HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-11-18; Ward's Weed Eradication Program Update (Districts 2 & 3); Gomez, Paz.,I
To the members of the:
CITY COUNCIL
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Nov. 18, 2021
Council Memorandum
To: Honorable Mayor Hall and Members of the City Council
From: Paz Gomez, Deputy City Manager, Public Works
Via: Geoff Patnoe, Assistant City Manager @
Re: Ward's Weed Eradication Program Update (Districts 2 & 3)
{city of
Carlsbad
Memo ID# 2021211
This memorandum provides an update to a previous Council Memorandum dated Aug. 1, 2019,
on the status on the Ward's Weed Eradication Program.
Background
In a Council Memorandum dated Aug. 1, 2019, staff informed the City Council of Ward's weed, a
new invasive species in Carlsbad. Ward's weed is an annual species in the mustard family that
originates from the Mediterranean region. It was first discovered in Carlsbad in 2008, one of the
first records in North America. Since then, this plant has been found in approximately 300 acres
of habitat within the Habitat Management Plan (HMP) preserve system in Carlsbad (see
Attachment A for a location map) and a few isolated locations elsewhere in San Diego County.
Approximately 98% of Ward's weed within the United States is located in Carlsbad, mostly on
unmanaged preserves.
Ward's weed is known to spread extremely rapidly, as illustrated in Australia, where a single
introduction in 1910 at Port Pirie spread to 500 acres within five years, and now occurs
throughout the southern third of the continent. It is critical that this species be eradicated
because it poses a significant threat to native habitats, protected plant and animal species,
recreation areas and agricultural areas, and it increases wildfire risk.
On Oct. 8, 2019, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2019-194, authorizing the expenditure
of $200,000 to be used for Ward's weed treatment in partnership with the County of San Diego,
Nature Collective and Center for Natural Lands Management, and approving the extension of
funding for up to three consecutive years ..
Discussion
The first phase of the Ward's Weed Eradication Program consisted of intense treatment
throughout all infested areas. This phase was carried out from November 2019 through July
2021. The treatment, a pre-emergent herbicide that works by stopping seeds from sprouting,
was discovered through coordination with Australian researchers and local land managers and
agencies. The treatment has been extremely effective in killing and stopping the spread of new
Public Works Branch
Environmental Management Department
1635 Faraday Avenue I Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 760-602-4689 t
Council Memo -Ward's Weed Eradication Program Update (Districts 2 & 3).
Nov. 18, 2021
Page 2 -· . ..,\
plants (see before and after photographs in Attachment B). Generally, a single treatment is
effective for at least two years; and is safe for use around native plants.
Next Steps
Currently, the Ward's Weed Eradication Program has shifted into ongoing surveillance and spot
treatment. Areas that were missed, or undertreated, are targeted for treatment. Staff continue
to conduct public outreach and assist with program coordination. The Ward's Weed Eradication
Program has been highlighted as a success story by local and regional organizations, such as the
California Invasive Plant Council.
Attachments: A. Map of Ward's weed Infestation
B. Photographs of habitat before and after treatment
cc: Scott Chadwick, City Manager
Celia Brewer, City Attorney
Gary Barberio, Deputy City Manager, Community Services
Robby Contreras, Assistant City Attorney
James Wood, Environmental Management Director
Kyle Lancaster, Parks & Recreation Director
Rosanne Humphrey, Senior Program Manager
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HMP Preserves infested with Ward's weed
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Ward's Weed Eradication Program Photographs
Before Treatment-thousands of seedlings and dense growth
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Attachment B
Ward's Weed Eradication Program Photographs
Before Treatment -continued
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Ward's Weed Eradication Program Photographs
After Treatment-healthy habitat comes back after Ward's weed is treated
3
Ward's Weed Eradication Program Photographs
After Treatment -continued
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