire and protect open space http://www.insidebayarea.com/portlet/article/html/fragments/print—article.jsp?articleId=4732835&siteId=181 11/28/20 Page 2o . — ' � � throughout San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.The two groups own more than 100,000acnes between them. POST's Saving the Endangered Coast campaign has focused rural coastal open space in one or the nation's most expensive real estate markets.The nonprofit has raised $2uu million and acquired z5'nVn acres nrcvastsiue open space since 2noz'according m POST Ppwsiuen Audrey Rust. She said her gmup'sgoal is to buy another s'VOn acres in San Mateo County by3UVD. Meyer called such efforts^hemic.^ ~me Idea is this land can never be lost because itcan he sold,"she said. Meyer's book reading and slideshow presentation will take place at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the San Benito House, 356 Main St. m downtown Half Moon Bay. For more Information,call (650)968-7243 or visit h#p/����.ycr*nhpnthU|v�nng' Staff writer Julia Scott can be reached at(6sV)318-^3*Oc^at j;um. � � ~ � dn»://*/nw. 28]5&siteId=l8l }}/28/20 � � /iROSD Buys Land for Trail Development @ ABC-of-Hiking Page 1 o: IL • • • • GHRISTMAS • • • Fart°T IMax life stvlc Basics& Backgrounds Getting Started Hiking!Jews► November 2006 News Disciplines&Variations Techniques&Skills Land near Roman Forest-rat Trek: Light Hanimocks Equipment Overview Own premium lots&acreage in this beautiful A backpacker's dream come true. Leave your Camping&Outdoor Living wooded Texas community tent and pad behind! Safety& First Aid Ads by G000le Advertise He Information Search r`tAROSD Buys Land for Trail Dev'etopment • = Print Version Fyl� Email News Item Submit News : Search News Hiking Footwear Backpacks&Essentials TUESDAY 7 NOVEMBER 2006 y Clothes&Apparel J� NEWS SEARCH HikingTools&Accessories ,� � - The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (MROSD) �` has purchased the Lower Purisima Creek property near Search our Hiking News: Camping Gear&Equipment � 3 - r' - Navigational Tools , half Moon Bay from the Peninsula Open Space Trust Search Resources&Miscellaneous = (POST) for $2.25 million. Gear Search The 183-acre land has grassy slopes, wooded valleys, JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER and a ridge with ocean views. It will be used to link g Stay up to date with all hiking News hiking trails from Skyline Ridge to the Pacific Ocean. by becoming a member and joining Holidays&Vacations The land was initially bought for the same prize by POST from a private our hiking Newsletter. Accommodations owner in February 2005. Schools& Instructors Re iste No 1 Hiking Guides g w Equipment Rentals Craig Britton, the general manager of MROSD, has said that the property Travel Search would not only be used to link the trails along the coast of San Mateo County but also to protect valuable habitat and water resources. SUBMIT NEWS n. Read more about this news story at www.cbs5.cem If you know any Hiking Events or Nei News& Events that you would like to share with the News Search world,then we invite you to Submit a News Item. Submit a News Item Members Site Links Directory Advertising& Marketing ©2003-2006 MaxLifestyle.net"Go Hiking like Max!"All rights reserved.Visit our. Shop Partner Program Business Center-About Us&Contact Info,Legal Notices, Link Exchange,Advertising,Marketing& Partnership Opportunitie Travel Partner Program About&Contact Us These are the Lifestyle Subjects we currently cover in our MaxLifestyle.net International Network: Snowboarding (Skiing I Hiking I Rock Climbing I Ice Climbing I Mountaineering I Mountain Biking I Golf Yoga Meditation Fitness I Running I Fishing I Diving I Sailing These are the Lifestyle Subjects we currently cover in our MaxLifestyle.net Dutch Network: Meditatie I Yoga I Snowboarden I Ski I Golf Informatie 1-ittp://wv�>tiv.abc-of-hiking-Con-/news/200611/mrosd-buys-land-for-trail-development.asp 11/29/20 San Mateo,CA San Mateo Co.) Burlingame,CA ( San Mateo Co.) San Mateo Daily ( Journal Daly City/The Inde- (Cir.W.) pendent (Cir.W.44,800) NOV 14 2006 NOV 1 1 2006 AlentP.C.B.Est.1888 sr / ""S P•C.B.Est.1888 v grasslands on a large scale Local briefs ," f L.enington said. M.r The proposal will be considered in Cows considered to mow January. down wildfire risks 2/0 " _ , _ Reeion aaceDis- trict hosts a free six-mile hike Livestock could be returning to '! exploring the historic view thousands of grassy.acres in Santa traits surrounding the Fremont Clara and San Mateo counties to Older Mansion next Thurs- help reduce wildfire risks. day,Nov.16,from 9:30 am.to 2 p.m.For starting point loca Space_District recce y drafted a pol- tion and reservations,call(650) _Ji 691-1200 or visit wwwo n- icy that would reintroduce the ani-' orals to reduce fire risk over 5,000 space.org. difficult-to-manage acres. Cattle have been kicked off grassy lands because they contributed to erosion and.overgrazing. "Me paradigm was to kick cattle Burlingame,CA off when you acquired property:' (San Mates Co.) said the district's Kirk Lenington, San Mateo Weekly& who is managing the project. Foster City Progress/ Further research determined that The Independent removing livestock can harm wild- (Cir.W.39,465) flowers and certain animal life and leave areas overgrown with weeds. "Cattle ate one of the few effective N[]U 1 4 2006 tools that are available to manage r _ a Allen S P.C.B. Est.188A Mid ninsula Regional O Den nSpace District has its next public workshp this Thursday, Nov.16,in the La Honda Elemen- tary School,450 Sears Ranch Road,on a new visitor-use plan for the 5,800-acre La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve. i 1 �I _ , nt,ail I iew m , Goin s ENVIRONMENT_�a; : g Oja "HOW DID THESE MOUNTAINS GET 10ii HERE?"Lead by docents Dave and Judy Boore.Strenuous 5-6 mile hike through a ENVIRONMENT g diverse preserve.View Santa Cruz Mountains. ~ #� Nov.26,10 a.m.-3 p.m.Free.Monte Bello GEOLOGIC EXPLORATIONS A climb up the Open Space Preserve.www.openspace.org k r Limekiln Trail from Lexington Reservoir,an "WHY DOES DRIVING 15 MILES TAKE 1 -'A elevation gain of 900 feet with docent Kevin HOUR IN SC COUNTY"A talk with Rod Diri- ` �✓" Kilmer.Discuss about local geology before don to explain how the county grew based on returning via the Priest Rock Trail.Meet at the subdivision planning driven by real estate and Northside parking lot in Los Gatos.Nov.19, developer money in the 50's,60's and 70's. 9:15 a.m.-2 p.m.Free.Sierra AM Open Space Nov.30,1-2:30 p.m.Free.NASA Ames Confer- Preserve.www.openspace.org ence Center,Moffett Field,Mountain View.Call PURISIMA LOOP A loop hike with docents 604-6810.www.environment.arc.nasa.gov y �y Chris Macintosh and Stephen Buckhout. Strenuous 7-mile hike.Meet at the Whittemore Gulch entrance.Nov.19,9 a.m.-4 p.m.Free. Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Pre- serve.www.openspace.org STRETCH YOUR LEGS A 4 mile,leisurely- paced hike up Polly Geraci Trail with docent Paul Vadopalas.Nov.19,10 a.m.-noon Free.Pulgas Rid ge Open Space Preserve. www.openspace.org TURKEY TREK With docents Paul Billig and Kay Partelow.A 5 mile hike to the top of Black Mountain includes an elevation gain of 800 feet.Nov.23,9 a.m.-noon Free.Monte Bello Open Space Preserve.www.openspace.org Orrtine Edition Environment 11 � � elf �nily and Kids I I t-Y Purisima Loop A loop hike with docents M Children's Book Fair Bay Area Woman Achiever of the Arts 2006, Sheralee Hill m Chris Macintosh and Stephen Buckho t Strenuous 7-mile hike.Meet at the Whit-- Igiehart Nov. 18, 2 p.m. Free. Stanford vaN temore Gulch entrance.Nov. 19.9 a.m.- Campus Bookstore,Stanford.Call 493- 4 p.m. Free. Purisima Creek Redwoods 5248. Open Space Preserve.www.opensp�'a"c�e: .'�� Preschool Storytime For children ages q org 1��VvZ�, .� 3-5.Wednesdays, 11 a.m. College Ter- Room With a View With docents Keith race Library, 2300 Wellesley St., Palo Alto.Call 329 2134.www.cityofpaloalto. Johnsgard and Barbara Patterson. A stroll along the San Andreas Fault and org/library/kids-teens Qp Environment up the Bella Vista Trail to discuss how Preschool Storytime-For children ages How Di These Mountains Get ere?" Black Mountain came to be. A moder- 3 5. Fridays, 11`a.rtl:Mitchell park Li- Lead by docents Dave and Judy Boore. brary, 3700 Middlefield Rd., Palo Alto. Strenuous 5 6 mile hike through a diverse ately strenuous,4 mile out-and-back hike Call 329-2134. www.cityofpaloalto.orgl— preserve. View Santa Cruz Mountains. with a 500-foot elevation change.Bring a library/kids-teens Nov.26,10 a.m.-3 p.m.Free.Monte Bello lunch. Nov. 19, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Free. Open Space Preserve.www.openspace. Monte Bello Open Space Preserve.ww.w, org openspace.org Preschool Storytime For children ages 3-5. Tuesdays, 10 a.m. Main Library, Stop,ln and Explore Saturdays and Sun- Stretch Your Legs A 4 mile, leisurely- 1213 Newell Rd., Palo Alto. Call 329- days,through Nov.26,11 a.m.-4 p.m.Vis- paced hike up Polly Geraci Trail with do- 2134. www.cityofpaloalto.org/library/ it the David C.Daniels Nature Center and cent Paul Vadopalas. Nov. 19. 10 a.m.- kids-teens view displays about natural communities, noon Free. Pulgas Ridge Open Space Stop In and Explore Saturdays and Sun- see larger-than-life pond strata mobiles, Preserve.www.openspace.org days,Nov.18-26,11 a.m.-4 p.m.Visit the take a pond prowl,and have an opportu- Turkey Trek With docents Paul Billig and . David C.Daniels Nature Center and view nity to study live aquatic organisms.Free. Kay Partelow.A 5 mile hike to the top of Sky- Black David C Daniels Nature Center at Sk displays about natural communities,see Y Black Mountain includes an elevation gain a line Ridge Open Space Preserve, Park at of 800 feet. Nov. 23, 9 a.m:-noon Free. ""' larger-than life pond strata mobiles,take +' �y`:+w a pond prowl,and have an'o pportunity to w Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve. Monte Bello Open Space Preserve.www. <!r study live aquatic organisms.Free.David ��w.openspace.org openspace.org C.Daniels Nature Center at Skyline-Ridge Story Time "Elves and the Shoemaker" p I Open Space Preserve, Park at Russian Sun., Nov.26, 11:30 a.m. Free. Ke er's Ridge Open Space Preserve. www. Outdoors Books,1010 EI Camino Real,Menlo Park. History of Logging Ride Bike ride with openspace.org Call 324-4321,www.keplers.com docents Linda Wegner and Rich Schwer- Thanksgiving Story Time With story- Toddler Storytime For children ages in. Travel along the Methuselah, Blue 18 months-3 years. Fridays, 10 a.m. teller Chelsea McNeel. Sun., Nov. 19, Blossom,Cross Cut,and other trails for 11:30 a.m.Free.Kepler's Books,1010 El Mitchell Park Library, 3700 Middlefield a 10-12 mile advanced-level mountain Rd., Palo Alto. Call 329-2134. www. Camino Real,Menlo Park.Call 324-4321. bike ride with over 2,000 feet of climb www.keplers.com cityofpaloalto.org/library/kids-teens ing.Reservations required.Nov. 18,9:3- Toddler Storytime For children ages 18 ra Creek} a.m. eek p. Free. El Corte de Made months-3 years.Fridays,10 a.m.Mitchell Openn Space Preserve. www.. Park Library,3700 Middlefield Rd., Palo openspace.org Alto.Call 329-2134.www.cityofpaloalto. org/I ibrary/kids-teens Toddler Storytime For cihldren ages 18 months-3 years. Mondays, 10 and 11 a.m.Main Library,1213 Newell Rd.,Palo Alto.Call 329-2134.www.cityofpaloalto. org/library/kids-teens 4 , r; I wo 31 Sudden a eat - - Protecting Americas WoodlandS . from Phyrtophthora r amorumMOO- s A.. �••� •r -.ut•. F ; � r i h14 m } Of Ag AI t � . f r Executive Summary newly identified nonnative pathogen,Phytophthora ramorum,threatens our Nation's oak woodlands,urban forests,and horticultural industries. It causes Sudden Oak Death,which kills coast live oak,tanoak,and California black oak trees. It also causes branch and twig dieback,as well as leaf blight in many other species. Discovered in 2000,the pathogen has spread to 13 California counties,as well as to Curry County,in southwestern Oregon.Phytophthora ramorum has recently been found in nursery stock in 18 States,as well as nurseries and public gardens in Europe. Sudden Oak Death affects ecosystem functions,increases fire and safety hazards,and reduces property values in developed areas.The initial outbreak occurred in the urban- wildland interface of central,coastal California,where over 7 million people live.In I California,falling trees and increased fire risks threaten homes,buildings,power lines, roads,watercourses,and recreation areas. This disease could have global economic implications for forest,horticultural,and agricultural industries.Seven nations,including the United States,have imposed emergency quarantines restricting the shipment of rhododendron and other horticultural host plants,logs,and other woody materials. In November 2002,the European Union issued a quarantine restricting import of susceptible plant species from the United States. This report describes the U.S. Department of Agriculture(USDA) Forest Service's comprehensive,six-part strategy to allocate resources for managing Sudden Oak Death. The agency's objective is to minimize economic,ecological,and aesthetic damage to the Nation's oak woodlands.Strategy components include— . Prevention.Provide support to the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service in developing quarantines to limit pathogen spread. • Early detection and rapid response.Nationwide,detect outbreaks early,while they are still treatable. Intensify surveys. • Control,management,and restoration.Carry out eradication and slow-the-spread projects to destroy new outbreaks. Conduct trials for pesticide treatments to develop methods to protect high-value vegetation. _ Research and monitoring.Conduct research to determine pathogen biology,epidemiology,distribution,and impacts. Enhance control measures.Track disease spread over time and maintain information in a national database. • International cooperation.Foster cooperation between regulatory ' officials and researchers to protect forests and maintain a safe nursery trade for North America and Europe. • Public outreach and partnerships.Work with other public and private land managers,State and community governments,public and private groups,and individuals to develop the infrastructure necessary to provide effective prevention,eradication,and slow-the-spread programs. Background iscovered in 2000,P. ramorum live oak,tanoak,and California black is jeopardizing the Nation's oak trees and causes branch and twig oak woodlands,urban dieback in conifers and several shrubs, forests,and agricultural and horti- as well as leaf blight in mountain cultural industries.Known to be laurel,camellia,viburnum,and other the cause of Sudden Oak Death,this species. In California,it has affected virulent pathogen has spread to 18 ecosystem functions,increased fire California counties,as well Oregon's and safety hazards,and reduced Curry County. It has also been found property values in developed areas. in European nurseries and public Over 7 million people live where gardens.The pathogen has a broad the initial outbreak occurred—the host range,including hardwoods, urban-wildland interface of central, such as coast live oak;landscape coastal California.Neighborhoods plants,such as camellia and were transformed within months; rhododendron;herbaceous plants, dead trees surrounded communities such as western starflower;and where green trees formerly thrived. softwoods,such as coast redwood.It Communities were overwhelmed as has killed tens of thousands of coast residential yards,parks,open space, and recreation areas were irreparably altered and in need of costly removal t`44 of hazardous trees.In Oregon,the pathogen was detected shortly after establishment,and eradication programs were initiated. i . f {l r. 1. � E i Symptomsodod• i 1 Symptoms Spread On oaks and tanoaks,infection Spores are transported to new areas causes trunk wounds called cankers. by windblown rain.Infected nursery Although cankered trees may survive stocks can also spread the disease. for several years,cankers gradually Other mechanisms for short-and expand until they girdle the tree, long-range pathogen spread are under causing it to die. Black or reddish ooze investigation (including transport in often bleeds or seeps from the cankers. rivers and in soil by animals or hikers' In the final disease stage,the leaves shoes).Temperature and moisture turn from green to brown within a conditions suitable for infection are few weeks.Because other diseases also being studied. cause similar symptoms,laboratory confirmation is needed for accurate diagnosis. On California bay laurel,rhododen- dron,and more than a dozen other plants,infection results in leaf spots and twig dieback.The pathogen reproduces readily on many of these plant leaves,so they serve as reservoirs of inoculum. I F ? tir - M Current Distribution Within a 52-acre area,infected In California,the pathogen is found plants were identified and buffer from Monterey to Humboldt Counties zones surrounding them established. in redwood/tanoak and coastal Immediately after detecting P. evergreen forests. The disease is ramorum,Oregon landowners began »� widespread in Marin and Santa Cruz cutting and burning host plants in the Counties,and in the Big Sur area of affected area. All identified sites were Monterey County. The infestations treated,and the eradication program are concentrated in urban-wildland required that the area be intensively interface areas,but portions of monitored and found free of disease wildlands are also heavily affected. for at least 2 years Several of the locations are close to reaching In Oregon,the pathogen was detected this goal. in 2001 via aerial survey. It was limited to a 9-square-mile area in Curry County near Brookings,OR, just north of the California border. Distribution of Sudden Oak Death as of April 26, 2004 Cur OREGON 1.11 R IA M aD Sonoma Sol Mari n y San Alan GI Mateo Sant Clara Santa Cruz s " ApIRCMY r _ • Confirmed isolation of Phytophdara `�- ntnwnun• /l1 SHoe species for Ph VIVMhora ramoni n•• .�'+ Counties with PhytopMhora„morum confirmed in Midland • .— �- 1 •Data provided by CDFA and UC Davls/UC Berkeley pathologists { ••California hat data from CAL GAP Analysis Project.Oregon host data from en OR GAP Analysis Project.Data has be queried to only tow the geographic range for speclas that sire hosts for PhympMhora - rarnorurn. NOTES: c j s.Sampling avm isongthrougtwutthestate. 2.Nursery confirmations are not depicted. N Map produced eat oN36N4 by den Cak VERDent hapaseeAsit the v50Dmoality Task For more information about Sudden Oak Death,please Nsit the CaliforniaCalibmie Oak Morlalny Task � Fong website at http,/Avww.sWderwakdooh.orgi ur rrerg su r.. Preliminary SOD Risk/Hazard Map Retatrve Risk s ' ' High • Moderate , LOW WDS/100CM A 1 The USDA Forest Service constructed emergency quarantines for host a preliminary risk map—integrating plants and associated soil from potential introduction pathways, infested areas.California and susceptible plant species,and weather Oregon have also imposed inter- conditions favorable to P. ramorum nal quarantines.These quarantines survival and disease development— restrict shipment of rhododendron that guided cooperative pilot surveys and other horticultural host plants in the spring of 2003.The risk analy- from areas where the pathogen is sis indicates that the Appalachian found. Mountains and coastal areas of Oregon and Washington are at Forest plants are also susceptible greatest risk of acquiring the disease. to P. ramorum. In addition to the culturally significant and aesthetically Economic Implications valued oak species,Coast redwood Sudden Oak Death could have major and Douglas-fir are susceptible. economic implications for forest, Although damage on these species horticultural,and agricultural appears to be limited to foliage and industries. Nursery stock has proven small branches,quarantines could to be a pathway for dispersal of the result in a short-term loss of an ' pathogen,which has been found estimated$50 million a year for the in garden centers and nurseries in redwood and Douglas-fir industry 18 States and British Columbia.A in California alone.The potential different mating type of P. ramorum economic and ecological loss to is present in hundreds of European Oregon's vast commercial Douglas-fir S nurseries.The U.S.nursery industry forest is even greater. Millions of acres is valued at over$13 billion annually, of oak forests in the Eastern United ranking as our Nation's third States are also at risk. Lab tests show highest value crop. California is six eastern oak species are highly r the industry's leading producer of susceptible.An American native horticultural plants,valued at$2 southern red oak,and a northern billion a year. Oregon's industry is red oak,have been found infected in ranked fifth nationally and ranks Europe.The oak hardwood forest is second in the production of woody the largest forest type in the United plants. The United States,Canada, States,and its potential vulnerability the European Union,the Czech to this pathogen is a great economic Republic,South Korea,Australia, and ecological concern. and New Zealand have imposed Strategy he best defense against the and Extension Service(CSREES);and establishment of P. ramorum the Agricultural Research Service— in eastern oak forests is to individual States,the California Oak prevent its introduction.Delineation Mortality Task Force,and university of infested areas and aggressive researchers to address Sudden Oak containment of the pathogen in Death proactively.To manage P. 4 nurseries,and in natural areas in ramorum to minimize financial, California and Oregon,through ecological,and aesthetic damage,the quarantine and eradication efforts USDA Forest Service is implementing are underway,but additional work in a comprehensive,six-part strategy these areas is needed. Early detection that includes: (1) prevention; (2) early and eradication from newly infested detection and rapid response; (3) areas will be critical if the pathogen control,management,and restoration; escapes containment.The USDA (4) research and monitoring; (5) Forest Service is working with partners international cooperation;and (6) in USDA—Animal and Plant Health public outreach and partnerships. Inspection Service (APHIS);the Cooperative State Research,Education, Z WARNING SUDDEN OAK DEATM RESTRICTED AREA so7•sei»•- .OpRIq-052.1 1 The oak hardwood forest is the largest forest type in the United States; its potential vulnerability is a great economic and ecological concern. t i i Prevention lthough pesticide tests are florist materials,and many other underway,only one pesticide commodities. Land managers are treatment is currently charged with enforcing the regulations approved for use on P. ramorum. on public lands;private landowners This material must be painted on the must also comply.In addition,best trunks of trees as a preventative,and management recommendations it has not been tested on hosts other are needed for firewood collection, than oak.In order to limit pathogen Christmas tree cutting,timber spread,quarantines are being sales,landslide repair,and road . implemented and enforced worldwide. maintenance and construction to In February 2001,APHIS issued an minimize the accidental spread of r emergency rule on P. ramorum for the pathogen. Federal and university interstate shipment of host plants and personnel will develop literature to associated soil. California and Oregon educate professionals and the public have similar intrastate regulations. on symptom identification,sanitation ; These regulations cover lumber, measures,and quarantine compliance. logs,mulch,wood chips,firewood, nursery plants,soil,yard waste, of `I • y � II511r � t •� 7 N Y C Early Detection and Rapid Response onitoring is a critical checked and laboratory tested for component of Sudden P. ramorum.The Forest Health Moni- Oak Death management. toring program and its partners are Using aerial and roadside surveys, conducting a national survey of forests forest inventory and monitoring plots, at risk,focusing on the areas of high nursery surveys,and public employees and moderate risk(see risk map),to trained to look for the disease during determine whether the pathogen the course of their normal duties,the is present beyond California and Or- USDA Forest Service and its partners egon. Federal,State,and county per- will work to detect new infestations sonnel will inspect nurseries located early,facilitating containment or in areas where host species grow. eradication. California and Oregon have more than 20 million acres of Records of pathogen distribution potential habitat for P. ramorum. should be maintained in a national I Scientists identified 60 proven and Web-accessible geographic informa- suspected plant hosts and expect the tion system database(http://ceris. known host range to increase as purdue.edu/napis) and linked to monitoring and detection methods California's database at http://www. improve.Aerial survey crews will suddenoakdeath.org.This resource monitor affected and adjacent re- will aid in economic analysis and gions;all suspect cases will be ground prediction of the potential impact on natural resources. r � ti. i 1 Control, Mangement, and Restoration n areas considered generally in- owners in Curry County to eradicate fested,such as the central coast of P. ramorum.They are conducting California,only"slow-the-spread" an intensive follow-up monitoring projects are feasible. State and Fed- program,with retreatment where eral personnel will work to educate necessary. In some other areas,clear- the public to reduce the chances of cutting was not an option due to the accidental spread from these areas. value of trees or other considerations, We hope to be able to eradicate new so they removed infested Califor- infestations.Treating immediately nia bay laurel or other foliar hosts r after detection is considered essential. that support pathogen reproduction The current eradication methods are to slow the spread of the pathogen. to outline areas with symptoms and Eradication can only be successful if add a 100-foot buffer zone;then cut, the disease is detected early and its pile,and burn material;if possible, distribution is limited. High-value treat stumps to prevent resprouting; areas can be replanted with resistant then broadcast burn to consume the host ecotypes or nonsusceptible spe- litter layer.The Oregon Department of cies to prevent exotic weed invasion Agriculture and Oregon Department and maintain recreational landscapes of Forestry worked with private land- and visual beauty. AY Aftermath '7m _ �a a Of SUddenOak Death in California } �r f Research and Monitoring ffective regulations,treatment diagnostic techniques and test methods,resource utilization management options. Finding the and best management origin of the pathogen could yield practices for professionals and important clues to its management. the general public all depend on We need to determine and track research. Since P. ramorum is a pathogen distribution and impacts pathogen new to science, researchers on ecosystem components. In order need to learn about the pathogen to prioritize control efforts,we biology,disease epidemiology,and need to assess impacts and balance pathways of spread—as well as host management options with risk and and geographic ranges—in order social factors. to develop integrated management programs.We need to refine r 1 11 1• 1 � 1 •� � � The pathogen spreads through spores in soil, water, plants, and plant debris. I i t International Cooperation he pathogen has been found regulations and inspection procedures in many European nurseries in order to maintain trade and protect and a few public gardens on oak woodlands.These regulations ornamental plants. In response,the must balance the needs of the forestry, European Union developed a sys- horticultural,and agricultural indus- tem of plant passports that enables tries. USDA APHIS frequently updates tracking nursery stock from first its regulations,as new hosts are identi- producer to the retail market. The fied.Their inspectors are trained in United Kingdom is devoting consider- symptom recognition and kept up-to- able resources to developing sensitive date on susceptible plants to inspect. field diagnostic kits. Researchers and The USDA Forest Service updates F• regulatory officials worldwide are de- its risk assessment for P. ramorum veloping appropriate and standardized annually and provides it to U.S. trading partners. r I� I Researchers and regulatory officials worldwide are developing inspection procedures and detection methods to stop the spread of nonnative invasive pests like Phytophthora ramorum. I• I � h � I r t� 4 � YI Public Outreach and Partnerships udden Oak Death is receiving prevention,eradication,and slow-the- national and international spread programs,because no single media coverage,and the public agency has the technical expertise, is looking for strong management and authority,or financial resources to policy to protect natural resources. address the issue independently. To achieve effective adaptive management of the disease,Federal Longstanding cooperation between and State personnel must devote organizations provides the necessary resources to outreach activities for basis for launching a successful rapid partners,organizations,Tribes,and response to the threat of Sudden communities on Sudden Oak Death. Oak Death. Collaborations such as ` Cohesive action will be crucial to that fostered by the California Oak prevent pathogen spread.Phytophthora Mortality Task Force provide prime ramorum is found on land of multiple opportunities to pool resources for ownerships,making coordination research,to learn more about the essential between all levels of disease and how to control it,and for government,nonprofit organizations, management activities to implement 3 industries,and private landowners. what is learned. Oak ecosystems are a J*, )r Good coordination will ensure priceless resource,and they require a that funds are spent efficiently and rapid,effective response to the threat program efforts are not duplicated. of Sudden Oak Death. Land managers from affected agencies must jointly develop effective WARN 1 N G SUDDEN OAK DEAT RESTRICTED AREA REMOVAL OF PLANT MATERIAL PROHIBITED r N SHOES AND TOOLS BEFORE LEAVING AREA • � � � a\� � F INFORMATION0.0 AR 603.052- • ter„ �Kulde dam..r+ •,��"'"° ,,a.+^ � - ud+ •sue"s, .+ "r Oregon ,rrs{,_o r u n a+•I „m m.• .+ n �•jO•r• r•etles i' 12 I j 't k., t l •'L,r ''� -- _ ��` `1��/ � i .mod, -,+ �-r •ti'� _( � •.. •�' 1p • ` �r.r � ?•fit/ - --+• .. ...'�".k• _ � K-. ./ 7 Vic:'',•,- �► r• 96 ev r�' '?�J�' ,•'oaf,� r� '�!I r' .i I� .. -; f.- �; :�� � � a, i � • - � �• fit; IPIAL t• ✓ r For more information contact: USDA Forest Service State and Private Forestry Forest Health Protection 1601 North Kent Street RPC, 7th Floor (FHP) Arlington,VA 22209 r Phone: 703-605-5352 I�TiP Web site: http://www.fs.fed.tis/foresthealth t s�r I USDA ups 1 'rhe U.S.I)cpartment of Agriculture(USDA)prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the hasis of race,color,national origin,sex,religion,age,disability,political beliefs, sexual orientation,or marital or family status.(Not all pruhihited hales apply to ail programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means lin communication of program informa- tion(liraille,large print,audiotape,etc.)should contact USDNs TARGET Center at(202)720-2600 (voice and TIM). '16 file a complaint of discrimination,write USDA,Director,Office of('.ivil Rights,Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue,SW,Washington,DC 20250-9410 or call(202) � 720-5964(voice and TIM),USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. FS-794 August 2004 t SUDDENOMLM 3�1Y DEATH and Phytophthora ramorum y A guide for forest managers, Christmas tree growers, and forest-tree nursery operators in Oregon and Washington Figure 1.A tanoak killed by Sudden Oak Death in Curry County,OR. Sudden Oak Death: a summary E.M. Goheen, E. Hansen, • Sudden Oak Death is the common name for a disease caused A. Kanaskie, N. Osterbauer, by Phytophthora ramorum, a previously unknown and J. Parke, J. Pscheidt, recently introduced non-native pathogen. and G. Chastagner • Phyophthora ramorum has killed hundreds of thousands of oak and tanoak trees in 14 coastal counties in California and Ellen Michaels Goheen, USDA Forest Service, hundreds of tanoak trees in Curry County, Oregon. Pacific Northwest Region, Forest Health Pro tection, Central Point, OR;Everett Hansen, The pathogen has a wide host range including Douglas-fir, Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, grand fir, coast redwood, and many other tree and shrub Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR; species common in Oregon and Washington forests. Tree mor- Alan Kanaskie, Oregon Department of tality, branch and shoot dieback, and leaf spots result Forestry,Salem OR;Nancy Osterbauer, from infection depending on host species and location. Oregon Department of Agriculture,Salem, OR;Jennifer Parke,Department of Botany Phytophthora ramorum spreads aerially by wind and wind- and Plant Pathology,Oregon State University, driven rain and moves within forest canopies from tree tops Corvallis, OR;Jay Pscheidt,Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State to stems and shrubs and from understory plants to overstory University,Corvallis,OR;and Gary Chastagner, trees.The pathogen survives in infested plant material, litter, Washington State University, Western soil, and water. It is moved long distances in nursery stock. Washington Research and Extension Center,Puyallup, WA. State and federal personnel regularly survey forests and nurs- eries in the Pacific Northwest to detect the disease. • Quarantine regulations, which include inspection and sanita- tion, are in place and are revised as necessary. • In Oregon and Washington, when infected plants are discov- ered, they and neighboring host plants are destroyed. Oregon State Extension UNIVERSITY Service YOUR HELP is needed to protect Oregon and Washington from further damage from Phytophthora ramorum! f EM 8877•April 2006 •$2.50 Introduction • Activities ranging from timber harvest to collecting wild greens,and from growing Not since white pine blister rust was intro- Christmas trees to managing forest-tree duced accidentally to the Northwest,nearly nurseries,could be affected. 100 years ago,has a forest tree disease caused so much turmoil in the western forestry com- Some history munity. Even before Phytophthora ramorum was discovered in Oregon in 2001,disease Unprecedented levels of tanoak(Lithocar- survey and monitoring programs were in place. Pus densiflorus) and coast live oak(Quercus Since 2001,the pace of survey,eradication, agrifolia)mortality were noted first in Mann and cooperative research continues to acceler- County,CA in the early to mid-1990s.Local resi- dents � ate, all while the popular media and an inter- coined the phrase"Sudden Oak Death" ested public anxiously await results. to describe the apparently rapid tree mortality they observed.The cause was then unknown. Why are forest tree growers and forest In 2000, a new species of Phytophthora, a resource managers in the Pacific Northwest fungus-like water mold of unknown origin, paying such close attention? Because: was isolated from cankers(localized areas • Sudden Oak Death readily kills dominant of dead cambium)on dying trees and later tanoak,coast live oak, and California black was found to be the causal agent. Soon it was oak trees. recognized that the same pathogen was caus- ing leaf blight, stem cankers, and tip dieback • Extensive tree mortality already has dra- on nursery-grown rhododendrons and vibur- matically altered forest landscapes. nums in Europe.The new species was named Figure 2(below).An aerial • The disease has appeared in horticultural nur- Phytophthora ramorum in 2001. With the view of tanoak trees killed series and garden centers and can be moved European connection,attention in California by Phytophthora ramorum long distances quickly via infected plants. turned to plant nurseries in affected areas,and in Curry County,OR.Note • The causal agent has a broad host range of diseased rhododendron plants soon were found the orange-red crowns of more than 100 species in several plant fami- in several nurseries. recent) killed trees. lies, and many susceptible forest species + Y In 2001,P. ramorum was detected in Curry Figure 3(at bottom).The grow from California to British Columbia. County, in extreme southwestern Oregon,on same site after eradication • The disease can spread from plants in the tanoak,Pacific rhododendron(Rhododendron treatment. understory to nearby trees and from tree macrophyllum),and evergreen huckleberry crowns to plants on the forest (Vaccinium ovatum). Nine disease centers, �. floor. ranging from 0.5 to 11 acres and totaling less • Economically and ecologi- than 40 acres, were found in tanoak forests in a cally valuable conifers, rural residential area,on private forest industry including Douglas-fir, coast land,and on federal land administered by the redwood,and true firs, are U.S. Department of Interior Bureau of Land on the host list. Management.The Oregon Department of r • State,national, and inter- Agriculture immediately quarantined a i national quarantines have 9-square-mile area. Infected and surrounding been imposed.All host plant material in disease centers was cut,piled, plant species grown in and burned in a continuing program to eradi- affected areas are regulated. cate the pathogen(Figures 2 and 3, at left). $ . • Horticultural nurseries in In May 2003,P. ramorum was discovered in a Oregon and Washington, as wholesale horticultural nursery in Clackamas well as in California,have County, OR on Pieris, Viburnum, and Rho- lost millions of dollars from dodendron; in June 2003,P. ramorum was destruction of infected stock reported on rhododendron and other hosts at and loss of markets. a retail outlet in Washington State that was 2 Sudden Oak Death and Phytophthora ramorum i 1 t affiliated with the Clackamas nursery.An international shipment of rhododendrons was the suspected source of contamination in those O R G O N incidents.That same month,infected camellias F R I A shipped from California were found in other Oregon nurseries.In March 2004,it was deter- mined that infected camellias from another large wholesale nursery in southern California had been shipped throughout the United States and Canada,including to Oregon,Washington,and British Columbia. Nationwide,state and federal agencies continue to track,confirm,and destroy infected plants and to search for new infections in landscapes and forest areas surrounding intro- duction sites. Distribution and damage 5°n°m SOW Mari • i Currently in California P. ramorum is found in San Francisco forest or woodland environments in 14 coastal San counties from Monterey County in the south to Mat - t Humboldt County in the north(Figure 4). Mor- tality of coast live oak and tanoak continues C'uz throughout the affected area. Not all stands are affected; in 2004, mortality was particularly intense in the Big Sur area, south of Monterey, and in 2005 attention was focused on an out- break in southern Humboldt County. # Hundreds of thousands of coast live oak, tanoak, and California black oak trees have been killed by P. ramorum in California. '' yo Thousands of hazardous dead trees have been =` removed from campgrounds,private property, and roadsides. High-value trees have died in parks and backyards, changing aesthetics and Figure 4.Distribution of Sudden Oak Death as of December 12,2005.Red reducing property values. Extensive areas of triangles are confirmed isolations of Phytophthora ramorum;counties in mortality have led to concerns about increased darker yellow have P.ramorum confirmed in wildland.Data from California fire hazard,particularly in the wildland—urban Department of Food and Agriculture and pathologists at the University of interface and in municipal watersheds. Scien- California,Davis and Berkeley campuses.California host data from CAL GAP tists are studying the short-term impacts on a Analysis Project.Oregon host data from OR GAP Analysis Project.Nursery variety of wildlife species for whom the loss confirmations are not depicted.Map by UCB CAMFER,http://kellylab. of oaks means loss of food and habitat.Native berkeley.edu/SODmonitoring/ Americans living in or near infested areas are concerned about the direct effect of oak mortality on their food-gathering traditions and about how damage to other hosts might impact traditional activities such as berry picking and basket making. Sudden Oak Death and Phytophthora ramorum 3 l — � In Oregon,new infested forest sites have been detected in Curry County since 2001 (Figure 5 and Table 1). Most of the new finds in Oregon have been adjacent to older sites, although a few trees have been iden- tified up to a mile away from previ- ous infections.Tanoak is the only species being killed by P. ramorum in Oregon,although wild rhododendron and evergreen huckleberry suffer die- j back.A recent find of disease within a few hundred yards of the current boundary has resulted in expansion of the Curry County quarantine area ,.' . in February 2006.The eradication effort continues. Long-term impacts of Sudden Oak Death at the watershed or forest 14 ecosystem level are hard to predict. Changes in forest cover result in changes in microclimates, influenc- ing species composition and forest ' succession.The loss of a single spe- cies or more subtle shifts in speciesk composition may have profound effects in the decades ahead. Nurseries on the West Coast have Brookings been surveyed for the disease,and several have been found infested. _ When found, infected plants and Figure 5.Distribution of P.ramorum in Curry County,OR,and the bound- f their neighbors have been destroyed ary of the regulated area(red lines)as of February 2006. and adjacent environs surveyed for P.ramorum. In Europe, P. ramorum has been widely dis- some landscape plantings in 15 countries.The persed through the nursery trade and in some most common hosts are Rhododendron, Vibur- locations has become established in woodland num, and Pieris, but it also has attacked mature settings. It is in nurseries,garden centers,or landscape trees, including North American red oak and some other oak species,beech, and horse chestnut.The native oaks of northern Table 1.Eradication progress in Curry County,Oregon. Europe, in the white oak group, have not been 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 affected. European countries are attempting New SOD trees 91 85 49 30 49* to stop further spread of the pathogen and to Acres treated 40 8 12 10 18* eradicate it from the nursery trade. In England, where spread from understory rhododendrons Quarantine area 9 9 11 11 21.5** to nearby trees has been observed, scientists (square miles) are attempting to eradicate the disease from *as of December 2005 the few parks and wildlands where it is estab- **as of February 2006 lished.They are using methods similar to those used in Oregon. 4 Sudden Oak Death and Phytophthora ramorum t There is great concern about the vulnerability �;.� f , of the oak forests of the eastern United States to •; • �,r' P. ramorum(Figure 6). Laboratory tests and experience in the United ': •• '" Kingdom indicate that •• native red oak species are . , • .',' at risk. In thousands of acres of forest,understory ,'• . ,• ' host composition and climate may be similar enough to affected areas in California and Oregon that the disease could Maim r4 . Nigh become established.The Moderate recent transport of the Low pathogen on nursery stock from West Coast nurseries to eastern states caused Figure 6.Predicted vulnerability of forests in the United States to Phytophthora ramorum,based on presence of great alarm and triggered potentially susceptible vegetation,favorable climate,and likely pathways.Map by USDA Forest Service. intensive efforts to find and destroy infected plants in the eastern nurseries and to survey surround- monitor as well as the costs of the regulatory ing forest areas for disease.To date there is no and eradication efforts. evidence that Sudden Oak Death has become Losses to date could be dwarfed if the disease established in eastern forests. spreads northward and impacts conifer produc- The full economic impact of Sudden Oak tion areas. Even though current knowledge sug- Death has not been tallied,but it will be many gests Douglas-fir and coast redwood are unlikely tens of millions of dollars. Direct losses are to suffer serious growth loss or mortality,the greatest in the horticultural nursery industry, economic impact of quarantine regulations where thousands of plants have been destroyed affecting trade in conifer and hardwood prod- to stop the spread of disease. Further losses ucts, logs,Christmas trees, and tree seedlings from disrupted and lost markets also must could be great. be borne by the industry. Neither tanoak nor coast live oak is a valuable timber tree,but in The pathogen both California and Oregon outbreak areas, the amenity value of trees around homes can Phytophthora ramorum is an Oomycete, a be great. We also must include the costs to water mold that looks like a fungus but is more remove dead trees,to dispose of the infective closely related to some marine algae. Most Phy- green waste sanitarily,and to survey and tophthora species are root pathogens, but Sudden Oak Death and Phytophthora ramorum 5 I 1 I l Phytophthora ramorum affects aboveground Spread of Phytophthora ramorum plant parts. P. ramorum is well adapted to the mild, wet conditions of the Pacific Northwest. In the forest, the pathogen spreads from tree The pathogen forms sporangia(sacs of spores) to tree as zoospores or sporangia in water: via on infected leaves or twigs(Figure 7).The rain splash,drip and stem flow, and wind-driv- sporangia are spread in wind and rain and can en rain.Tanoak twigs and leaves are infected Figure 7.Closeup of a release swimming zoospores if they land on first in the upper crown. New growth in spring Phytophthora sporangium a wet surface.The zoospores germinate and is most susceptible.Zoospores swim through releasing swimming spores infect the plant, starting a new infection. Phy- "Water films on the surface of leaves or stems, enetrate the and te p plant. germinate, settle,ge a , rr (zoospores)in water. tophthora ramorum also makes thick-walled then se1 Photo courtesy of Fred resting spores(chlamydospores) in infected New sporangia are formed on infected leaves Schwenk,Kansas State plant parts, which allow it to survive heat and and twigs in wet weather(Figure 7)and may ? University. drought and to persist for months in soil and wash or splash down the stem. The trunk can- plant debris (Figure 8). kers that kill the tree apparently originate from spores washed from above. Rhododendrons In addition,P. ramorum has and huckleberries, and occasionally other two mating types,desig- hosts growing beneath infected trees, may be nated Al and A2. Sexual infected. Meanwhile,dislodged sporangia from spores (oospores)form if the upper crown infections also may be carried the opposite mating types by the wind to distant trees. Half of newly in- E join. Only the A2 mating fected trees are found within about 300 feet of f type has been found in the previously infected trees,a pattern consistent forests of California and Or- with wind and rain dispersal. egon, while only the 1 mating type (with Infected leaves drop to the ground,and many i * a single exception) spores land on the soil.Infested soil and leaves • • has been found in can be transported on boots,vehicles,and animals,especially in wet weather. Spores can Europe.This sug- y Bests that the North be splashed back up on low-hanging foliage ` American forest and there initiate new infections. Natural root ' infection has been observed in California forests � epidemic did not Where the spore load is very high.Phytophthora �4 originate in Europe and vice versa. Pre- ramorum also is found in streams draining sumably this disease infested areas,although no new forest infections spread from some have been traced to streams. Irrigation water unknown place in Fawn from infested streams or other water i Figure 8.Sporangia and the world where both mating types are pres- sources can start new infections. I round chlamydospores ent. Both mating types have been isolated from Not all hosts are equal when it comes to (resting spores)of Northwest nurseries,however, suggesting at spreading P. ramorum. It is believed that wood P.ramorum formed least two introductions into the nursery trade. and bark of oaks produce few P. ramorum when an infected To date, no evidence of sexual recombination spores, while leaf surfaces,particularly on Oregon myrtlewood has been found in nurseries or forests,but the Oregon myrtlewood(also known as Califor- leaf was placed in water. threat of new races of the pathogen adds one nia bay laurel),are excellent spore production more reason to halt introductions. factories. Understory plants may play a very Recently, a third genetic type of P. ramorum. important role in how the disease is maintained was found in a West Coast nursery. It is the A2 and spread within a given site. mating type but is genetically distinct from the To date,extensive P. ramorum wildland infes- fungus as known from either Europe or North tations have been reported in forest communi- America. It may provide important clues to the ties with known associated epidemiologically origin and evolutionary history of P. ramorum. important hosts(spore factories) such as s S 6 Sudden Oak Death and Phytophthora ramorum �, tanoak(California and Oregon), California in a favorable environment as the bay laurel (California), and/or coast redwood chemical wears off. (California). Currently it is not known whether other hosts can produce spore loads capable of sustaining P. ramorum and associated diseases Diseases caused by in regions of the Pacific Northwest outside the Phytophthora ramorum native range of tanoak, California bay laurel, Phytophthora ramorum affects dif- or coast redwood. ferent plant species in different ways Phytophthora ramorum also is moved long (Table 2).Not all affected species distances in infected nursery stock. Plants may are killed; some suffer tip and shoot show no symptoms or only cryptic indications dieback while others experience rela- Figure 9a of infection at the time of sale. Some fungicides tively harmless leaf spotting. Sudden that are used routinely in nurseries suppress Oak Death on trees in the oak family is symptoms of Phytophthora infection,but the characterized by"bleeding"cankers that girdle the trunks pathogen survives and may become active again of tanoaks(Figures 9 a—f)and some other oak species. Figure 9c Figure 9 d Figure 9b Figures 9a—f.Two symptoms of P.ramorum on tanoak: (9a-o bleeding on bark surface;and (9d—fl mottled discoloration of inner bark. i Y Figure 9f 4, p Table 2.One pathogen,three diseases. ' M Disease Symptoms Hosts Sudden Oak Death Bleeding cankers; Oak,tanoak Figure 9 e tree death. P.ramorum Shoot tip dieback. Coast redwood,Douglas-fir,evergreen shoot blight huckleberry,true fir hosts,Pacific madrone, Pacific yew,rhododendron,tanoak P.ramorum Petiole and midrib necrosis;leaf spots on Cascara,myrtlewood,rhododendron,tanoak leaf blight edges or leaf tips;leaf spots with margins that look water soaked. Sudden Oak Death and Phytophthora ramorum 7 Ambrosia beetles and sapwood decay fungi such as Hypoxylon thouarsianum often are associated r. with infected trees, hastening death (Figures 10a—b). On rhododendron, evergreen huckleberry, Pacific madrone, Douglas-fir, true fir hosts, and coast redwood, the disease is characterized by leaf blight and shoot dieback and is more Figures 10a—b. Ambrosia beetles,as evidenced by appropriately called Phytophthora 1 characteristic boring dust(at left above)and ramorum shoot blight (Figure I 1 sapwood decay fungi Hypoxylon thouarsianum and Figures 12 a—c).The leaf peti- (above right)often are associated with ole and midrib may be discolored, P.ramorum-infected oaks. or the leaf tip or entire leaf blade may be necrotic (Figure 13). Leaf spots often occur where water Figure 11.Symptoms of P.ramorum infection on shoot tips of Douglas-fir. t ( a` � r Figures 12 a—c.Shoot dieback symptoms of P.ramorum on evergreen huckleberry(above), rhododendron(at right),and tanoak(at far right). Figure 13(at right).Blackened j petioles and midribs are typical symptoms of P.ramorum on tanoak leaves. r =a. a I [ 8 Sudden Oak Death and Phytophthora ramorum _ r f accumulates on the leaf margins. Shoots die Oregon myrtlewood loses its older leaves in back when the disease is severe. On tanoak, early summer after new leaves emerge,whether Douglas-fir,true fir hosts,and coast redwood, infected or not,symptomatic leaves may not be small twigs,sprouts,and new shoots are readily available for inspection. affected(Figure 11,Figure 12c,and In general,symptoms caused by P. ramorum Figures 14a—c); succulent stems droop or become crooked, symptoms similar to those are similar to symptoms caused by other agents, in particular other Phytophthora spe- of frost damage. Other hosts, such as Oregon myrtlewood or cascara,may be infected but Gies. Diagnostic techniques such as culturing show only subtle symptoms,such as yellow or DNA analysis are critical for identifying this tips on the lower leaves(Figure 15). Because Pathogen. Figures 14a—c. Symptoms of P.ramorum on coast redwood(at far left)and grand fir(at left).Note sprout dieback and dead needles on coast redwood and(below,left)dieback of grand fir leader. n w r Figure 15(above).Symptoms '•�` f` of P.ramorum on Oregon myrtlewood(California bay laurel). Sudden Oak Death and Phytophthora ramorum 9 �� ��� ���������� ��m��. Rx� u�mda� li��umh�� Hosts �mnnV� symptoms °� �»ouu nuu^� hosts and associated species, see hUp:H\**v« The host list for Phytophthora mmomm is aphis.usda.gov/ppq/ispm/pramomm/ large and growing and includes many species In addition to the APHIS lists, laboratory tests comnnnon|yfound in Pacific Y�oU N hwcuifvozm using artificial inoculation indicate that many (7ah|c 3). For regulatory purposes, the Animal more plant species, both wild undcukivu1od and Plant 8cu|th Inspection Service of the U.S. ' ` are susceptible\o/! rumo,um' but these Depmtnnentof Agriculture (USDA APHIS) npecieaare not nc�u|y|edbecause they have maintains two official host lists. One list is of om4bccnfbundnmiu,uU� inh:ck:d Artificial host species: plants that have been ' iuocu|uhoouyc*hi�hmpnnn |oodsundop|inouno infected naturally in forests or nurseries and environments for infection. whose susceptibility has been proven by accepted wcicubhc methods.The other |imi is ln California forests where infection |uvo\x are of^asswcimked''host species: that is, plants very high, more undmra|ory species are infected that have been naturally infected but on which than io Oregon forests where the spore load is testing iy not yet complete.The associated-host kept very low bY the eradication program. list includes some important western wi|d|und species such us white fir, grand fir, red fir, and Infection � ^�m ��n ������o�rs Susceptibility of conifer hosts deserves Table 3.Western woodland confirmed host speciesw0 Phytophthara mamorum. special mention because nf their importance Additional in Pacific Northwest forests. No natural Plantinfection of any conifer has been observed in Oregon or Washington. In California, l�munpmdem��ma �noak OR,[A Bole'ank*o,dmth ' however, Doug|au-hr red fir, grand fir, 0uercusoo�b&� coast Ro|pmnkem"dm�h ~ white fir,coast redwood, and Pacific yew 0uonzuch(ysnAepk canyon live oak{A Bole cankers,death are infected when growing beneath infected Vuenzukc&muii California black oak{A Bole cankers,death oaks and California bay iuurc| (Figure I 0ueuzoparmul,mcshrewei Shreve oak[A Bole cankers,death and Figures 14u—c. pages 8 and grompeo' A/tukamen6esii madmne[A Shm¢dieback dve|y). Inoculation studies indicate that Araostophylos mmunndo manzanita6A Shmddieback other conifers,empcciu|ly.4bies myecies, are xuxccpdb|cundmnuybodurnu��dif�xpow�d y�xdoUa@umeo��� Douglas-0/[A Shm�dieback to high i000u\uno |cv�|u. Rhododendron Rad0cMhmdodendmn0K 5hm�dieback leVuoiaannpenvireno coast redwood{A Shoot dieback Infection occurs in spring through bud TaxmhrewYolia Pacific yew Shootdiehuck scars u|the base nf new growth; only fo|�o�� und�wi�oun� uA�c|�d (�i�ur� |� Nozn�mnm�m/ mengmenhucNeben huckleberry Sbm�dieback and Figures |4u—c, pm�co8 uodgncxp�o- Aormoonphy@m/ b|g|euf maple[A Leaf blight dve|y).The damage ou Douglas-fir and Adkmtumu&nticzm/ western maidenhair fern[A Leaf blight true fir hosts looks much like injury fronn AdkanNmou6mii California maidenhair fern[A Leaf blight u late frost orBotryhx tip blight. Repeated | Aeauluooalifomkn California buckeye[A Leaf blight infection may kill seedlings and saplings nr � /ranuuld(Rhumnus)onifomUca California mfeeherry[A Leaf blight greatly alter their growth. Similarly, only 0nnymld(Rhmnnus)puohianu cascara CA,OR Leaf blight the foliage and small-diameter sprouts of couutrcdvvoodhu�� hucn [oundin6ro|�d 8oAmnn�oo�o�h0u �ynn{A Leaf blight ' � ��cuus�troukcunk�,whovcuoiyc|huco 1on�rnh�i�� [a|Komiahoneysuckle[k Leaf blight found on Douglas-fir and coast redwood, Rosa gymnocarpa wood rose CA Leaf blight only nursery stock, foliage, and rnu/eriub Trientalis la8fo0u western starflower L8 Leaf blight less than l inch diameter(such umsprouts Umbellularia californka Oregon myrtlewood OR Leaf blight and shoots) are regulated, not logs or|um' C |Ko bay laurel CA bec True fir hosts, currently onthe CA California,OK=Oregon associated-hosts list, are regulated uy nursery stock ut this time.10 / \ Sudden Oak Death and Phytoyhthorammmnm Everyone in the field should be on alert Field-going forestry,plantation,and nursery per- sonnel should be aware of the symptoms caused by P. ramorum. Several guides to diagnosing P. ramo- rum infection are available on the Web. Master =; Gardeners,county Extension agents, and plant pathologists in forestry and agricultural agencies throughout Washington and Oregon are being ' trained to recognize the symptoms of P. ramorum and to be the"First Detector"in diagnosis. Symp- toms caused by P. ramorum are easily confused with those caused by other Phytophthora species and other plant pathogens and insects. Positive figure 16.Tanoak mortality diagnosis can be made only using laboratory techniques. in the understory. Stopping Nurseries,Christmas tree plantations,and other sites considered at high risk also are sur- Su d d e n 0 a k Death veyed and sampled by the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and the Washington Management efforts in Pacific Northwest State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) with forests and nurseries focus on eradicating the assistance from USDA APHIS. If P. ramorum pathogen where it is found and on prevent- is found in a nursery or other site,the eradica- ing new infections. In California, where the tion protocol requires additional perimeter disease is more extensive, a"slow the spread" surveys in the surrounding landscape plantings strategy is in place. Early detection is vital to and wildlands. preventing disease spread. Practices useful in managing other foliar Phytophthora diseases in Eradication nurseries also will help protect plants from P. ramorum infection. If P. ramorum is found, ODA,WSDA, and USDA APHIS work with the landowner to prevent further disease spread and to eradicate Detection surveys the infestation.The agencies continue to moni- Several P. ramorum detection surveys are for the site after eradication until it has been conducted each year in at-risk forest areas by free of P. ramorum for 2 years.The USDA has the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) and drafted uniform procedures for dealing with the USDA Forest Service. The forest range of nursery,residential, and landscape infestations. tanoak is systematically surveyed from a fixed- Check the final regulatory action plan posted wing aerial survey plane,and suspicious trees on the ODA,WSDA,and USDA APHIS web- are mapped.A follow-up helicopter survey sites (see last page) for up-to-date information. provides a closer look for symptomatic trees and enables more precise map coordinates.All Nurseries and Christmas tree plantations suspect trees are checked from the ground and Under current federal regulations,nurser- samples collected for confirmation as appropri- ies and Christmas tree plantations are treated ate. In addition, annual ground surveys check similarly. Phytophthora ramorum has not been the perimeters of previously treated areas for found in forest-tree nurseries or Christmas tree newly infected trees. plantations in Oregon or Washington. It has Sudden Oak Death and Phytophthora ramorum 11 been found in Christmas tree plantations in If you work in infested forest areas California,however, where it affects Douglas- • Inform your crews that they are working in an area infested fir and several true fir species. with P. ramorum. If P. ramorum is found in Northwest nurseries • Inform them that unauthorized collection or transport of host or Christmas tree plantations,eradication will plant material is prohibited. be ordered. Shipment of host and associated • Provide them with sanitation kits containing: chlorine bleach host plants will be prohibited until the extent of solution(one part bleach to nine parts water)or a product such infection within the site has been determined. as Clorox Clean-up; a scrub-brush; a metal scraper; a boot All plants within a block that contains infected brush; and plastic gloves. plants,and susceptible plants within 2 meters of that block, will be destroyed by burning or • Use all reasonable methods to sanitize personal gear and crew burial. Healthy-appearing host plants within equipment before leaving a P. ramorum-infested site. Scrape, 10 meters of the infested block(s) will be held brush, and/or hose off soil and mud from clothing, gloves, for a period of time to observe symptoms; boots,and shoes(Figure 17).Remove mud and plant debris fungicide treatment will be prohibited during from vehicles and equipment by sweeping,blowing,or power this time so that symptoms will not be masked. washing. Soil, irrigation water, and potting media also • When possible, work on P. ramorum-infested sites during the will be tested for P. ramorum.Additional treat- dry season or during dry spells. When working in wet condi- ments may be ordered to deal with infested soil tions,keep equipment on paved or dry surfaces. or containers. • Work in disease-free areas before proceeding to infested sites. Properties and naturalized areas surrounding infested nurseries also will be surveyed for P. ramorum. Trace-back investigations will be con- ducted to determine the source of infected plants,and trace- forward investigations will be WARNING conducted if any plants from SUDDEN OAK DEATH the infested block(s)or field arc*airrcp pRFG were shipped. Shipment of host 503 and associated host plants may _ dJ-0?"'° resume after tests show the disease is gone. Nurseries will be tested for at least the next 2 years. In Oregon and Washington horticultural nurseries,the eradication program has been largely successful. However, the importation of new infected stock from out of state is a con- tinuing threat. Should a recur- rent infection be found within a nursery, a more stringent Figure 17.A forest pathologist washes his boots before he leaves the regulated area in Curry County,OR. eradication protocol will likely be enforced. 12 Sudden Oak Death and Phytophthora ramorum i a i� Forestsettings cut stumps (Figures 18a—c). Federal forestry State of Oregon regulations mandate the eradi- agencies are cooperating with Oregon in cation of Phytophthora ramorum where found eradication efforts and have completed envi- in the forest on state and private lands. Infected ronmental analyses for eradication activities on trees are cut and burned,along with all host federal lands when necessary. ODA continues plants growing within at least 100 feet or more to monitor new growth and soil on the eradica- of infected plants. Herbicides have been used tion sites. So far, about 88 forest acres have to reduce the likelihood of resprouting from been treated in Curry County. r Y d Figures 18a—c. Infected . , tanoak is burned on a 1 site in Curry County,OR (above left and right). After the burn(left),the site's alders remain. a . y r S't fin, h J � ,4 Sudden Oak Death and Phytophthora ramorum 13 �*X Protecting �� ����noun�� ������8��� ����� �~o»�u°.*.� un l�n �� ��°�vmu.n°~ The greatest risk of spreading/! unmnr«m |* Forest resource managers bm the Pacific North- new arcuuin |heNorthvvea\imthrnughnuove- west need to be alert for inadvertent intro- ment of infected plants or plant parts. If ducdonaof this pathogen,especially when infected plants are transported|o areas with importing mnutedu) from areas with known hosts and usuitable environment, the pathogen infestations. Managers also need /ubeaware will likely become established over time. of the regulations on moving host material. Always be sure o{the source and health of Regulations help slow spread, but common your planting stock. l[possible, purchase sense iy your best protection. planting stock that has been certified ua /! romo/«n/-free through un official inspection Transporting6antKM0me�al and certification program. P. rumorum also ' survives in and can be spread via movement of Do not transport oak firewood or other po\en- in[ooicdsoil and water. duUy infected plant materials from infested areas in California and Oregon to other areas. � ��������� � ' '^ ^'-^'and suppression Visiting ' 6,omwd areas with fungicides If you visit iu6:yhod uneas, vvumh your vehicle Most conventional fungicides are not cMec- and shoes and remove leaf litter and other plant bve against Phyky/ho400u species because the debris from vehicles, other equipment, and species are not true fungi. Several classes of clothing before traveling to disease-free areas. compounds are active against P6v/oyh/6nous, 1 however. Carefully used, these can be useful Importing nursery inpn`tecdng plants against infection. They ' � ^ xe|dnrnkill the pathogen, bovvcvccif the plant ln{)'�Aon. ifinnPnnin�nuracrym\oobofhos� ia u|ocudy inf�c|�d� lnnt�ed, ibc� maymasktrees o/shrubs hmmn any source (out ofstate � oynup\onmdeve\opmmcoL and lead|oinodve�en( nrin(�muudonu|). younouu�no|ifvdh� l�uo' tranaporiof infected stock and spread o[the crY8i [bh*innuwTn�� P»o�runo8upervinorui diycaxe. Oncecbenoicu\ aodvhybusmubuided tbc ()rc�onD�par<mo�u�of&�dcu|�urchyfux (abou\ 3 |o�nmonibn).p6r»!y�/6o/ucuo (503-g86-4786) orbyc-nnuU (quarunbne�>odu. x�u1��n�us) Plants nnuaibcuc�ihcdasbeing r�muru��/ow|h *iihinioK:c|cdp|antx� �bim is � ��chnmnJ� ru/nnrx/u �unh�r�oh»unubonou why plants born other nurseries must be bo\d � for several months to see whether symptoms Oregon's import regulations is online u|hKp:// becornecvidcni egovoncgno.gov/}DA/PL./\y47[ For specific fungicides,consult the |uiext cdi' In Washington, if importing any bout plants donof the/\NN/Plant Disease Management you must bein compliance with the Washing- Handbook(oee the last page of this publication ton notification rule and notify the Nursery for ordering information) o/visit A^uOnline Inspection Supervisor in Olympia by fax (3bO- Guide to Plant[)ioeuae Control at: 902-2044)or e-mail (uuruery@u8cwo.Qov). Portbo�infonnuhnniuuvuUuh|�on|incut hi\p:8h|unt-diseaxcjppcomt.edu/index.chn. h8p://agr.wu.gov/Planim{oxectw/Dimeuwco/SOD/ Illegal importations may result iusignificant fines. USDA quarantine regulations pertaining ( toP. mmommmoon|ineuibttp://www.mhim. / � uada.gov/000/impm6Prum/orucn. / 14 Sudden Oak Death and Phytophthoraummum Learning the range ofsymptoms this regulation. For current information on quarantines and other Sudden {�ukCex/��regu- �an��|imi�� youm�|fundyoura|uffwi�hd/� nungcof symptoms caused 6y /! nun/o/um. |uhona. visit the()K}&wchxiteatbUp:Hegov. oncgougov/OD/�/PLA��1[ the VVS[)/�webni/e Ch�okyourp|antmo8cn. Diu�ayc*ouu*�db� oregon.gov/ODA/PLANI', oiherPhv/op6n>oruop�ci�mconcuuo� *imnUur http://agr.wa.gov/Plantsliisects/Diseases/ - symptoms. 80DV. and the USDA APHIS webmkeathU //p� wvvmopbiu.uadu.gov/opq/iapn/oneznonumo. I[youuuspoc\ /! ro/no/um. cun|uc\citherihe ln addition to USDA APHIS ru�u|uhons ()rcgonDcpu�nmcn|of/�&�cu|\urc^alnvaoive ` several foreign countries have imposed quur' Species Bo||inc. 1'866'|NVADER, or the unbneunn movement of host materials from Washington 8|u|e University plant disease infested areas in California,(}ro�on` and diagnostician, 1-253-445'4582. Washington. These restrictions cover horticu| Forquexdonavc|utcd\obuokyun]orvvoodlund /uxu| and forest nursery stock, Christmas trees, plants, the(lS0orVVSU Extension office in and in some cases logs and lumber. your county and/or Master Gardeners in Exten- sion offices can assist with identification, or Inspection '� ��^�� �^ local USDA FnremService ofhcc*can put you unsU���~~�i��� a��moce"^�xoca~Uon in contact with appropriate diagnostic experts. USDA APHIS adopted u Federal Order un � Diagnosis, using several tcobuiqucm, may take December 2|` 2004, that requires all nursery and planting stock kun`<�uhforniu' ()nc�on | �o2 wc�kyorup\o un"oo�h or more. While ' and Washington iobc inspected and certified waiting for ��u�mm�ix,�*m*�npwwx mrm�' ~' ~ ^ free nfP. 00/xorx/n prior io export from these symptomatic plants' states. � contaminated. All nurseries exporting plant material must he u//norum��cicdfbr inspected P. ! Be alert for myrop\unum ou any shrub and |oce visually species, not just those on the list o[hosts and Growers uf host or associated host plant stock p|uo| species associated with P. oz»/orx/n. must have their plants tested for P. romonvnu in � If your business io conifer nursery stock, addition tu the visual inspection. Christmas trees, or forest products, don't More information about this program iy avail- bring ornamental plants near your production a6|uoolincuthop://*wv/.aphix.u*do.gov/opu/ areas.An infected rhododendron planted as an imprn/onamnorunn. ornamental will trigger inspection and holds oo your conifer stock um quickly amoninfected Or��onhu*adup|�du*ioui1urrcQu|udonfor Douglas-fir. nursery and planting stock grown for uxpoU and for sale within the miu\o. Lists of nurseries ° pm�ic)putingin the inmpochonand certification ��UU������U����� pm&mmu� uvuUuh\oonline 0mmthe O�goo -~__' _''-'''__ ����.� �����UN0����~������ Dcpartoncntof/�gduu||u,e (hup:�egovon:8on. ��."�� ""� � &� &op/)D/�/PL/�N7) and the�/uyhiogton8r�e ���� � **uu� State and federal regulatory actions have been p*pmrtmnon|nfAAdcubu,c (hUp://ugcvvu.gov/ | inup\cnoon\cd |o help prevent the movement of Piun(»lnxec\n/Diycumea/D0[}/). . infested wood, bark, forest greenery and other wild material, soil, and host nursery miockfn`mn infested areas./\t this time, 21.5 square miles of forest in Curry County, OR are subject to r � � Sudden Oak Death and Phytmmhthmmnnnmom 15 � V���� ������' °~~���N������°���� K-~�. �u""wo*~ ������un,x^*��v°m, Information on Sudden Oak Death�tu� Univ� � �x��nek�n ��rv�� , Oregon ' B 1e��0 B()Dxebmitu `~~~~^~v ~'~^s'''�^ � htto://ex8enmkm/.00egonmkate check online sources � —'_g_—''-_`_-__—.ob.o The Extension Servicesof Oregon State Dni' vcmi Washington State University, and University of Idaho.An Online Guide to Davidson,J.M.` S. Wenco, M. Carbe|o|ko, Plant Disease Control E. Hansen, and D.M Rizzo. 2003. Sudden http:Vo|uut-dioeuoe.ippo.oru\.edu/index.cfm Oak Death and associated diseases caused by P6v,00hd)oo/ru/nnrx/u. Plant Health Pycheid| } �/ andC �� (}cumnb eds. Pacific' � ' ' ` ' Progress, Plant Management Network Northwest Plant Disease Management International. Handbook (revised uonuu||y). Corvallis, http://wvvw.p|ou\ooumugerueotnetvvu,k.no/ OR: Extension Services o[Oregon State pub/ohn/diagnom\icguidc/2003/uod/ University,Washington State University, and University of Idaho. Order fonnfor Oregon Department mf Agriculture webei/e print edition online ut hUp://egor.un:gon.govX)D/\/p[.ANT � bttp://extenoimnurc8onoiu1o.cdu/»u1ul»c/ USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection ocdedbnn.pdf Service (APBI8). Pest Detection and Man- California Oak Mortality Task Force wch»be agcmnen1pogrunmm, Invasive Species and bitp://suddennukdeuih.om/ Pest Management: Sudden Oak Death hUp://wwmaphi*.uodu.gow/opu/ixpm/ prumomm Washington State Department ufAgriculture | web*ite | ' hUo://ugr.vvu.gov/P|un|uln*euta/Dixnuae»/ SU[V Regional Open Space MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT R-06-107 Meeting 06-28 November 29, 2006 AGE NDA ITEM 2 AGENDA ITEM Annual Update of Resource Management Program a GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMEN Receive an oral report on the status of Resource Management Program (no formal Board action is required). DISCUSSION This oral update will highlight the status of resource management activities on District preserves, including progress on Years 3 and 4 of the Resource Management Strategic Plan. Projects will be addressed in the following categories: resource program planning & policy development, resource inventory, water quality protection, environmental remediation, rare species management, vegetation management, ecological restoration, and wildlife management. Prepared by: Cindy Roessler, Resource Management Specialist Kirk L.enington, Resource Planner Contact person: Cindy Roessler, Resource Management Specialist Regional Open Space MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT R-06-145 Meeting 06-28 November 29, 2006 AGENDA ITEM 3 AGENDA ITEM Implement a Retiree Health Savings Plan; Amend the 401(a) Plan to Allow Accrued Leave Pre- Tax Contributions, and Amend the Personnel Policy Manual to Reflect Required Changes to the Sick Leave Conversion Language GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATIONS f I. Adopt the attached Resolution implementing a Retiree Health Savings Plan 2. Adopt the attached Resolution amending the District's 401(a) Plan to Allow Accrued Leave Pre-Tax Contributions 3. Adopt the attached Resolution amending the District's Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual to reflect the proposed changes to the Sick Leave Conversion Language DISCUSSION At your August 9, 2006 meeting you adopted Resolution No. 06-28 approving benefit changes in the new Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Field Employees Association (MROSDFEA) and Resolution No. 06-29 authorizing benefit changes for the Office, Supervisory and Management employees. The benefit changes for both groups included an increase in the amount of retiree medical payments made to employees retiring from the District and discontinued certain provisions of the Sick Leave Conversion program. Specifically, employees hired on or after August 9, 2006 no longer have the option of applying the equivalent cash value of accrued sick leave toward their cost of retiree medical plan premiums. However, for all existing employees hired prior to August 9, 2006, who retire from the District with ten (10) or more years of service, the Sick Leave Conversion for retiree medical plan premiums continues with one modification noted in the new MOA and the Personnel Policy Manual. The change is that the District would no longer hold the Sick Leave Conversion funds and issue a check each month to retirees until the account is exhausted, but instead would establish a Retiree Health Savings (RHS) account, allowing the deposit of Sick Leave Conversion funds pre-tax with non-taxable reimbursement withdrawals for qualified medical expenses when retired. The District has been working with ICMA Retirement Corp.(ICMA-RC), the provider of the District's 457 and 401(a) deferred compensation plans. ICMA-RC is the only provider for this type (RHS) of plan and has been operating the plan under an IRS Private Letter Ruling for certain provisions of the plan. Subsequently, staff was informed that ICMA-RC does not have an IRS Private Letter ruling for the provision in the Plan which allows employees to make individual irrevocable elections for sick leave contributions. Therefore the District would have to sign a disclaimer regarding this particular provision until and if the IRS makes a final decision on the irrevocable elections for sick leave conversion. If the IRS does not provide a favorable ruling the District could be subject to penalties and the individual retiree's might suffer tax R-06-145 Page 2 implications. Staff also learned, however, that if the District mandates the amount, upon retirement, that can be taken in cash and the amount that must be deposited into the RHS account, the IRS tax issue can be avoided. The ICMA-RC has IRS Private Letter Rulings that provide for mandatory deposits. By eliminating the pre-election provision in the existing personnel policies, the District retirees can enjoy the pre-tax and tax-free reimbursement the RHS plan provides. Given this new information, staff recommends that the District adopt the RHS plan, and amend the Personnel Rules to mandate the amount of sick leave the retiree takes in cash and the amount of sick leave the retiree applies toward retiree medical costs. The existing personnel rules establish the Sick Leave Conversion Program for retirees of the District with ten or more years of service with the District. Based upon years of service, the employees are entitled to 20%, 25% or 30% of equivalent cash value of accrued sick leave, with the balance to cover retiree medical costs. Retirees would also be eligible to apply 100% of their sick leave balance toward retiree medical. Given the higher amount the District now pays for retiree medical ($300 per month and $350 per month in 2009) staff is proposing to amend the personnel rules to require the employee to take the percentage (based upon years of service) in cash and require the employee to deposit the balance into the RHS account. This change ensures that there are no potential tax problems for the employee, or penalties for the District, and eliminates only the choice of the employee to apply 100% of the sick leave balance toward retiree medical. In light of this IRS issue with the RHS plan, staff looked at other methods for employees who otherwise qualify for the sick leave conversion program to have pre-tax options for the mandatory cash provision. Staff learned that the District's existing 40 1(a) deferred compensation plan can now be amended to allow leave accruals to be deposited pre-tax into the 401(a) plan with an annual limit of up to $45,000 beginning in 2007. This option does not provide for tax-free reimbursements as the RHS plan does, but it does provide for the pre-tax deposit, and the retiree has the option of utilizing the money for retiree health premiums or for any other reason. For retirees who wish to apply 100% of their sick leave balance for retiree medical, (as noted above), this amendment to the 401(a) plan would provide for that option. This option requires an irrevocable pre-retirement election by the employee. An additional recommended change to the personnel policies refers to the existing requirement that the sick leave money be applied only to retiree medical insurance premiums. The RHS program allows the retiree to be reimbursed for all qualified medical expenses. Therefore, staff proposes to eliminate the requirement that the sick leave for retiree medical be used only for premiums, as there are a number of qualified medical expenses the retiree could be reimbursed for beyond insurance premiums, i.e. co-pays, prescription costs and deductibles. Prepared by: Sally Rice, Assistant General Manager Contact person: Same as above RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OFDIRECTORS OF MIDpSN}NSDL& ' REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT ADOPTING THE V/\NTAGEC&RE RETIREMENT HEALTH SAVINGS (BB9) PROGRAM VVREKE/\S, Midpcninuu|u Regional Open Space District employees render valuable services; and WHEREAS,the establishment of a retiree health savings plan for such employees serves the � interests of Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District by enabling it to provide reasonable security for such employees' health needs during retirement, by providing increased flexibility in its personnel � management system, and hy assisting inthe attraction and retention of competent personnel; and � WHEREAS, Midpeninmu|u Regional Open Space District has determined that tile establishment � of the Retiree Health Savings Plan ("the Plan")serves the above objectives; NOW, THEREFORE BEIT RESOLVED that the Board of Directors hereby adopts the Plan in � the form of the lCM& Retirement Corporation's\/untagc[avc Retirement Health Savings program; and � B2 (T FURTHER RESOLVED that tile assets o{the Plan shall he held in trust, with � Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District serving as trustee, for tile exclusive benefit of Plan participants and their beueOuiurieu,and the assets ofthe Plan shall not be diverted to any other purpose � prior k/the satisfaction ofall liabilities ofthe Plan. The M8idpwninsu|a Regional ()ncn Space District has � executed the Declaration of Trust wFthe Midpenionu|aRegionu| ()pun Space District Integral Part Trust in � the form of: � | KI The model trust made available 6v the iCMA Retirement Corporation � [—� The trust provided by Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District(executed copy attached � hereto). BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,that the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District shall be tile � coordinator and contact for the Plan and shall receive such reports, notices, and other materials necessary for the administration of the Plan. � � � � RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT AMENDING THE 401(A) SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT PLAN WHEREAS, Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District has established a 401(A) Supplemental Retirement Plan ("the Plan"); and WHEREAS, Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District has reserved the right to amend the Plan pursuant to Section 14.01 thereof-, and WHEREAS, Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District would like to provide enhanced retirement opportunities thereunder for its employees. NOW, THEREFORE, the Plan is hereby amended, effective December 1, 2006, as follows: Employees qualifying for sick leave conversion upon retirement may make an irrevocable election during open enrollment, no later than the year prior to separation of 20%,25% or 30%of accrued sick leave, dependent upon years of service, for deposit into the Plan. PASSED AND ADOPTED, by the Board of Directors of Midpeninsula Regional Open Space 9,h District,this 2 day of November, 2006. RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT APPROVING AMENDMENTS TO THE DISTRICT'S PERSONNEL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL WHEREAS, the District adopted a Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual in 1986; and WHEREAS, the Board of Directors has amended the Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual periodically; and WHEREAS, there have been changes in the options available to the District for sick leave conversion; and WHEREAS, staff has made such amendments to the Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District does hereby approve the attached amendments effective December 1, 2006, to the District's Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual, this 29th day of November, 2006. R-06-145 Page 3 CHANGES TO PERSONNEL POLICIES AND PROCEDURE MANUAL SECTION 6.4 Sick Leave (f) Upon resignation, separation from service, or retirement from District employment, employees in good standing with ten (10) or more years of District employment value o accrued a f r sick leave will receive a cash payment a ment of the equivalent cash v as follows: Years of Employment Percentage of Equivalent Cash Value of Accrued Sick Leave 10- 15 20% 16-20 25% 21 or more 30% Employees hired before August 9, 2006 who retire from the District and eleet to eenfinue value of tip to!GaIPERS medieal plan eoverage during retir-ement may el-eet to: 1) apply the equivalent eash shall receive a cash payment of the percentage of equivalent cash value of accrued sick leave based on years of employment as described above, and apply the remainder of the equivalent cash value toward his/her cost of retiree medical plan premiums and/or other qualified medical expenses. Upon retirement, afty the amount qualified and designated for retiree medical costs shall be deposited in the Retiree Health Savings Plan set up by the District. Employees advancemay be requifed to make eef4ain Retifee Health Savings Plan eleetions as mueh as a I ' this siek le an benefi*. The cost for maintaining the retiree's RHS account and the annual fee for reimbursement process of qualified medical expenses will be paid for by the retiree. I Regional Open Space MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT TO: Board of Directors FROM: L. Craig Britton, General Manage DATE: November 22, 2006 RE: FYI's i Regional Open pace MIDPENINSULA REG10YAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Memoimdum To: Board of Directors From: Craig Britton, General Manager v Date: November 29 2006 Re: Update: Resource Management Ideas from ESA Workshop and Report This memo details the updated and revised Resource Management Chart of Ideas that the Board and staff generated from the March P and 4`h resource management workshops and subsequent report from Environmental Science Associates(ESA). As you may recall, staff presented and received your feedback on an initial draft of this chart during your July 121"and August 91h Resource Management Stud Sessions. Since that time, staff has reviewed the ideas and g Y developed a strategy by which to evaluate ideas and integrate certain ideas in ongoing programs, projects, and/or processes. p J To better illustrate staff recommendations for evaluatingand integrating ideas, staff now resents �' g p the ideas organized into five key areas: 1) Resource Management Strategic Plan—Ideas or concepts that will be addressed during the process of revising the Resource Management Strategic Plan, a key action item in FY 2007-2008. Staff intends to add a Public Outreach element, not currently part of the existing Resource Management Strategic Plan. 2) Policies—Ideas or concepts that will be addressed during the process of revising the existing Resource Management Policies and other policies such as the District's Basic Policy. For example, idea number 28 in the chart—to review the forestry practices—will be addressed when staff takes up revisions to the existing policy on forestry. 3) Management Team Consideration—these ideas mostly focus on programmatic or structural changes and will be evaluated by management team and proposed to the Board in the form of future Action Plan or Budget. 4) Underway—ideas that are being addressed in existing programs or planned projects. 5) Infeasible for MROSD to Complete—these ideas are outside the scope for District and/or better addressed by another organization or partnering agency; staff recommends no further action at this time. As staff and Board move into policy revisions and changes to the Resource Management Strategic Plan, staff will bring the relevant ideas back to you with recommendations for prioritization, integration, and/or dismissal. II Chart Catesory Definitions: Please note these definitions match resource management categories as reported to you in the Monthly Resource Management reports. Cultural Cultural Resources- includes all activities to identify and protect significant archaeological,cultural,and historic resources. Restoration Ecological Restoration-Includes all activities with the primary purpose of restoring native habitats and vegetation in a previously degraded environment; for example,the ongoing effort to restore the Christmas tree farm at Skyline Ridge OSP. Remediation Environmental Remediation-Includes all activities with the primary purpose of protecting and restoring the natural environment from contamination by hazardous materials. RT& E Species Rare,Threatened and Endangered Species Mana eg ment-Includes all Mngmt activities with the primary purpose of providing management and recovery for rare threatened or p endangered plant and animal species on District g lands. Resource Resource Inventory-Includes all activities with the primary purpose of Inventory providing baseline information regarding the plant and animal species, habitats,or physical characteristics of District and surrounding lands, necessary to organize and use this information i.e. including the resources ece g rY g I GIS). RPPD Resource Program Planning and Policy Development -Includes all activities with the primary purpose of developing policies and procedures for the development of the resource planning and management program including procedures for policy development;environmental review; collaborative efforts with outside agencies, adjacent property owners,and research institutions;budgeting,grants, funding,and staffing. Veg Mngmt Vegetation Management-Includes all activities with the primary purpose of managing plant species,both native and non-native,found within District lands. Examples of vegetation management projects would be livestock grazing to manage for native grasses and control exotic grasses or the mowing,spraying,pulling, and burning of exotic plant species such as French broom or Italian thistle. Water Quality Water Quality Protection-Includes all activities with the primary purpose of protecting water quality including sediment reduction and erosion control. Wildlife Wildlife Mana eg ment-Includes all activities with the primary purpose of managing wildlife species,both native and non-native, found within District lands. Public Outreach Public Outreach-Includes activities that may require cooperation with Public Affairs and involve outreach to the public,volunteers,partners, and/or educators. II� PROJECTS INFEASIBLE CATEGORY IDEA/CONCEPT/PROGRAM SOURCE COMMENT Commerical Nurseries: educate to minimize the Beyond scope of MROSD; CA Invasive Plant 51 Public Outreach spreading of non-natives GGNRA Council, BAOSC already working on this Incentives for field staff to encourage development of Low priority, impractical; no action 52 RPPD linvasive control program Deane recommended at this time of ease le-special permits required; see no. 53 Wildlife Active nursery for endangered plants AND animals Ken 51 above 11/20/2006 workshopideas.commentsinfeasible PROJECTS UNDERWAY CATEGORY IDEA/CONCEPT/PROGRAM SOURCE COMMENT ou er Public SCCo Budgeted for in FY 06-07; use results to help determine 39 Outreach Conduct Public Opinion Surveys/Polling GGNRA RM terminology w/public Public (a)Communicate progress to Board (b)Communicate (a) Underway through Monthly Reports &Annual Update 40 Outreach progress to constituents MROSD (b)See no. 41 below Public 41 Outreach Resource Management Quarterly email newsletter Ken RM feature in Open Space Views 42 Restoration Nurseries: use of native plant nurseries for restoration GGNRA Underway thru partnership w/native plant nurseries Land Mgmt study underway will provide Maintenance Practices-develop a standards& practices recommendations; see also BMPs developed for MOUs 43 RPPD manual Boulder (no. 50 below) Consultants (increase use of); improve ease of hiring Legal reviewing requirements of public contract bidding 44 RPPD contractors by streamlining process All &risk Involve the public in controlling invasives; train public on 45 RPPD recognizing invasives Nonnette MROSD volunteer projects &Weed Management Areas Use& Mgt considers the proposals for paid research on Full Board to make assignments to Use and Mgt District lands, triages, approves and sends on to full board committee(see also small grants program, no. 3 under 46 RPPD for approval Ken RM Strat Plan) Evaluate during Master Plan process; see no. 28 under 47 RPPD Designation of"Wilderness Areas" Ken Policies Consider not just local short term effect of public access development on District Preserves, but also the effect on the entire Preserve and its longer consequences (i.e. development of staging areas in a preserve that is already Evaluate during Master Plan process and in Use and 48 RPPD overused) Ken Mngmt plans [Repeat] Create a Technical Advisory Committee for peer review to confirm priorities and the approach to various RM Boulder Using advisors for RM policy revision and on 49 RPPD issues EBRPD case/project basis 5-year M Us with Regulatory Agencies A Dept Fish & Game, Army Corps Engineers, SF Regional Water Quality Currently working with DFG to set up MOU; BMPs for 50 Water Quality Control Board) EBRPD maintenance practices used for MOU 11/20/2006 workshopideas.commentsunderway MANAGEMENT TEAM CONSIDERATION CATEGORY IDEA/CONCEPT/PROGRAM SOURCE COMMENT Hiring for specialization in RM program (ex. fisheries EBRPD Evaluate in context of RM Program & 35 RPPD biologist); Boulder Organization Structure Evaluate in context of RM Program & 36 IRPPD Provide ongoing staff education/training All Organization Structure Evaluate in context of RM Program & 37 RPPD Budget& Program Structure within the organization All Organization Structure Elevating RM program out of Operations/increase visibility Larry Pete Evaluate in context of RM Program & 38 RPPD of RM Program for budgeting, profile, greater autonomy Deane Organization Structure 11/20/2006 workshopideas.commentsmgmt POLICIES CATEGORY IDEA/CONCEPT/PROGRAM SOURCE COMMENT Restoration -restore ecological function, natural processes rather than restoring to a specific type of Boulder 25 Restoration ecosystem or point in time GGNRA Address in RM Policy revision process RT& E Species Conservation of RTE species taking precedence over Larry Address in RM Policy revision process; also, 26 Mngmt other activities Deane driven by regulatory requirements Increased fuel management efforts at the Wildland- EBRPD Urban Interface; recognize need to manage invasives in Boulder Address in RM Policy revision process; 27 Veg Mngmt fuel management activities MMWD address in Master Plans Land Purchase: (1)need to buy land to be able to protect resources; (2) institute a strategy for purchases Boulder 28 RPPD based on resource protection goals EBRPD Basic Policy& RM Policy revision process Establish carrying capacity of land reserve rY 9 p tY , p 29 RPPD designation and land banking Boulder Address in RM Policy revision process Review forestry practices in context of RM, policies and 30 RPPD fuel load management Pete Larry Address in RM Policy revision process Interdisciplinary approaches to land management; using EBRPD all tools available to meet resource management SCCo 31 RPPD goals/objectives Boulder Address in RM Policy revision process Safeguard neighboring properties from invasives;work 32 1 RPPD with neighbors to remove invasives on their property Nonnette Address in RM Policy revision process Consider public access when evaluating resource 33 RPPD management program Pete Address in Basic Policy revision Create a Technical Advisory Committee for peer review Address in RM policy revision process; to confirm priorities and the approach to various RM Boulder currently using advisors for RM policy 34 RPPD issues EBRPD revision and on case/project basis 11/20/2006 workshopideas.commentspolicies RM STRATEGIC PLAN CATEGORY IDEA/CONCEPT/PROGRAM SOURCE COMMENT Resource Map grasslands to determine potential for mowing and RM Strategic Plan; already mapped yellow star thistle, 1 Inventory grazing as mgmt tool; monitor success Deane needs evaluation esource Importance of and increase use of technology&in ormation Currently used; evaluate need for add'add'l training, staff, 2 Inventory in RM -GIS All and equipment under RM Strategic Plan Small grants program -proactively solicit research to be Formalize existing efforts, start small ($25k total)- 3 RPPD done on MROSD lands from local universities Boulder build relationships w/universities to entice 4 RPPD Establish a functional definition of resource management All Staff to rec. definition for Board adoption Use monitoring&Adaptive Management to track project EBRPD 5 RPPD success and achieve RM goals SCCo ongoing; RM Strategic Plan revision process Assessment of District's current restoration and invasive Related to no. 5 above; see also no.40-projects 6 RPPD removal projects Ken underway GGNRA Partnerships: (1)academic research; (2)staff participation in EBRPD 7 RPPD multi-agency working groups or advisors to other groups SCCo Address in RM Strategic Plan revision process MMWD Setting Priorities-Long term + interim priorities; focus staff Boulder 8 RPPD and funding on the most pressing RM issues SCCo Address in RM Strategic Plan revision process Watershed/Landscape-level Regional Planning -taking a Boulder 9 RPPD more regional approach to RM planning+management EBRPD Address in RM Strategic Plan revision process Two-tiered approach to Planning- Master Planning & 10 RPPD incorporating a streamlined interim RM planning process SCCo Address in RM Strategic Plan revision process Approaching ranchers, neighbors to foster better 2-way 11 RPPD communication SCCo RM Strategic Plan; Good Neighbor Policy 12 RPPD Need more ecological researchers Deane Address in RM Strategic Plan revision process RT& E Rare and endangered species (special status)protection as MMWD Address in RM Strategic plan and 13 Species Mngmt a program emphasis with dedicated staff and funding EBRPD organizational/program structure Removal of Bull frogs from red legged frog habitat or RT&E removal of plants or animals that would keep RLF from living 14 Species Mngmt in the habitat/RLF will be exterminated if introduced Ken Address in RM Strategic Plan revision process Conduct star thistle mowing on experimental basis; compare "treatment"with a control(untreated)area to assess underway on small scale;address in RM Strategic 15 Veg Mngmt effectiveness Larry Plan revision process 16 Veg Mngmt Determine best timing to brush trails to reduce invasives Deane Address in RM Strategic Plan revision process osiNe- bene its of discing-higher native seedlings present, 17 Veg Mngmt Juse to control invasives Deane Address in RM Strategic Plan revision process 11/20/2006 workshopideas.commentsstrat plan i RM STRATEGIC PLAN -PUBLIC OUTREACH CATEGORY IDEA/CONCEPT/PROGRAM SOURCE COMMENT Public rovede opportunity for public to give input on RM 18 Outreach program/policy/issues Nonnette Public notification policy; Good Neighbor policy Public Educate in the class rooms; class rooms do RM projects on Pilot w/LHPUSD thru Coastside Agreement; possible 19 Outreach our lands GGNRA project w/E-PA Change language/terms used to communicate to public Public about resource management so that it is more meaningful to GGNRA See no 39-public polling; use results to find terms 20 Outreach the them EBRPD that better reach the public Public To be folded into the Action Plan for Public Affairs 21 Outreach Need more diverse base of support from the public Mary and"internal public affairs strategic plan Public Lemonade stand-public outreach pre-project, during, post; Increasing efforts to educate docents; info tables @ 22 Outreach using docents to educate public on RM issues GGNRA volunteer projects;formalize in RM Strategic Plan Public Expand/grow public involvement through "friend-raising"; 23 Outreach non-profit partner to assist in"friend-raising" GGNRA RM Strategic Plan revision process o nteers having greater independence/ownership of GGNRA ITo be reviewed as part of the Action Plan in Public 24 Boulder Affairs and internal public affairs strategic plan 7RPPD projects; Le. "Adopt-an-Acre"-type program I 11120/2006 workshopideas.commentsstrat plan -----Original Message----- From: Patty Ciesla [mailto:patty@ecocyclist .org] Sent: Friday, November 17, 2006 5: 16 PM To: Matt Freeman Cc: Ana Ruiz; Matthew Sagues; Mary Davey; Craig Britton Subject: La Honda meeting -- excellent presentation & maps Matt, I 'm sorry you weren't able to attend the meeting for La Honda last night. I just wanted to shoot you a quick note to let you know that Ana put together a fabulous presentation and Matt's maps were outstanding. The whole meeting went well, but I thought you should know that Ana and Matt 's work really stood out to me as super professional and very high quality. The powerpoint presentation was really great. Super photos, very clear graphics, easy text to read on the screen, great transitions and logical flow. Ana did a great job explaining what was on the screen and filling in details about the planning effort. The maps are just outstanding. As you know I have been working with other agencies on various park and trail plans, and I can tell you with confidence that the maps Matt is putting together are the easiest to read, and most functional and attractive maps I 've seen lately. Kudos to both of them for great work! I know I can be a critic and often comment on things I don't like or agree with, so I thought for once I 'd let you know you are doing a great job. I 'm sure others appreciate it as much as I do. Patty i MIDPENINSUEA REGIONAL. OPEN SPACE DISTRICT For Immediate Release Contact: Rudy Jurgensen November 16, 2006 Public Affairs Manager (650) 691-1200 OPEN SPACE DISTRICT'S EFFORTS LEAD TO STATE'S RECLASSIFICATION OF DANGEROUS WEED -- Slender False Brame Now Deemed Serious Threat to Woodside's Redwood Ecosystem; Contractor Hired To Eradicate Invasive Grass -- LOS ALTOS, CA [November 16, 2006] — Efforts by the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District have prompted a California state agency to reclassify slender false brome, a non-native, invasive grass found only in Woodside, California and Oregon, to an A-rated weed from its previous, less-elevated Q rating. The new rating triggers significantly increased multi-agency eradication efforts on publicly and privately-owned lands by San Mateo County and state agencies. [In addition, at a meeting last night, the District's Board authorized the hiring of a pest management consultant to develop and facilitate a treatment plan for slender false brome. The $86,000 professional h vicinity of g false brome in the c services agreement with Go Native, LL,C for the treatment of slender f y Thornewood Preserve will be implemented in two phases. Phase I will include evaluation of slender false brome on District properties, identification of grant funding opportunities, and any necessary and pest 'v plant control contractor, environmental. review. Grant applications, oversight of an invasive pp control recommendations will occur in Phase II, beginning in April, 2007.] "The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) agreed with the District that slender false brome was a threat, that it wasn't found anywhere else in California, and that it was possible to eradicate it," said Cindy Roessler, Resource Management Specialist for the District. Prior to the A-rating, control and removal of slender false brome was carried out only by the District, which discovered the dangerous, resistant weed growing in the Woodside area, in and adjacent to the District's Thornewood Open Space Preserve, in January 2004. The new CDFA designation means other agencies will join the District's efforts, and will provide greater priority and awareness for controlling this weed. 1 native to Europe and North Africa has been Experts estimate the tolerant plant, a perennial grass p growing throughout the area for 10 years, spreading across 100 acres of public and private properties. In Oregon, slender false brome has already overrun more than 10,000 acres. "When touring Oregon sites infested with slender false brome, I was shocked to see it along roadsides, in ditches, across fields, and waving beneath the trees in forested areas," said Roessler. "I told the researchers that in California, the slender false brome tended to cover much smaller areas and they just said, `Yeah, we remember that. You better get it now before it gets worse."' Seeking to put a stop to the threat slender false brome poses to the fragile redwood ecosystem, the District Board in December 2005 committed $1.2 million toward a 10-year eradication and outreach program. District staff has worked closely with the San Mateo County Department of Agriculture to combat growth of the adaptable plant, prevent it from spreading, and seek CDFA reclassification. "It's rare to have the opportunity to find an invasive weed at such an early stage," said San Mateo County Agriculture Commissioner Gail Raabe. "The efforts by the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District have been outstanding. They jumped on it as soon as they discovered they had slender false brome growing on their preserve." After detecting the noxious weed along preserve trailsides, District staff and the California Conservation Corps began to control its growth by hand-pulling the aggressive plant and treating it with non-hazardous herbicide. The District also explained the brome threat to residents, urged them to participate in its eradication by mailing notices to hundreds of area residents, and attended neighborhood meetings. The District estimates it will take 5 to 10 years to completely eradicate slender false brome from public and private lands. Photos are available by contacting the District. Created by voters more than 30 years ago, the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District has successfully protected and managed over 50,000 acres of'open space. The public enjoys the District's diverse and beautiful preserves 365 days a year, The District is an independent, non-enterprise, California special district whose mission is to acquire and preserve a regional greenbelt of open space land in perpetuity, protect and restore the natural environment, and provide opportunities for ecologically sensitive public enjoyment and education. www.2penspace.o ��U�������Uy��� |A � �����U�����U ������� ������ K�U����d�lF /"wv=�v x-/ �n/ �.���*-rw v^u-��o,�'/ �/�"- OPEN SPACE DISTRICT / For Immediate Release CmnCmoh Rudv]ur&eouen November |5, 20O6 Public Affairs Manager (650)691-1200 DISTRICT PERSERVES A PIECE OF LOCAL HISTORY WITH UPGRADES TO PICCHETTI WINERY K.OS ALTOS, CA [November 15, 2006]--Thu Midpeninau|u Regional Open Space District today i announced the comp|odonofseismic upgrades and accessibility improvomenis for the historic Piuohetti Winery building, located on the Picclietti Ranch Open Space Preserve near Cupertino. The i|D-yeur-o|d winery building—which is one uf the oldest in California—is listed on both tile National Registry of. Historical Places and tile Santa Clara County Heritage Resource Inventory. "We're very happy to uphold this historical winery for public use and e joyment," said Ana Ruiz, Senior Planner for the District. °|t is a great asset for the community.,` � Improvements totile |846 two-story red brick building included strengthening and anchoring the roof,the walls, and the floor to better withstand earthquakes and comply with Santa Clara County's new seismic ordinances. Improvements were also rnade to the winery entrances and pathways to conform to the � Americans with Disabilities Act (AD/\) standards. Tile project was funded with a$50,O0U grant homtile � California Heritage Fund Grant Program and a $66.000 grant Orom the Santa Clara County Historical Heritage Commission. � � The winery was built by two brothers, Vincenso and Secondo Picchetti, who immigrated to tile Santa � Clara Valley from Italy inthe 1870m. They planted vineyards and began producing wine commercially � under tile Picchetti Brothers label in 1896. The winery remained in the family until production ceased in 1963. The District purchased tile winery, homestead,and surrounding property in 1976. Winery � operations resumed in 1990 under District lease towioemuker Leslie Punt|in8. � Today tile Picchetti Winery produces approximately 9,000 cases of wine a year, drawing from a number oF vineyards, including tile zinfandel vines that the Picche8i brothers planted \ lO years ago. The historic � winery building, which had been closed during the seismic upgrade, recently re-opened for public wine tumdngs. � "We're delighted in the District's commitment to preserving history in the local uneu," said Punding. � "The winery is a very special part of the community, and we're delighted that they undertook the project. � \Vcuppreoio1c \hcirpurtneohipundexpect(hcwinrrywi|) oondnue8nopcuoe [brmanyyomstuoome." � PicohcUi Winery is open to the public for tue ings daily from | |:OU a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The winery grounds, � picnic areas, and trails are also open to the public. Group reservations and tours are available hv appointment 6vcalling the winery a]40Q-74|'|J|0. � | ### � Created by voters more than J0years ago, the Miapeninsula Regional Open Space District has successfully � protected and managed over 50,000mcres of open space, The public enjoys the District's diverse and beautiful preserves 30 days o year. The District ban independent, non-enterprise, (alijbrnia special district whose mission | is/^acquire and preserve oregional green6ehof'open space land in perpetuity,protect and restore the natural � environment, and provide opportunities fi)r ecologically,sensitive public enjoyment and education- � � � �