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![](media/image1.wmf){width="0.4583333333333333in"
height="0.6in"}National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Management Directive No. 038

Preventing Introduction and Spread of Invasive Non-Native Plants

August 18, 2004

**CONTENTS**

[**PURPOSE** 1](#purpose)

[**NEED FOR POLICY** 2](#need-for-policy)

[**LANDSCAPING AND CULTURAL LANDSCAPES**
3](#landscaping-and-cultural-landscapes)

[**CONSTRUCTION, RESTORATION, AND FIRE ACTIVITIES**
6](#construction-restoration-and-fire-activities)

[**IMPORT OF LIVESTOCK AND FEED** 8](#import-of-livestock-and-feed)

[**FRONTCOUNTRY TO BACKCOUNTRY TRAVEL**
9](#frontcountry-to-backcountry-travel)

[**ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES** 9](#roles-and-responsibilities)

[**APPENDIX A: DEFINITIONS** 11](#appendix-a-definitions)

[**APPENDIX B: PROHIBITED PLANT LIST**
13](#appendix-b-prohibited-plant-list)

# **PURPOSE**

This policy establishes guidelines to prevent the introduction and
spread of non-native plant species within Sequoia and Kings Canyon
National Parks and Devils Postpile National Monument. It covers all
activities performed by government employees, park concessioners,
permittees, contractors, and partners.

NPS policies on preventing the introduction and spread of non-native
plants include the following:

-   Non-native species will not be allowed to displace native species if
    displacement can be prevented (NPS Management Policies 2001, 4.4.4).

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-   New non-native species will not be introduced into parks, except in
    specific rare situations (NPS Management Policies 2001, 4.4.4.1).

-   Livestock will be fed pelletized feed or hay that is free of weed
    seeds (NPS Management Policies 2001, 8.6.8.2).

-   Activities may not be categorically excluded from NEPA if they
    contribute to the introduction, continued existence, or spread of
    federally listed noxious weeds (DO-12 Handbook 3.5N, Federal Noxious
    Weed Control Act).

-   Activities may not be categorically excluded from NEPA if they
    contribute to the introduction, continued existence, or spread of
    non-native invasive species or actions that may promote the
    introduction, growth, or expansion of the range of non-native
    invasive species (DO-12 Handbook 3.5O, Executive Order 13112).

By far the most efficient and cost-effective way to keep invasive
non-native plants from displacing native species is to (1) prevent the
entry of non-native plants into the parks, and (2) prevent the spread of
existing non-native plant populations within the parks. Once new
populations of non-native plants establish they may multiply rapidly. As
a consequence, removal can be extremely difficult and costly. The
importance of a strong prevention program as a vital component in the
management of invasive non-native plants cannot be overstated.

Seeds of non-native plants travel wherever and whenever soil is moved
from one location to another. Seeds can lodge in the treads of car
tires, bicycle tires, or shoe soles. Soil, sand, or gravel imported for
construction or other activities can contain non-native plant seeds.
Many non-natives, for example puncture vine (*Tribulus terrestris*),
have spiny or hook-like seed coats and can arrive in the park stuck to
the fur of pets, wildlife, and pack stock or on people's clothing,
shoelaces, and camping gear. Plants installed around park residences for
landscaping can spread to surrounding natural areas. Seeds can blow in
from the gardens of neighboring private landowners or can wash
downstream in rivers. Hay, used to feed livestock, or straw, used in
revegetation projects, can contain non-native plant seeds from the field
where the hay was grown.

This policy covers the following activities that have the highest
probability of contributing to the introduction and spread of non-native
plants:

-   Landscaping and planting of vegetation, including maintenance of
    cultural landscapes

-   Construction, restoration, and fire activities, including import of
    equipment, import of materials, and soil disturbance.

-   Import of livestock and feed

-   Movement of people and equipment from frontcountry sites, such as
    heliports, pack stations, and trailheads, into pristine backcountry
    sites.

# **NEED FOR POLICY**

Invasive non-native plants can spread across landscapes and quickly
become difficult or impossible to control. Invasive plants can
out-compete native vegetation, diminishing native plant diversity and
endangering rare plant and animal species. Invasive plants can reduce
wildlife habitat and forage and cause illness, injury, and sometimes
death in wildlife and livestock. Areas invaded by non-native plants
frequently have greater rates of soil erosion and stream sedimentation
because invasive plant monocultures tend to be poorer at holding topsoil
in place than native plant communities. Invasive plants can alter soil
nutrient and moisture levels; these changed growing conditions may
displace natives and favor further non-native plant invasions. Invasive
plants can increase fire frequency and change the burning season. These
altered fire regimes may favor further non-native plant invasion.
Invasive plants can cause the deterioration and loss of wetland meadows.
Finally, many invasive plants are spiny and can turn a formerly pleasant
recreational experience into a painful encounter for visitors.

An example of a non-native species that has greatly diminished the
quality of natural ecosystems is yellow star thistle (*Centaurea
solstitialis*). Yellow star thistle has already formed monocultures over
millions of acres of public land in the West, reducing the value of the
land as natural preserves and for recreation and wildlife. Yellow star
thistle has not yet established in these parks, although it is
approaching park boundaries.

One of the primary purposes of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
and Devils Postpile National Monument is to protect, restore and
maintain the parks' diverse natural resources against external threats
to those resources. The parks are committed to preserving our diverse
native flora against the threat of invasive plants by using Integrated
Pest Management (IPM). Integrated Pest Management is a method of
combining tools (physical/mechanical, chemical, cultural/fire, and
biological) for controlling existing infestations Integrated Pest
Management systems also place a strong emphasis on preventing import and
spread of new non-native plants, early detection and control of small
new infestations, and restoring rapid vegetative cover in recent
disturbances. Division of Natural Resources crews actively control
existing infestations. Prevention of new invasions requires the
cooperative efforts of residents and park staff in all divisions, as
well as concessioners, visitors, owners of private inholdings,
permittees, and neighboring communities. Preventing the import and
spread of invasive plants is the most efficient and cost-effective way
to protect park resources against the threat of invasive plants.

The biodiversity of these parks has three components: ecosystem,
species, and genetic diversity; all must be protected according to NPS
Management Policies. Genetic diversity refers to the variation of genes
within species. This covers genetic variation between distinct
populations of the same species. The genetic variation of a local plant
population is often significantly different from that of a population of
the same species in a coastal environment, for example. National parks
are among the few places in this country that have not, to a large
extent, been subject to the introduction of non-local genetic stock;
that is, the plants here are evolving in place. As a consequence,
national parks that remain relatively "unsullied" by anthropogenic
alterations and perturbations are invaluable to evolutionary biologists
studying natural selection against a background of natural processes.
The introduction of non-local genetic strains of local native species,
and their subsequent hybridization with local stock, would confound this
"native genetic trace" for future investigators. Therefore, a
conservative approach of preserving these parks' local genes in as
pristine a state as possible is warranted.

# **LANDSCAPING AND CULTURAL LANDSCAPES**

Non-native plants cultivated in gardens and around houses (known as
"cultivars") can be significant contributors to wildland invasions. Many
of them escape from planting areas into adjacent riparian and natural
areas. The problem is most apparent in Ash Mountain, where greater
periwinkle (*Vinca major*), giant reed (*Arundo donax*), and Spanish
broom (*Spartium junceum*) have escaped from around residences into
surrounding riparian habitats. Non-native cultivars are also a problem
in Wilsonia and Mineral King, where private landowners and permittees
have planted foxglove (*Digitalis purpurea*). Foxglove has spread widely
onto park lands from Wilsonia.

NPS Management Policies (2001) does allow restricted use of non-native
plants; most notably in altered plant communities, such as cultural
landscapes, and to meet specific management needs in exceptional
circumstances. The following excerpts from the NPS Management Policies
provide direction on this issue:

4.4.2.5 Maintenance of Altered Plant Communities

In altered plant communities managed for a specific purpose, plantings
will consist of species that are native to the park or that are
historically appropriate for the period or event commemorated. Use of
non-natural plantings in altered communities may be permitted under any
of the following conditions:

-   In localized, specific areas, screen plantings may be used to
    protect against the undesirable impacts of adjacent land uses,
    provided that the plantings do not result in the invasion of exotic
    species.

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-   Where necessary to preserve and protect the desired condition of
    specific cultural resources and landscapes, plants and plant
    communities generally will be managed to reflect the character of
    the landscape that prevailed during the historic period.

-   Where needed for intensive development areas. Such plantings will
    use native or historic species and materials to the maximum extent
    possible. Certain native species may be fostered for esthetic,
    interpretive, or educational purposes.

Exotic species may not be used to vegetate vista clearings in
otherwise-natural vegetation.

1.  Introduction or Maintenance of Exotic Species

In general, new exotic species will not be introduced into parks. In
rare situations, an exotic species may be introduced or maintained to
meet specific, identified management needs when all feasible and prudent
measures to minimize the risk of harm have been taken, and it is:

-   Used to control another, already-established exotic species; or

-   Needed to meet the desired condition of a historic resource, but
    only where it is prevented from being invasive by such means as
    cultivating (for plants). . . In such cases, the exotic species used
    must be known to be historically significant, to have existed in the
    park during the park's period of historical significance, or to have
    been commonly used in the local area at that time; or

-   Necessary to provide for intensive visitor use in developed areas,
    and both of the following conditions exist:

-   Available native species will not meet park management objectives;
    and

-   The exotic species is managed so it will not spread or become a pest
    on park or adjacent lands; or

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-   A sterile, non-invasive plant that is used temporarily for erosion
    control

**Guidelines for SEKI Landscaping**

The following principles will be followed when planting new landscaping
within the park:

1.  All new landscaping of administrative and concession facilities
    (lodging, other buildings, parking lots, roadsides, spray fields,
    etc.) will be done with species native to the immediate area and
    grown from local genetic stock. Exceptions may be made in the
    foothills, where non-native annual grasses are widely naturalized.
    In these locations, non-invasive species that are common and
    widespread in the surrounding area may be used temporarily for
    erosion control or to match surrounding vegetation, with the review
    and approval of the Chief of Natural Resources. For example, a
    trench through turf grass may be replanted with turf grass.
    Revegetation will promptly follow construction of new facilities.

2.  For permanent, in-ground plantings around their homes, residents
    must use species native to the immediate area and grown from local
    genetic stock. Contact Vegetation Management or the Ash Mountain
    Native Plant Nursery (559-565-3775) for availability of appropriate
    planting material, and for further planting information and
    alternatives.

3.  Residents may grow non-native plants that are not on the prohibited
    plant list (see last page of this directive). The plants must be
    contained in above-ground containers, or in small planters
    completely surrounded by walls or pavement (such as the narrow area
    between a walkway and a house). Residents must remove these
    non-native plants when they vacate park housing. Residents are
    encouraged to protect fruits and vegetables from consumption by
    wildlife, and to remove fruit or seed-bearing flower heads before
    the seeds ripen and disperse.

4.  Use of non-native plants that threaten surrounding natural areas is
    prohibited. The list of prohibited plants is at the end of this
    directive. This list, which focuses on horticultural plants
    available at nurseries, includes species that are:

-   federally-listed noxious weeds,

-   state-listed noxious weeds,

-   invasive plants listed by the California Invasive Plant Council,

-   invasive plants listed as priorities 1, 2, or 3 in SEKI by the
    USGS-BRD,

-   or invasive plants listed by the Pacific Northwest Exotic Pest Plant
    Council.

5.  Use of species native to the surrounding area but not of local
    genetic stock is prohibited. For example, a California buckeye tree
    purchased from a valley or coastal commercial native plant nursery
    may not be planted at a park residence. Use of local genetic stock
    preserves the parks' unique genetic resources. In addition, local
    populations have a genetic memory of historical environmental
    variability and usually grow better in the local environment than
    plants of a non-local origin.

6.  Species native to other areas of California but NOT native to the
    immediate area may be used unless they have naturally-occurring
    close relatives with which they may interbreed, such as
    *Arctostaphylos* spp. (manzanita), *Ceanothus* spp. (California
    lilac), *Epilobium* spp. (California fuchsia), *Eriogonum*
    spp.(buckwheat), *Mimulus* spp. (monkeyflower), *Quercus* spp.
    (oak), and *Ribes* spp (currant or gooseberry). Plants must be
    contained in above-ground containers, or in small planters
    completely surrounded by walls or pavement (such as the narrow area
    between a walkway and a house). Residents must remove these plants
    when they vacate park housing.

7.  Herbicide-resistant cultivars may not be used anywhere.

8.  Residents are encouraged to use native grasses and wildflowers,
    grown from local genetic stock, in lawns. There are native grasses
    and forbs that can form either a mowed or a natural lawn; contact
    Vegetation Management for more information.

9.  Cabin permittees in Mineral King will be sent letters asking them to
    voluntarily comply with this policy. For locations with significant,
    known invasive plant problems, park staff may follow up with
    personal contacts. If these steps don't achieve the desired results,
    permits may be amended to prohibit use of invasive non-native plants
    and allow the NPS to remove established plants.

10. SEKI will engage and educate private land owners in Wilsonia, Silver
    City, and Oriole Lake. They will be informed of the threat to the
    park posed by non-native plant species. We will seek their voluntary
    cooperation in using native plant landscaping and removing
    non-native plants from their property.

The following principles will be followed for existing landscaping
within the park:

1.  Highly invasive non-native species will be removed when feasible.
    Residents will be notified before crews remove plants. Vegetation
    Management will work with residents to replace removed plants with
    natives of local genetic stock, if the latter plants are available.

2.  Non-native species that are likely threats based on problems
    elsewhere in California will be removed on a case-by-case basis.
    These are species given a listing other than "USGS 1" or "CDFA" on
    the prohibited species list.

3.  Residents are encouraged to keep non-native lawns mowed or closely
    clipped to prevent seed ripening and dispersal.

4.  Residents are encouraged to voluntarily replace their non-native
    landscaping with species native to the immediate area and grown from
    local genetic stock. Contact Vegetation Management or the Ash
    Mountain Native Plant Nursery for availability of appropriate
    planting material, and for further planting information and
    alternatives.

The following principles will be followed for maintaining cultural
landscapes within the park. The park Archeologist will be consulted and
NPS management policies (2001) found at 4.4.2.1 and 5.3.5.2 will be
followed as applicable:

1.  The park Archeologist will be consulted on removal of invasive
    non-native plants relative to known or potential cultural
    landscapes, including historic sites. The park Archeologist or other
    Cultural Resource Management Specialist will determine if individual
    plant specimens have cultural resource significance, as part of the
    original intent and fabric of the site. Some examples of cultural
    landscapes that contain non-native plantings include Traugers Creek,
    Grunnigans Ranch, Ash Mountain, Potwisha, and Crystal Cave.

2.  Highly invasive non-native species shall not be maintained as part
    of a cultural landscape, even if their presence predates the
    implementation of this policy. Where they already exist, they will
    be removed or treated. These species spread quickly and cause
    ecological damage. Experience has shown that it is not practical to
    maintain them in cultural settings because of the potential
    likelihood of escaping into adjacent natural habitats. Examples of
    such species are Himalayan blackberry, periwinkle, perennial sweet
    pea, Spanish broom, and giant reed.

3.  Non-native species that are likely threats based on problems
    elsewhere in California may be retained where they are components of
    a documented significant cultural site. These are species given a
    listing other than "USGS 1" or "CDFA" on the prohibited species
    list. The Chief of Natural Resources and the Chief of Interpretation
    (or their designated representative) will agree on historic
    specimens to be retained and escaped progeny that may be removed.
    Examples of such species are olive, peach, pomegranate, and
    persimmon.

# **CONSTRUCTION, RESTORATION, AND FIRE ACTIVITIES**

The intense soil disturbance inherent in construction, coupled with the
import of equipment and materials that may harbor non-native plant
seeds, make construction sites high-risk areas for invasion of
non-native plants. Invasive non-native plants spread rapidly and
aggressively from disturbed construction sites into adjacent natural
communities. Once non-native plants become established, they can be very
difficult and costly to eliminate. For example, until recently, Yosemite
National Park was free of the highly invasive yellow star thistle
(*Centaurea solstitialis*) until it was imported in contaminated soil on
a Federal Lands Highway Project. It subsequently spread rapidly onto
surrounding steep slopes, where control is extremely difficult and
expensive.

Restoration sites, areas that have sustained high-intensity fire, fire
line, and fuel breaks are also vulnerable to import and spread of
non-native plants. Soils are disturbed to restore natural topography or
to build fire line. Mechanized equipment, which can harbor non-native
plant seeds, is often brought into the park. Materials that are imported
to help mitigate soil erosion, such as straw and blanket, can contain
non-native plant seeds.

The following principles will be followed in construction, restoration,
and fire activities:

1.  Before any equipment is brought into the park, it will be pressure
    or steam washed in order to remove seed-containing soil. Examples of
    equipment are backhoes, tractors, loaders, excavators, dozers,
    bobcats, wheeled compressors, or trucks and trailers that have
    traveled off-road. This restriction shall not apply to equipment
    responding to initial attack of wildland fire where fire spread is
    threatening life or property.

2.  Staff is encouraged to wash equipment that has been off-road before
    moving it from place to place within the park, particularly when
    moving from lower to higher elevations.

3.  Topsoil shall not be imported into the park.

4.  Construction and restoration materials will be free of invasive weed
    seeds or other propagative plant parts. Such materials include
    boulders, soil, sand, gravel, rock, road base, straw, and silt and
    erosion control materials. Weed-free status may be ensured by
    pressure washing, steam washing, fumigation, heat sterilization, or
    certification from the supplier. Eliminating invasive plant seeds
    may raise the cost of some projects, but will prevent much more
    costly and prolonged invasive plant control efforts in the future.

5.  Large quantities of construction and restoration materials may be
    prohibitively expensive to sterilize. The risk of importing invasive
    plants in bulk materials will be minimized by inspecting proposed
    quarries or source sites for presence of invasive plants. If no
    local weed-free sources can be located, potentially contaminated
    materials may be accepted if mitigation is implemented. Mitigation
    might include stripping the top 12 inches of material or requiring
    fresh material stored less than one month, as specified by
    Vegetation Management staff.

For example, Yellowstone National Park uses a ranking system that
considers the potential threat posed by the non-native species present
in the quarry, the number of non-native plants present, the location of
the plants (near crushing-loading sites vs. on the periphery), and
whether the quarry has a weed management plan.

For construction projects, the project manager and/or COR will be
responsible for contacting Vegetation Management staff to inspect
sources. For materials procured by the park for use by park staff, the
park Contracting Officer will be responsible for contacting Vegetation
Management staff to inspect sources.

6.  Minimize the area of soil disturbance. Use hand line rather than
    dozer line where possible. Consider realigning trails or reducing
    the trail width to minimize disturbance. When removing invasive
    plants, consider using herbicides rather than digging out roots.
    Scrape road shoulders only where steep, material-shedding slopes
    make this action necessary.

7.  Consider the location of soil disturbance. On fires, resource
    advisors and incident staff should consult park Vegetation
    Management staff when locating hand line and dozer line in areas
    known to have populations of invasive species. Dozer line and hand
    line should be located well away from invasive species whenever
    possible. To avoid patches of invasive species when aligning new
    trails, planners should consult Vegetation Management staff.

8.  Minimize the frequency of soil disturbance. For example, disturbing
    an area once every five years creates less risk than disturbing it
    every year. If a site has to be cleared of vegetation yearly,
    consider paving it.

9.  After completing construction, or when rehabilitating fire line,
    revegetate the area or cover bare soil with local litter and duff
    mulch as soon as possible. This mulch will provide a source of seeds
    to reestablish native vegetation and reduce the risk of non-native
    seeds germinating. Ideally, the litter and duff should be collected
    from surrounding areas, but do not denude the collection area. Leave
    at least 50 percent of the material in place and don't disturb
    vegetation.

10. On fires, Vegetation Management specialists should be assigned as
    resource advisors to the incident management team whenever the
    spread of invasive species is probable. Vegetation Management
    specialists should be consulted in the development of fire line and
    burned area rehabilitation plans.

11. If funding or staff is available, survey and remove invasive plants
    from future burn units and construction sites at least one year
    before a planned ignition or the start of construction. One year's
    pre-construction survey should be funded by construction projects
    whenever possible. Contact Vegetation Management staff to conduct
    surveys.

12. After fire or construction, and until sites are fully revegetated,
    schedule annual surveys by qualified botanical technicians for early
    detection of invasive plants to prevent them from becoming problems.
    One year's follow-up survey should be funded by construction
    projects whenever possible.

13. Consider the risk of non-native plant invasion when locating
    perpetually disturbed facilities, such as campgrounds and corrals.
    For example, campsites adjacent to meadows create a high risk for
    non-native plants to become established at the campsite and enter
    the meadow. Consider closure of such high-risk campsites.

# **IMPORT OF LIVESTOCK AND FEED**

Hay, raw feeds, and straw may contain invasive plant seeds if grown in
fields where invasive plants flourish and reproduce. Invasive plants can
be spread into previously unoccupied areas during transport of feed
materials and by laying out hay at pack stations or trail heads.
Verifying that animal feed and mulch is California certified weed free
before it is used in an area can help prevent the spread of invasive
plants. Use of straw as mulch is covered in the preceding section.

The following principles will be followed when importing livestock and
feed into the park:

1.  In accordance with California Food and Agriculture Code Section 5101
    and 5202 for the certification of Weed Free Forage, Hay, Straw, and
    Mulch, these parks require that any hay or straw brought into the
    parks be certified weed free. This rule also applies to non-stock
    uses of straw. This rule will be included in pack station
    concessions contracts and commercial use authorizations. Public
    stock users will be informed of this rule when they obtain their
    wilderness permit.

2.  Stock users are encouraged to purge their animals for several days
    on CA certified weed free feed prior to entering the park.

3.  Stock entering the parks, or moving from place to place within the
    park, will be inspected and cleaned to detect and remove any plant
    parts, seeds, or soil that may have adhered to animals (or tack and
    equipment). This rule will be included in pack station concessions
    contracts and commercial use authorizations. Public stock users will
    be informed of this rule when they obtain their wilderness permit.

4.  Manure that accumulates in corrals will be removed from the park and
    not stockpiled within the park. This rule will be included in pack
    station concessions contracts.

5.  NPS and commercial pack stations will be kept free of invasive
    plants within a 20-foot buffer of the facility. This will be the
    responsibility of the pack stations. Vegetation Management staff is
    available to consult.

# **FRONTCOUNTRY TO BACKCOUNTRY TRAVEL**

These parks are fortunate. Backcountry wilderness areas in SEKI are
largely free of invasive non-native plants. Even those species, such as
cheatgrass (*Bromus tectorum*) and bull thistle (*Cirsium vulgare*),
that have managed to colonize backcountry sites have left many drainages
untouched. Protection of the parks' wilderness vegetation from invasion
by non-native plants is of the highest priority.

The following guidelines will be followed to protect wilderness
vegetation:

1.  Park field crews and cooperating researchers working in sites where
    seeds could get stuck in boot and shoelaces should wear gaiters. In
    general, they should use all practicable precautions to prevent
    movement of seeds from the work site to other park sites.

2.  Heliports are focal points for the movement of non-native plant
    seeds from the frontcountry to the backcountry. Heliports will be
    kept free of invasive plants within a 20-foot buffer of the
    facility. This will be the responsibility of heliport staff.
    Vegetation Management staff is available to consult.

3.  Major trailheads will be inspected for invasive plants and kept
    weed-free. Vegetation Management staff will work with trailhead
    rangers to inspect for and remove invasive plants.

4.  Backcountry users will be taught to inspect backpacking equipment
    and boots for soil, seeds, and plant parts, and asked to certify
    that all equipment and clothing is free of such material. This
    should be a condition for receipt of a wilderness permit.

5.  Backcountry and trailhead rangers will be trained in invasive plant
    identification and will be key personnel in early detection of new
    invasions.

6.  All park personnel will be informed and involved in invasive plant
    identification, early detection, and reporting. Park newsletters,
    pamphlets, reference books in park libraries, SEKI herbaria, and
    invasive plant observation cards are available for this purpose.
    Call 559-565-4479 for more details.

7.  Park visitors will be informed of the threat of non-native plant
    species and how they can help prevent non-native plants from
    entering the parks.

# **ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**

Some of these policies may take some lead time to implement. For
example, commercial pack stations with incidental business permits will
need sufficient time to locate suppliers of certified weed-free feed and
find the lowest prices. A quarry inspection system may take several
years to finalize and implement. Divisions will have to work
cooperatively to accomplish the policy with the least disruption to
operations.

**The** **SEKI Superintendent** issues policy and makes final decisions.
He or she communicates the importance of policy to all employees. The
superintendent will also communicate with owners of private inholdings
and permittees asking for voluntary cooperation with this policy.

**The** **Chief of Fire and Visitor Management** **(Chief Ranger)**
ensures that heliports maintain a weed-free buffer, that equipment to
build fire line is washed before entering the park, and that fire line
is rehabilitated as soon as possible. He or she encourages active
participation of backcountry and trailhead rangers in detecting and
reporting non-native plant invasions. The Chief Ranger incorporates this
policy into wilderness permits and information.

**The Chief of Interpretation** incorporates non-native plants (threat
and prevention) into interpretive message to visitors as feasible. He or
she ensures that cultural landscape issues are properly considered and
that the park Archeologist is sufficiently involved in the
implementation of the Management Directive.

**The** **Chief of Maintenance** incorporates weed-free and equipment
washing specifications into contracts managed by Denver Service Center
and Federal Lands Highway Administration. He or she ensures that
equipment used for park operations is washed before re-entering the park
or moving from place to place within the park. The Chief of Maintenance
implements policy for import of livestock and feed for government stock
and ensures that government pack stations maintain a weed-free buffer.
He or she implements policy for soil disturbance in work by road and
trail crews and ensures that all new construction includes a
revegetation and non-native plant inspection component.

**The** **Chief of Natural Resources** proposes policy updates and
implements policy for soil disturbance in work conducted by revegetation
and non-native plant crews. He or she ensures that DNR field crews
prevent movement of non-native plant seed from place to place in their
boots and equipment.

**The** **Contracting Officer** incorporates weed-free standards into
procurement of sand, gravel, road base, and other construction and
restoration materials. He or she, along with the Chief of Maintenance
ensures that contracts issued by the parks include weed-free and
equipment-washing specifications.

**The** **Budget Officer** incorporates landscaping policy into housing
agreements and housing policy.

**The** **Concessions Manager** incorporates these policies into
concessions contracts and incidental business permits, in particular,
those contracts with commercial pack stations. He or she serves as
primary contact/liaison in communicating policy to permittees and owners
of private inholdings, and amending permits if necessary.

**The** **Superintendent** **of Devils Postpile National Monument**
ensures that all DEPO activities and employees implement this policy.

**The** **Senior Science Advisor** and his or her staff ensure that this
policy is necessary and sufficient based on the best available
scientific knowledge.

**The** **Ecologist** **(Ecological Restoration and** **Invasive Plant
Management)** serves as primary point-of-contact in administering
policy. He or she consults with all divisions in surveying sites for
invasive plants, writing contract specifications, developing a quarry
inspection system, and incorporating policy into special use permits,
incidental business permits, and concessions contracts. The Ecologist
works with Concessions office and superintendent in issuing letters to
cabin permittees and owners of private inholdings. Implements policy for
soil disturbance in work by revegetation and non-native plant crews.

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Richard H. Martin Date

Superintendent

# **APPENDIX A: DEFINITIONS**

**Alien species:** (see non-native species).

**Control:** as appropriate, eradicating, suppressing, reducing, or
managing invasive species populations, preventing spread of invasive
species from areas where they are present, and taking steps such as
restoration of native species and habitats to reduce the effects of
invasive species and to prevent further invasions (Executive Order
13112).

**Ecosystem:** the complex of a community of organisms and its
environment (Executive Order 13112).

**Exotic species:** (see non-native species).

**Highly invasive non-native species:** for the purpose of this
directive, these are species given a USGS C1 or CDFA rating in the
prohibited plant list at the end of this document.

**Introduction:** the intentional or unintentional escape, release,
dissemination, or placement of a species into an ecosystem as a result
of human activity (Executive Order 13112).

**Invasive species**: a non-native species whose introduction does or is
likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.
Invasive species display rapid growth and spread, establish over large
areas, and persist (Executive Order 13112).

**Local genetic stock:** for the purpose of this directive, plants of
local genetic stock are those grown from seed or cuttings collected from
the same drainage/sub-watershed and within a similar elevational range
(500 feet) of where they will later be planted.

**Native species:** with respect to a particular ecosystem, a species
that, other than as a result of an introduction, historically occurred
or currently occurs in that ecosystem (Executive Order 13112).

**Non-native species:** with respect to a particular ecosystem, any
species, including its seeds, eggs, spores, or other biological material
capable of propagating that species, that is not native to that
ecosystem (Executive Order 13112).

**Noxious weed:** a weed specified by law as being especially
undesirable, troublesome, and difficult to control. In California, a
noxious weed is legally defined as "any species of plant which is, or is
liable to be, detrimental or destructive and difficult to control or
eradicate, which the director, by regulation, designates to be a noxious
weed" (California Food and Agriculture Code).

**Species:** a group of organisms all of which have a high degree of
physical and genetic similarity, generally interbreed only among
themselves, and show persistent differences from members of allied
groups of organisms (Executive Order 13112).

**Weed:** a plant growing where it is not desired (Weed Science Society
of America). For the purposes of this directive, a weed is a non-native
species that interferes with management objectives for a particular
site. In this document, "weed" is synonymous with "invasive species."

**Wilderness:** in contrast with those areas where man and his own works
dominate the landscape, an area where the earth and its community of
life are untrammeled by man and where man himself is a visitor who does
not remain. Wilderness retains its primeval character and influence and
is protected and managed in such a way that it appears to have been
affected primarily by the force of nature (Wilderness Act).

######### 

# **APPENDIX B: PROHIBITED PLANT LIST**

The plants listed below are prohibited in Sequoia and Kings Canyon
National Parks. They are easily available through the horticultural
industry and pose an extreme risk for escape into natural areas of SEKI
and DEPO. The list, based on research and recommendations, has been
compiled from the following sources: California Invasive Plant Council
(Cal-IPC), United States Geological Survey-Biological Resources Division
(USGS), California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), United
States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Pacific Northwest
Exotic Pest Plant Council (PNW-EPPC). A USDA listing is a nationally
designated threat, a CalIPC or CDFA listing is a serious statewide risk,
and a USGS designation is a specific threat to Sequoia & Kings Canyon
National Parks. The Pacific Northwest Exotic Pest Plant Council
(PNW-EPPC), addresses non-native plant concerns of the states of
Washington and Oregon, both of which contain climates and vegetation
types similar to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. This list will
be updated periodically.

Plants listed under a starred column heading (CDFA and USGS "C1" only)
are known to be highly invasive, and established plantings will be
removed as soon as is feasible. Residents will be notified before plants
are removed.

  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  **Scientific name**   **Common Name**  **Currently   **USGS\***   **USDA**   **CDFA\***   **Cal-IPC**   **PNW-EPPC**
                                         in Park**                                                        
  --------------------- ---------------- ------------- ------------ ---------- ------------ ------------- --------------
  **Annuals:**                                                                                            

  *Arctotheca           Capeweed                                    USDA       CDFA         Cal-IPC       
  calendula*                                                                                              

  *Calendula            Calendula                                                                         
  officinalis*                                                                                            

  *Centaurea cyaneus*   Cornflower,                                                                       
                        Bachelor Buttons                                                                  

  *Cosmos bipinnatus*   Cosmos                                                                            

  *Dimorphotheca        African Daisy                                                       Cal-IPC       
  sinuata*                                                                                                

  *Linaria maroccana*   Toadflax                                                                          

  *Linum grandiflorum   Scarlet Flax                                                                      
  rubrum*                                                                                                 

  *Egeria densa*        Aquarium Elodea                                                                   PNW-EPPC

                                                                                                          

  **Bulbs:**                                                                                              

  *Crocosmia x          Crocosmia                                                           Cal-IPC       
  crocosmiiflora*                                                                                         

  *Iris sp.*            Iris             X             USGS C2      USDA       CDFA                       

  *Leucojum aestivum*   Summer Snowflake X             USGS C2                                            

                                                                                                          

  **Herbaceous                                                                                            
  Perennials**                                                                                            

  *Althaea rosea*       Hollyhocks                                                                        

  *Aptenia cordifolia*  Red Apple                                                           Cal-IPC       
                        Iceplant                                                                          

  *Carpobrotus          Sea Fig                                                             Cal-IPC       
  chilensis*                                                                                              

  *Carpobrotus edulis*  Hottentot Fig                                                       Cal-IPC       

  *Centranthus ruber*   Valerian                                                            Cal-IPC       

  *Coreopsis            Coreopsis        X             USGS C1                                            
  lanceolata*                                                                                             

  *Daucus carota*       Queen Anne's                                                                      PNW-EPPC
                        Lace                                                                              

  *Digitalis purpurea*  Foxglove         X             USGS C1                              Cal-IPC       PNW-EPPC

  *Euphorbia lathyris*  Gopher Spurge                                                       Cal-IPC       

  *Foeniculum vulgare*  Fennel           X             USGS C1                              Cal-IPC       PNW-EPPC

  *Gazania linearis*    Gazania                                                             Cal-IPC       

  *Gypsophila           Baby's Breath                               USDA       CDFA                       
  paniculata*                                                                                             

  *Helichrysum          Licorice Plant                                                      Cal-IPC       
  petiolare*                                                                                              

  *Hypericum            Creeping St.     X             USGS C1      USDA                    Cal-IPC       PNW-EPPC
  perforatum*           Johnswort                                                                         

  *Iris sp.*            Iris             X             USGS C2      USDA       CDFA                       

  *Lathyrus latifolius* Perennial Sweet  X             USGS C1                                            
                        Pea                                                                               

  *Leucanthemum         Shasta Daisy                   USGS C1                                            
  maximum*                                                                                                

  *Leucanthemum         Ox-eye Daisy                   USGS C1                                            PNW-EPPC
  vulgare*                                                                                                

  *Limonium             Sea Lavender                                                        Cal-IPC       
  ramosissimum ssp                                                                                        
  provinciale*                                                                                            

  *Linaria genistifolia Dalmation                                              CDFA                       
  ssp. dalmatica*       toadflax                                                                          

  *Lythrum salicaria*   Purple                                      USDA       CDFA         Cal-IPC       
                        Loosestrife                                                                       

  *Mentha pulegium*     Pennyroyal       X             USGS C1                                            

  *Mentha spicata*      Spearmint        X             USGS C1                                            

  *Mesembryanthemum     Crystalline                                                         Cal-IPC       
  crystallinum*         Iceplant                                                                          

  *Mesembryanthemum     Slender-leaved                                                      Cal-IPC       
  nodiflorum*           Iceplant                                                                          

  *Oxalis pes-caprae*   Bermuda          X             USGS C1                              Cal-IPC       
                        Buttercup                                                                         

  *Polygonum            Japanese                                    USDA                                  PNW-EPPC
  cuspidatum*           Knotweed                                                                          

  *Rudbeckia hirta*     Black-eyed Susan               USGS C1                                            

  *Salvia aethiopia*    Mediterranean                                          CDFA         Cal-IPC       PNW-EPPC
                        Sage                                                                              

  *Tanacetum vulgare*   Common Tansy                                                        Cal-IPC       PNW-EPPC

  *Tropaeolum majus*    Nasturtium                                                                        

  *Verbascum thapsus*   Woolly Mullein   X             USGS C3                              Cal-IPC       PNW-EPPC

  *Verbena bonariensis* Vervain                                                             Cal-IPC       

  *Zantedeschia         Calla Lily                                                          Cal-IPC       
  aethiopica*                                                                                             

                                                                                                          

  **Perennial                                                                                             
  Grasses:**                                                                                              

  *Arundo donax*        Giant Reed       X             USGS C1      USDA       CDFA         Cal-IPC       

  *Cortaderia jubata*   Pampas Grass                                USDA       CDFA         Cal-IPC       

  *Cortaderia selloana* Pampas Grass                                                        Cal-IPC       

  *Cynodon dactylon*    Bermudagrass     X                          USDA       CDFA                       

  *Festuca arundinacea* Tall Fescue      X             USGS C1                              Cal-IPC       

  *Lolium spp.*         Ryegrass         X             USGS C2      USDA                                  

  *Miscanthus           Miscanthus                                  USDA                                  
  floridulus*                                                                                             

  *Pennisetum setaceaum Fountain Grass                              USDA                    Cal-IPC       
  & cultivars*                                                                                            

  *Phalaris             Reed Canary      X             USGS C1                                            PNW-EPPC
  arundinacea*          Grass                                                                             

  *Phyllostachys aurea* Golden Bamboo    X                                                                

  *Poa pratensis*       Kentucky         X             USGS C3      USDA                                  
                        Bluegrass                                                                         

  *Zoysia cultivars*    Zoysia Grass                                                        Cal-IPC       

                                                                                                          

  **Vines:**                                                                                              

  *Ampelopsis arborea*  Peppervine       X             USGS C1                                            

  *Hedera canariensis*  Algerian Ivy                                                        Cal-IPC       

  *Hedera helix*        English Ivy      X             USGS C1                              Cal-IPC       PNW-EPPC

  *Lonicera japonica*   Japanese                                    USDA                                  
                        Honeysuckle                                                                       

  *Passiflora caerulea* Passion Vine                                                        Cal-IPC       

  *Senecio mikanioides* Cape Ivy                                    USDA       CDFA                       

  *Vinca major*         Periwinkle       X             USGS C1                              Cal-IPC       PNW-EPPC

  *Vitis vinifera*      Cultivated Grape               USGS C1                                            

                                                                                                          

  **Shrubs:**                                                                                             

  *Atriplex             Australian                                                          Cal-IPC       
  semibaccata*          Saltbush                                                                          

  *Cistus sp.*          Rock-rose        X             USGS C1                              Cal-IPC       

  *Coprosma repens*     Mirror Plant     X                                                  Cal-IPC       

  *Cotoneaster all sp.* Cotoneaster      X                                                  Cal-IPC       

  *Cytisus scoparius*   Broom            X                          USDA       CDFA         Cal-IPC       PNW-EPPC

  *Echium sp.*          Pride of Madeira                                                    Cal-IPC       PNW-EPPC

  *Genista              French Broom     X             USGS C1                 CDFA         Cal-IPC       
  monspessulana*                                                                                          

  *Heteromeles          Toyon            X             USGS C1                                            
  arbutifolia*                                                                                            

  *Ilex aquifolium*     English Holly                                                       Cal-IPC       

  *Ligustrum lucidum*   Glossy Privet                                                       Cal-IPC       

  *Ligustrum sinense*   Chinese Privet   X             USGS C1      USDA                                  

  *Myoporum laetum*     Myoporum         X                                                  Cal-IPC       

  *Nandina domestica*   Heavenly Bamboo  X                                                                

  *Nerium oleander*     Oleander         X             USGS C1                              Cal-IPC       

  *Pitosporum           Victorian Box                               USDA                                  
  undulatum*                                                                                              

  *Pyracantha           Pyracantha       X             USGS C1                              Cal-IPC       
  angustifolia*                                                                                           

  *Ricinus communis*    Castor Bean                                                         Cal-IPC       

  *Rubus discolor*      Himalayan        X             USGS C1                              Cal-IPC       PNW-EPPC
                        Blackberry                                                                        

  *Rubus laciniatus*    Cut-leaf         X             USGS C1                              Cal-IPC       PNW-EPPC
                        Blackberry                                                                        

  *Spartium junceum*    Spanish Broom    X             USGS C1      USDA       CDFA         Cal-IPC       

                                                                                                          

  **Trees:**                                                                                              

  *Acacia dealbata*     Silver Wattle                                                       Cal-IPC       

  *Acacia decurrens*    Green Wattle                                                        Cal-IPC       

  *Acacia melanoxylon*  Blackwood Acacia                                                    Cal-IPC       

  *Ailanthus altissima* Tree of Heaven                              USDA       CDFA         Cal-IPC       PNW-EPPC

  *Albizia lophantha*   Plume Acacia                                                        Cal-IPC       

  *Carya sp.*           Pecan            X             USGS C2                                            

  *Catalpa bigniodes*   Catalpa          X             USGS C1                                            

  *Diospyros sp.*       Persimmon        X             USGS C2                                            

  *Eleagnus             Russian Olive                               USDA                    Cal-IPC       PNW-EPPC
  angustifolia*                                                                                           

  *Eucalyptus           Lemon-scented    X             USGS C1                                            
  citriodora*           Gum                                                                               

  *Eucalyptus globulus* Blue Gum                                                            Cal-IPC       

  *Ficus carica*        Edible Fig       X             USGS C1                              Cal-IPC       

  *Juglans californica* California Black X             USGS C1                                            
                        Walnut                                                                            

  *Juglans regia*       English Walnut   X             USGS C1                                            

  *Malus sylvestris*    Apple            X             USGS C1                                            

  *Maytenus boaria*     Mayten Tree                                                         Cal-IPC       

  *Morus alba*          White Mulberry   X             USGS C1                                            PNW-EPPC

  *Nicotiana glauca*    Tree Tobacco                                                        Cal-IPC       

  *Olea europa*         Olive            X             USGS C2                              Cal-IPC       

  *Pinus radiata*       Monterey Pine                                                       Cal-IPC       

  *Pistacia chinensis*  Chinese Pistache                                                    Cal-IPC       

  *Prunus cerasifera*   Cherry Plum                                                         Cal-IPC       

  *Prunus persica*      Peach            X             USGS C2                                            

  *Punica granatum*     Pomegranate      X             USGS C2                                            

  *Robinia              Black Locust     X                                                  Cal-IPC       PNW-EPPC
  pseudoacacia*                                                                                           

  *Sapium sebiferum*    Chinese Tallow                              USDA                    Cal-IPC       
                        Tree                                                                              

  *Schinus molle*       California                                                          Cal-IPC       
                        Pepper Tree                                                                       

  *Schinus              Brazilian Pepper                                                    Cal-IPC       
  terebinthifolius*     Tree                                                                              

  *Tamarix all sp.*     Salt Cedar       X             USGS C1      USDA       CDFA         Cal-IPC       PNW-EPPC

  *Tanacetum            Feverfew         X             USGS C1                              Cal-IPC       
  parthenium*                                                                                             

                                                                                                          

  **Non-Horticultural                                                                                     
  Species:**                                                                                              

  *Agrostis gigantean*  Redtop           X             USGS C1                                            PNW-EPPC

  *Bromus tectorum*     Cheatgrass       X             USGS C3                              Cal-IPC       PNW-EPPC

  *Carduus              Italian thistle  X             USGS C1                 CDFA         Cal-IPC       
  pycnocephalus*                                                                                          

  *Centaurea            Yellow star                    USGS C1                 CDFA         Cal-IPC       PNW-EPPC
  solstitialis*         thistle                                                                           

  *Cirsium vulgare*     Bull thistle     X             USGS C3                 CDGA         Cal-IPC       PNW-EPPC

  *Convolvulus          Bindweed         X             USGS C1                 CDFA                       PNW-EPPC
  arvensis*                                                                                               

  *Dactylis glomerata*  Orchard grass    X             USGS C1                                            PNW-EPPC

  *Descurainia sophia*  Herb Sophia      X             USGS C1                              Cal-IPC       PNW-EPPC

  *Echinochloa          Barnyard grass   X             USGS C2                                            
  crus-galli*                                                                                             

  *Festuca pratensis*   Meadow fescue    X             USGS C2                                            PNW-EPPC

  *Holcus lanatus*      Common velvet    X             USGS C2                              Cal-IPC       PNW-EPPC
                        grass                                                                             

  *Marrubium vulgare*   Horehound        X             USGS C1                                            

  *Medicago sativa*     Alfalfa          X             USGS C1                                            

  *Melilotus alba*      White            X             USGS C1                                            PNW-EPPC
                        sweetclover                                                                       

  *Melilotus indica*    Sourclover       X             USGS C1                                            

  *Melilotus            Yellow           X             USGS C1                                            PNW-EPPC
  officinalis*          sweetclover                                                                       

  *Mentha pulegium*     Pennyroyal       X             USGS C1                              Cal-IPC       

  *Phalaris minor*      Littleseed       X             USGS C2                                            
                        canarygrass                                                                       

  *Phalaris paradoxa*   Hood canarygrass X             USGS C2                                            

  *Phleum pretense*     Cultivated       X             USGS C2                                            PNW-EPPC
                        timothy                                                                           

  *Piptatherum          Smilo grass      X             USGS C2                              Cal EPPC      
  miliaceum*                                                                                              

  *Poa bulbosa*         Bulbous          X             USGS C2                                            
                        bluegrass                                                                         

  *Poa compressa*       Canadian         X             USGS C2                                            PNW-EPPC
                        bluegrass                                                                         

  *Poa palustris*       Fowl bluegrass   X             USGS C1                                            

  *Polypogon australis* Chilean          X             USGS C1                                            
                        rabbitsfoot                                                                       
                        grass                                                                             

  *Polypogon            Ditch beard      X             USGS C1                                            
  interruptus*          grass                                                                             

  *Polypogon            Annual beard     X             USGS C2                                            
  monspeliensis*        grass                                                                             

  *Ranunculus           Smallflower      X             USGS C1                                            
  parviflorus*          buttercup                                                                         

  *Ranunculus           Curveseed        X             USGS C1                                            
  testiculatus*         butterwort                                                                        

  *Silybum marianum*    Milk thistle     X             USGS C1                                            PNW-EPPC

  *Sorghum halepense*   Johnsongrass     X             USGS C2                 CDFA                       PNW-EPPC

  *Tanacetum            Feverfew                       USGS C1                                            
  parthenium*                                                                                             

  *Tragopogon dubius*   Yellow salsify   X             USGS C1                                            

  *Trifolium repens*    White clover     X             USGS C1                                            

  *Urtica urens*        Dwarf nettle     X             USGS C1                                            

  *Verbascum virgatum*  Wand mullein     X             USGS C1                                            

  *Vicia benghalensis*  Purple vetch     X             USGS C1                                            

  *Vicia sativa*        Common vetch     X             USGS C1                                            

  *Vicia villosa*       Winter vetch     X             USGS C1                                            PNW-EPPC

  *Vulpia bromoides*    Brome fescue     X             USGS C2                                            
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------