Gino Graziano Division of Agriculture Gino.Graziano@Alaska.gov

1. Division of Agriculture Projects and Coordination Challenges With Invasive Weeds and Agricultural Pests Management Gino GrazianoDivision of AgricultureGino.Graziano@Alaska.gov

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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 TongassN.F. road outside of Kake (right). Contaminated equipment. Washing is necessary especially when equipment is from outside.

7. 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 Rack cards can help the public ID and report infestations Thistle is widely distributed in Anchorage

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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