J3_Methods and Specifications Contractors
Methods of NNIP control that may be used by contractors on the GMNF are listed in Table 1, below.
Herbicides that may be used are listed in Table 2. Specifications for the different treatment types are
listed in Table 3. Additional specifications for herbicide use are listed below Table 3.
Table 1: General types of treatment methods that can be used to control NNIP on the GMNF
Treatment
Method
Description
Timing of
Treatments
Target Species
Mechanical,
Manual or
Physical
 Manual treatments include hand pulling or digging entire
plants, root-stabbing, raking, cutting plants at or near
ground level, removing flowers or fruits, or girdling stems;
could be used on terrestrial, riparian, or aquatic plants.
 Mechanical treatments are the same as those described
for manual methods, but wheeled, tracked, or power
tools would be used (e.g., weed whip, chain saw, or
mower).
 Physical treatment involves covering plants with a tarp
(suffocation/solarization) for a specified amount of time,
generally at least one growing season; in aquatic settings
this involves use of a bottom barrier. Physical methods
would only be used where the NNIP to be treated
consists of dense stands.
Manual or mechanical treatment is often done in
preparation for treatment with herbicide. When mowing is
used to reduce competitive ability of NNIP, it is likely to be
needed repeatedly throughout the growing season, and the
TO would specify the number of times. Repetitive mowing
is restricted to roadsides, permanent upland openings, and
developed recreation sites (e.g., camp sites, parking areas,
and trailheads).
Timing is
dependent on
target species.
Many species,
including aquatic
NNIP.
Chemical
Chemical treatment includes target-specific applications of
herbicides (cut-stump, basal bark, stem injection, frill, or
foliar spot spraying, e.g., with a backpack sprayer), and
broadcast herbicide in some settings:
During growing
season; exact
timing is
dependent on
target species,
herbicide used,
and mitigation
measures.
Target-specific
treatments could
be applied to
several
herbaceous &
woody species
(individual plants
or patches of
plants).
Broadcast
herbicide might be
used for
knapweed & wild
chervil.
Broadcast herbicide application may be considered only for
dense infestations along roadsides.
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Table 2: Herbicide active ingredients approved for use on the GMNF.
Chemical
Common Name
Glyphosate
Targeted Use and Exceptions
Non-selective; cut-stem application, stem injection, foliar spot
spray, or broadcast spray along roadsides
Exceptions:
Examples of Target
Species1
Multiflora rose, garlic
mustard, goutweed,
Japanese knotweed
GMNF staff is currently evaluating whether to restrict glyphosate
products to those not pre-formulated with a proprietary surfactant.
Glyphosate for
use in or near
water
Non-selective; stem injection or foliar spot spray for plants that
grow near water; direct application to water for aquatic plants
Japanese knotweed,
purple loosestrife,
common reed, yellow
floating heart
Sethoxydim
Grass-specific foliar spot spray
Common reed,
Japanese stiltgrass
Triclopyr
(triethylamine
salts only)
Broadleaf-selective foliar spot spray, cut-stump, frill or basal bark
treatments, or aquatic application
Buckthorns,
honeysuckle, multiflora
rose, Eurasian
watermilfoil
Clopyralid
Broadleaf-selective foliar spot spray, or broadcast spray along
roadsides
Knapweeds, thistles
Aminopyralid
Broadleaf-selective foliar spot spray or broadcast spray along
roadsides
Knapweed
Imazapyr
Non-selective; apply to cut-stem, foliar spot spray, or frill
application
Norway maple,
honeysuckle
Fluridone
Aquatic treatments; sub-surface injection from trailing hoses or
application of granular formulations using a blower-type
apparatus.
Eurasian watermilfoil,
curly leaf pondweed
Note: there are currently no known aquatic NNIP infestations on
the GMNF. This herbicide is included in case aquatic infestations
are discovered in the future.
Mixture of
glyphosate and
imazapyr
Target-specific foliar spot-spray in the summer
Japanese knotweed
Mixture of
triclopyr and
aminopyralid
Target-specific foliar spot-spray in the summer
Spotted knapweed,
wild chervil
Target species listed are only examples; this is not meant to be an exhaustive list of NNIP that may be
controlled by chemical means. Also, herbicide choice for a particular species may vary depending upon
infestation or site characteristics.
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Table 3. Green Mountain National Forest (North and South) – Treatment types and specifications.
Treatment type
Specifications (examples are not limited to those listed here)
Broadcast spray
This method of treatment is most likely to be used when an infestation is large
(≥ 20 stems on hard-to-pull species, and ≥ 500 stems on easy-to-pull species)
OR there are several small infestations in close proximity (e.g., several small
infestations are visible from one location), AND the infestation occurs is along a
road edge, AND mechanical control is not likely to be effective. Examples
include spraying roadside infestations of Japanese knotweed, common
buckthorn, or goutweed using a glyphosate product or spraying infestations of
knapweed using a clopyralid or aminopyralid product. Contractor is expected to
follow all herbicide label instructions to achieve AQL.
Repetitive mowing and weed
This method of treatment is most likely to be used when an infestation is large
whipping
(≥ 20 stems on hard-to-pull species, and ≥ 500 stems on easy-to-pull species)
OR there are several small infestations in close proximity (e.g., several small
infestations are visible from one location), AND the infestation occurs along a
road edge, in a permanent upland opening, or in a developed recreation site
(e.g., camp sites, parking areas, and trailheads) AND mechanical methods are
likely to be effective, including through use of repetitive treatments. An example
would be mowing wild chervil along a roadside. Each task order is likely to vary
with regard to the width of the road ROW to be mowed, the number of times per
season to repeat the mowing, and whether or not weed whipping along an
uneven edge is also needed. Acreage will be determined by the measuring the
length of roadside to be treated by the maximum width of the infestation. Bid
price should reflect cost of mowing and weed-whipping a roadside acre once.
Contractor is expected to mow at a height that will achieve AQL.
Foliar spot spray to treat
This method of treatment is most likely to be used when an infestation is large
herbaceous plants
(≥ 20 stems on hard-to-pull species, and ≥ 500 stems on easy-to-pull species)
OR there are several small infestations in close proximity (e.g., several small
infestations are visible from one location); infestations may be along a road,
trail, or in a field or the woods, and the site may be wet or dry. Infestations are
generally of species that cannot be controlled effectively by manual/mechanical
methods, biocontrol, or domestic grazing. Choice of herbicide (selective vs.
non-selective) and timing of application will depend on species to be controlled
and whether or not adjacent native vegetation needs protection. Examples
include foliar spot spray of a glyphosate product to control common reed along
the edge of a wetland, or a clopyralid product to control knapweed in grassland.
Contractor is expected to follow all label directions to meet AQL, including
monitoring and retreating as needed. Retreatment does NOT apply to plants
that germinate from the seed bank in the next growing season.
Foliar spot spray to treat
This method of treatment is most likely to be used when an infestation is large
woody plants
(≥ 20 stems on hard-to-pull species, and ≥ 500 stems on easy-to-pull species)
OR there are several small infestations in close proximity (e.g., several small
infestations are visible from one location); infestations may be along a road,
trail, or in a field or the woods, and the site may be wet or dry. Infestations are
generally of species that cannot be controlled effectively by manual/mechanical
methods, biocontrol, or domestic grazing. Choice of herbicide (selective vs.
non-selective) and timing of application will depend on species to be controlled
and whether or not adjacent native vegetation needs protection. Examples
include foliar spot spray of a glyphosate product to control common reed along
the edge of a wetland, or a clopyralid product to control knapweed in grassland.
Contractor is expected to follow all label directions to meet AQL, including
monitoring and retreating as needed. Retreatment does NOT apply to plants
that germinate from the seed bank in the next growing season.
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Herbicide application to
aquatic NNIP
Cut stump herbicide
application to treat woody
plants, using hand or chain
saws
Cut stump herbicide
application to treat woody
plants, following mastication of
all woody material, with
herbicide applied to NNIP cut
stumps
On-site chipping of all treated
woody material after treatment
(e.g., after pulling, digging, or
cut stump herbicide)
Basal bark or frill application
to treat woody plants
Stem injection (e.g., for
Japanese knotweed)
Manual (pulling, digging, rootstabbing, etc.) herbaceous
plants
Manual/ mechanical (pulling,
digging) woody plants
Currently there are no known aquatic infestations on the GMNF. This treatment
method would be requested if infestations were found, non-chemical methods
would not be likely to succeed, and state permits were obtained. Sites where
infestations could potentially occur are primarily small ponds. Fluridone or
glyphosate would be used, depending on the species to be treated.
This method would most likely be used for a large infestation (e.g., ≥ 20 stems)
of shrubs, trees, or woody vines OR several small infestations in close proximity
(e.g., several small infestations are visible from one location) AND/OR stems
are ≥ 1 cm in diameter OR ≥ 0.5 meters tall; herbicide will be specified in the
Task Order and might be either a glyphosate product or a triclopyr product.
Contractor is expected to follow all label directions to meet AQL. Cut stumps
should generally be less than 6” tall. Cut material may have to be dragged
and/or piled to meet Task Order specifications. Viable plant parts may have to
be bagged and removed (this step will be negotiable when large quantities of
fruits or other viable materials are present). Herbicide is expected to be applied
to cut stumps within 5 minutes of cutting. Marker dies should be used.
This method would most likely be used for an infestation that covers a few to
many acres, where the woody NNIP are intermixed with other plants, including
other woody species. Wheeled or tracked equipment may be used to masticate
all woody material, followed by cut-stump herbicide application for all woody
NNIP. Herbicide will be specified in the Task Order and might be either a
glyphosate product or a triclopyr product. Contractor is expected to follow all
label directions to meet AQL. Cut stumps should generally be less than 6” tall.
Herbicide is expected to be applied to cut stumps within 5 minutes of cutting.
Marker dies should be used.
Chipping would be used not as a method of treatment, but as a method of
preventing dispersal of viable plant parts. Chipper would be towed to a road or
trail edge, and woody remains of NNIP would be chipped and left at the site.
These methods would be used primarily for an infestation of shrubs, trees, or
woody vines that are large. Infestation would generally be large (e.g., ≥ 20
stems) OR there would be several small infestations in close proximity (e.g.,
several small infestations are visible from one location) AND/OR stems are ≥ 1
cm in diameter OR ≥ 0.5 meters tall. In general, triclopyr products would be
used in basal bark applications and glyphosate products would be used for frill
applications. Removal of dead shrubs, trees, or woody vines would either not
be expected, or would be part of a separate bid item.
This method would be used primarily for treating a Japanese knotweed
infestation that is small and/or relatively isolated from other infestations, at sites
where nearby adjacent vegetation needs careful protection from any off-target
herbicide spray. Contractor is expected to follow all label directions to meet
AQL and to avoid exceeding the maximum amount of pesticide that can be
applied per acre. Contractor is expected to follow all label directions to meet
AQL.
This would be used for infestations that are small (< 20 stems on hard-to-pull
species, e.g., knapweed, and < 500 stems on easy-to-pull species, e.g., garlic
mustard) and relatively isolated from other infestations. Species would be those
that can be effectively controlled by manual or (e.g., giant hogweed, garlic
mustard, and wild chervil). Any viable plant parts would have to be bagged,
removed from the site, and disposed of properly (e.g., taken to a landfill or
added to a compost pile that is designated for NNIP remains and will not be
used as fill in the future). Contractor is expected to limit ground disturbance to
the extent feasible.
This treatment could be used for infestations consisting of a small patch (e.g., <
50 stems) of seedlings or small saplings of any woody species, for example
Morrow honeysuckle, common buckthorn, and multiflora rose. Any viable plant
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Manual or mechanical
followed by foliar spot spray
(e.g., for Japanese knotweed)
Physical (e.g., covering plants
with a tarp, or placing a
bottom barrier over aquatic
plants)
parts would have to be bagged, removed from the site, and properly disposed
of. Contractor is expected to limit ground disturbance to the extent feasible.
This treatment would be used when either manual only or herbicide alone would
not be effective or could not be accomplished safely. Examples include dense
infestations of Japanese knotweed that would be cut back early in the growing
season, followed by foliar spray later in the growing season. Contractor is
expected to time the manual and herbicide treatments to be in keeping with
herbicide label directions and to meet the AQL. Cut stems to not have to be
removed from the site, but must also not be dispersed from the site. For
example, if a patch of knotweed was cut along a river, the cut stems would have
to be piled where a high water event would be unlikely to disperse the cut
stems, which contain viable plant material. Contractor is expected to monitor in
the following growing season and retreat with herbicide to meet the AQL.
This method would be used for an infestation of herbaceous plants, including
vines, that is small (< 20 stems on hard-to-pull species, e.g., knapweed, and <
500 stems on easy-to-pull species, e.g., garlic mustard), relatively isolated from
other infestations, and can be effectively controlled by physical methods (e.g., a
patch of wild chervil in an upland opening). Task Order will indicate the type of
covering most effective for the particular species, and the length of time that the
covering must remain in place. For example, a small patch of wild chervil in an
upland opening might be treated by covering with 4 ml clear plastic from May 1
to September 30. Contractor is responsible for ensuring that the covering
remains in place.
Daily Logs/Diary
Contractor will maintain an accurate daily treatment log of work activities and chemicals applied in
treatment areas per TO, with a copy made available to the COR at billing or upon request. At a minimum,
the Contractor shall provide to the COR, a copy of the daily treatment log no later than upon submission
of the final TO invoice. When invoicing for partial work payments, the Contractor shall provide
information from the daily diary regarding the herbicide treatments done for the relevant specific contract
line items. The daily log must record the Contract Line Item, target NNIP species’, chemical used
(product name), quantity of herbicide (volume applied & unit of measure per each target NNIP species’ –
including product and carrier/dilutant), application rate (active ingredient applied & unit of measure or
percent solution), and adjuvant used (product name & rate applied, if any). The log will record weather
information consisting of wind velocity (MPH), wind direction, air temperature (F), condition (cloud
cover), and precipitation (inches). Other log requirements includes date, time of day (start time and stop
time), treatment location, approximate acres treated, hours to complete task, type of application
(method/technique), name of licensed commercial applicator, other licensed applicators and non-certified
applicators, type of equipment used, plus optional information such as any other miscellaneous notes or
observations.
Additional specifications for herbicide application:
Herbicide
1. For target-specific herbicide application in grasslands with suitably dry soils, sites could be
accessed by ATVs or other wheeled vehicles; in non-grasslands, wheeled accessed could occur on
trails or roads, otherwise by person on foot. Other mitigations measures may restrict use of
wheeled or tracked vehicles in some settings.
2. Broadcast herbicide spraying on the GMNF is restricted to dense infestations along roadsides.
3. Species to be treated will vary; see attachment “GMNF NNIP list 2013”.
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4. Application by means of a boom mounted to an ATV might be acceptable with selective
herbicides in some upland areas
5. Herbicide application equipment must be calibrated in keeping with state regulations; application
should be within +/- 5% of the intended application rate
6. Timing: in keeping with label directions and task order
7. Entrance into a treated area must be in keeping w/ label directions for any herbicide used.
8. Other requirements:
a) All herbicide use will be in keeping with directions on the specimen label, and state and
federal laws; the following are especially noted:
 Notices of herbicide use and safe entry times will be posted at all sites of
herbicide use; sign content will be in keeping with label directions. At the actual
time of spraying, the contractor must post any access points as closed to restrict
entry for a time period in keeping with label directions
 Contractor will obtain weather forecasts and current conditions, including wind
speed and will use them to determine when to proceed, based on specimen label
precautions.
 Applicators will wear personal protective equipment as listed on each herbicide
specimen label.
 Storage, disposal, and cleaning of equipment will be in compliance with
specimen label directions.
b) The pesticide applicator must make a reasonable effort to minimize herbicide contact
with non-target plant species.
c) Pesticide applicator must provide estimated times of treatment to the COR.
d) Pouring of herbicides from one container to another must be done outside of riparian
buffers.
e) The contractor shall adjust the bill in accordance with any changes at a per acre rate
provided in the bid.
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