Division of Agriculture Projects and Coordination Challenges With Invasive Weeds and Agricultural

Pests Management

Gino GrazianoDivision of Agriculture

Gino.Graziano@Alaska.gov

Strategic Planning and Regulation Review – Update

• Public planning meeting held March 2009

• Plan is drafted, pending final edits it will be out for review shortly

• Regulation review will be forthcoming Ag staff presented information on

strategic planning and how to participate at workshops and conferences in addition to the regular planning meeting.

Horticulture Industry Coordination

• One of many pathways for introduction

• These businesses are where consumers get products and information

• Non-regulatory approach

Purple loosestrife infestation in Westchester lagoon, Anchorage could affect salmon and waterfowl.

Late blight could devastate the potato industry.

Horticulture Industry Coordination• Facilitate development of

cooperative measures to promote public– Prevention– Management– Cooperation– Purchase of preferred

products• Ag will promote program– Develop/distribute

outreach materials– Air Public Service

Announcements

Horticulture is one of the largest agriculture sectors in Alaska.

Spotted Knapweed Eradication• Recorded at 23 locations• Persists at 7• Decreases agricultural production• Decreases forage available for game• Division of Ag is- Managing each

infestation- Developing report

to continue efforts

Knapweed infested farm in Montana,Knapweed costs Montana economy $14 million/year.

Ag and partners work with the Railroad. Alaska project cost is approximately $60,000/year.

Spotted Knapweed Eradication

• Early Detection- Need increased participation of agencies

• Equipment washing needs to be increased

• Tongass National Forest requires equipment washing for projects in remote areas- need to address all areas

Knapweed infestation on Turnagain arm (left) and Tongass N.F. road outside of Kake (right).

Contaminated equipment. Washing is necessary especially when equipment is from outside.

Canada thistle management - Anchorage• Thistle impacts:– Agricultural– Forage for game

• Prevalent on Anchorage Roadsides

• Limited distribution in the rest of Southcentral

• Delta Junction eradicated thistle

• Kenai Peninsula CWMA will eradicate

Thistle infestation in Homer, Alaska

Thistle is widely distributed in Anchorage

Rack cards can help the public ID and report infestations

Canada thistle management - Anchorage

• DOT willing to participate in mowing – No other help with control

• AK railroad managing thistle on property

• Significant attention needed for private land

Thistle infestation bordering Anchorage neighborhood

Thistle infests numerous sites on Anchorage road system

Partnering – Agencies and the Public

• Partnering with• Producers and

interested groups• Cooperative Weed

Management Areas• Federal agencies strong

partners• State agencies/divisions

slowly coming on board

Forest Service personnel assist in managing knapweed

Ag staff participate in local workshops

Partnering – Agencies and the Public• Provide project specific

recommendations– State agencies seeking

control advise– DOT, State Parks, ANILCA

office– Municipalities

• Provide presentations and trainings

Knotweed shown here infesting a SE Alaska beach is common on SE Alaska roadsides

Canada thistle infestation on roadside

Summary

• Significant progress is being made• Division of Agriculture is developing

partnerships and projects with multiple agencies

• State and some fed agencies need direction from their leaders to participate