[MAIPC] Invasive Management on Public Land

[Gover, Art]

Hi, Nicole.

I think your question #2 will be state-specific.

I can offer my understanding of PA.

Terminology:

Certified Applicator: someone who has passed the state exam for a particular application category (PA has 26), and works for a Pesticide Business as a public or commercial applicator. A Pesticide Business is necessary to obtain the required liability insurance.

If by “volunteer” you mean a non-credentialed applicator, then they can only apply under the direct (present, in communication) supervision of a certified applicator licensed in the relevant category. In PA, the work you’re describing would likely be Category 10 (Rights-of-way, Non-crop) (or Category 5 - Forest Pest Management, or Category 23 - Parks and Schools).

In PA, if a municipality wanted a volunteer corps of applicators, they would either need their own applicator (and business license and insurance) to supervise (and train), or have a commercial applicator (with their own business license and insurance) supervise (and train) them. Someone involved has to be certified and liable.

If the municipality has a business license, they could register applicator technicians, trained in a specific curriculum by their certified applicator. These registered applicator technicians can work autonomously.

It’s a lot of work. I think there’s a good chance an experienced commercial applicator could do the envisioned work on a for-hire basis fairly quickly and for less expense (figuring training, admin, etc) than engaging volunteers.

Be well.

Art Gover

Fruittown Land Stewardship Services

On Jan 18, 2022, at 12:32, Nicole Hersch <nicole at nrvrc.org<mailto:nicole at nrvrc.org>> wrote:

Hi All,

I have a couple of questions that I am looking for some advice on. First a little background.

One of the Towns in my region has acknowledged that invasive species are a huge problem, but they haven't done anything about it to date and aren't exactly sure where to start--it seems daunting to say the least (not to mention Town staff is already at capacity-with no resident experts on payroll).

The main idea on the table is that a small area is chosen as a demonstration site for invasive removal and potentially native planting, to be executed by community groups who have a capacity for on-going efforts. Long-term maintenance of the site is of concern. The Town has been burned by a lot of short-term projects which create additional long-term work for staff.

1. Does anyone have volunteer groups complete an MOU when performing long-term invasive management on public land? If so, would you be willing to share it?
2. Has anyone used volunteers as certified applicators on public land? If so, could you tell me about that?

Any thoughts on this topic in general are greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Nicole

--
Nicole Hersch, ASLA
Regional Planner II/Community Designer

[https://docs.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1QiqvsPd1jTVj4gKSHT35CtL98HcAlFPv&revid=0B-eFJd959WWEY09LL2ZpczdWUGl4M1QrZXlqbDZJTUZoeWhzPQ]

New River Valley Regional Commission
p: (540) 639-9313
6580 Valley Center Drive, Suite 124
Radford, Virginia 24141
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