(3) Contents of
program.
(a) The vegetation management
program shall include, but need not be limited to vegetation management
policies; technical guidelines; procedures to implement policies and
guidelines; and roadside management plan procedures and standards.
(b) Vegetation management policies. These
policies, at a minimum, shall address:
(i)
Operational, aesthetic, and environmental standards;
(ii) Integrated pest management;
(iii) Coordination between WSDOT and local
governments, abutting property owners, and tribes, including public
notification, option to maintain by contiguous property owner and the option to
maintain by a preferred management technique of the contiguous property
owner;
(iv)
Recordkeeping;
(v) Training and
education for vegetation management employees; and
(vi) Testing for pesticides at storage,
loading, and mixing areas and, if necessary, in groundwater and nearby surface
water that may be contaminated by or affected by pesticides.
(c) Technical guidelines. These
guidelines, at a minimum, shall address:
(i)
Integrated pest management which shall address monitoring, establishing injury
levels, setting action levels, selecting treatment, and evaluating treatment.
(A) Monitoring. Monitoring guidelines shall
provide for: Identification of the potential pest and/or problem and sensitive
areas; and observation of the vegetation on the site, or the site itself for
potential pest problems at regular intervals. The schedule and methods of
monitoring shall be appropriate to minimize the severity of damage caused by
the pest.
(B) Establishing injury
levels. Guidelines for establishing injury levels shall provide for
determination of when a pest is likely to cause significant damage and require
action to prevent unacceptable damage or public safety problems. Accurate
records shall be kept so adequate data is available to make decisions. A
problem shall be noted before any action is taken.
(C) Setting action levels. Guidelines for
setting action levels shall provide for prioritization of target species and
determination of when to initiate action so that unacceptable injury levels are
not reached.
(D) Selecting
treatment. Selection of pest treatment strategies and tactics shall provide for
safety of highway users; protect the environment and human health; and provide
for the stewardship of the public investment. This shall include an effort to
minimize the use of chemical controls.
(E) Evaluating treatment. After pest
treatment, the site shall be inspected to determine whether the pest treatment
had the desired results. Adequate time shall be provided for the pest treatment
to function before it is evaluated. If the pest treatment did not have the
desired results, the treatment may be modified. Desired results may be examined
to determine if they were realistic and/or appropriate;
(ii) Measures to reduce the amount of
pesticides used to the least possible including measures to reduce the use of
any state restricted use pesticides on WSDA's list for the protection of
groundwater found in WAC 16-228-164;
(iii) Criteria for the selection of
pesticides that shall include, but not be limited to, target specificity,
toxicity, persistence, migration characteristics, time of application and site
conditions of treatment area, including slope and permeability;
(iv) Procedures for sampling and analysis for
pesticide contamination in storage, loading, and mixing areas and, if
appropriate, groundwater and surface water with the use of Puget Sound
protocols for sediment sampling of marine sediment for EPA priority pollutants
is recommended where appropriate;
(v) A spill cleanup plan;
(vi) Methods for safe transportation of
pesticides;
(vii) A recordkeeping
system on pesticide use, including format;
(viii) Criteria for the identification of
sensitive areas;
(ix) Buffer zones
to protect waters of the state, public and private supply wells and watersheds,
irrigation ditches, ecology regulated areas, and sensitive areas;
(x) Pesticide storage including a requirement
that pesticides shall be stored in a secure building with an impermeable floor
and controlled drains;
(xi)
Vegetation selection in accordance with WSDOT's design manual with emphasis
given to reduced maintenance; and
(xii) Vegetation management personnel
training and education.
(d) Procedures for the implementation of the
policies and guidelines.
(e)
Procedures and standards for the preparation and implementation of roadside
management plans for specific segments of state highway to assist WSDOT field
crews manage state highway rights of way according to the approved vegetation
management policies and technical guidelines. WSDOT shall consult with affected
tribes, local governments, and other interested parties during preparation of
these procedures and standards. WSDOT shall consult with affected tribes, local
governments, and other interested parties during preparation of roadside
management plans. These plans, at a minimum, shall address:
(i) Goals and objectives;
(ii) Identification of sensitive areas and
minimum buffer zones;
(iii)
Maintenance activities;
(iv) Budget
estimates; and
(v) Evaluation
methods and standards.