DNR WILDLIFE DIVISION GUIDELINES FOR DECONTAMINATION
INTRODUCTION
Invasive species are harmful to the environment, the economy and human health. Their impacts to natural resources and wildlife habitat have been severe in Michigan. Examples include phragmites in wetlands and waterfowl management areas, oak wilt in our forests, zebra and quagga mussels in the Great Lakes, and feral swine in our fields and crops. The most cost-effective method of addressing invasive species is to prevent their establishment and limit their spread.
DECONTAMINATION POLICY
The Wildlife Division is directed to implement decontamination to prevent the spread of invasive species through a Quality of Life (QOL) Policy and Procedure. This document was assembled by Wildlife Division staff to help guide decontamination practices. It is not meant to be prescriptive to every situation, but a starting place to use along with best management practices and best professional judgment to limit the spread of invasive species. Decontamination is not 100% effective and invasive species spread by other means. An analysis of invasion pathways shows that humans are the primary vector of spread of invasive species. Studies have proven that decontamination methods can substantially decrease the spread rate of invasive species.
There is currently a great deal of activity by Wildlife Division staff to clean equipment before moving to new locations. This document outlines supplementary information for employees highlighting many actions staff can take to protect their work areas, from modifying mowing practices to brushing boots.
WHERE DO I START?
Start with your boots, clothing and vehicle. They are probably used more than your equipment and are generally easier to keep clean. There should be a minimum level of effort to keep your boots, clothing and vehicle clean when you move from site to site. A few minutes with a brush goes a long way to minimize the spread of invasive species. Consider wearing clothing, socks and other outerwear that resist “hitchhikers”. Keep your vehicle clean and check the exterior for plants and debris each time you get in.
Taking a few general field precautions will help to lessen the risk of daily activities:
Know how work activities, equipment and gear may contribute to the spread of invasive species
Know your management areas – what invasive species you have and where they are; plan work to minimize spread from infested to uninfested sites
Minimize disturbance to sites by using existing trails, staging areas and points of access where possible
HOW DO I DETERMINE A SITE AND LEVEL OF RISK?
The Division recognizes that many of the activities in which field staff engage on a day to day basis would be considered high risk, as defined in the QOL Decontamination Guidance document. This may include visiting multiple fields in a given day, visiting infested sites or moving between lakes, rivers or streams. The levels of risk described in the guidance document and decontamination methods are meant to provide the best management practices available. Ideally, in high risk situations, the highest level of action should be taken, however when this is impractical (e.g. access to equipment is limited, productivity and work flow will be significantly reduced, etc.) staff may use methods described for lower levels of risk. One-size fits all guidelines are impractical and proper decontamination measures vary from site to site, for each piece of equipment and for different work scenarios. It is important to recognize the value of decontamination and try to implement the most effective measures to fit the situation and minimize the risk.
WHAT FLEXIBILITY DO I HAVE?
Staff must implement minimum decontamination procedures during their work. However, the chosen decontamination step based on risk is left to the professional judgment of employees and supervisors.
Special circumstances and situations may affect the level of decontamination at a given site or in a given work activity. Decontamination in winter is still necessary but access to water may be hindered. Emergency situations (e.g. wildland fires) may preclude the use of high level decontamination and work in highly valued sites (e.g. protected areas) may require additional decontamination. Managers should use best professional judgment and provide guidance to staff on a situational basis.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
When practicing decontamination, staff should do so safely. Consider the following:
1. Wear proper personal protection equipment such as eye glasses and gloves when needed
2. Ensure staff are trained on the use of decontamination equipment such as pressure washers and air compressors
3. Comply with manufacturers recommendations to sustain the life of decontamination equipment and prevent damage or safety concerns
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Invasive Species Identification
MISIN – provides species identification training
MNFI – provides species information
Invasive Species Control
DNR WLD & MNFI – provides best control practice guides
MISC/CISMAs – provides contact information for partner organizations interested in IS management
Invasive Species Reporting
MISIN – provides reporting tools, including iPhone/Android apps
Invasive Species Contact List – provides contact information for high-priority species
Questions or feedback? Contact anyone on the Wildlife Division Decontamination Implementation Team:
Tim Payne, Team Sponsor, SE Regional Supervisor,
Brandy Dybas-Berger – SE Region,
Tammy Giroux – SE Region,
Chad Krumnauer – SW Region,
Mike Richardson – SW Region,
Mark Monroe – NLP Region,
Vern Richardson – NLP Region,
Tim Maples – UP Region,
Don Brown – UP Region,
Don Avers – Field Operations,
Kile Kucher – Planning and Adaptation,
Sue Tangora – Planning and Adaptation,
Invasive Species (IS) Activity Risk TableActivity / Risk Level / General Precautions
Visiting multiple fields/units (terrestrial or aquatic) within a single game area / Low: If all fields/waterbodies are infested with the same invasive plants or all fields are uninfested; not using heavy equipment / Monitor fields/waterbodies for changes in IS distribution.
Medium: If some fields/waterbodies are uninfested or contain isolated populations of IS and others have invasive species; if some fields are highly valued or contain sensitive species / Plan work so infested sites are visited last and minimize disturbance by using existing trails, roads, etc. Monitor fields for changes in distribution of IS.
High: If only a few fields/waterbodies have invasive plants and others have none or contain highly valued, sensitive or rare species / Avoid visiting infested and unifested fields consecutively without proper decontamination. Minimize disturbance in both uninfested and infested fields.
Visiting multiple game areas or working over a large geographic / Low or Medium: If remaining on established roads and parking lots, or working with minimal contact with vegetation in reproductive stages / Be aware of differences in IS and sensitive species distribution between areas. Minimize disturbance in both unifested and infested areas.
High: If moving between uninfested and infested sites or between areas where high-threat invasive species are present in one and absent in the other / Follow the highest level of decontamination practical. If possible, consider alternatives to moving equipment between areas. Consider dedicated equipment when feasible.
Tractors and heavy equipment (e.g., dozers, loaders, and dump trucks) / Low: If all fields/waterbodies are infested with the same invasive plants or all fields are uninfested; If known IS are not actively reproducing / Monitor for changes in IS distribution. Avoid moving equipment over large distances without proper decontamination. Plan work to visit infested sites last, and when feasible, stage in areas free of vegetation.
Medium or High: If some areas contain high-threat invasive species; If some areas are uninfested and others contain IS; If know IS are in reproductive stages
Mowing / Low: If all fields/waterbodies are infested with the same invasive plants or all fields are uninfested; if known IS are not actively reproducing / Plan mowing activities around reproductive stages of IS. Monitor for changes in IS distribution. Consider dedicated equipment for high-value or ecologically sensitive sites. Plan work to visit infested sites last, and avoid mowing infested and unifested sites without proper decontamination.
Medium or High: If some areas are high-value or contain sensitive species; if known IS are in reproductive stages
Portable pumps (any equipment that draws water from a water body) / Low: No high-threat invasives present, or invasives not known to spread by fragmentation or seed / Visit uninfested areas first and infested areas last if possible. Clean pumps before moving to another waterbody.
Medium or High: High-threat invasives present, or moving from infested area to uninfested area
Boats and Trailers / Low: 5 days dry time between sites / Clean and drain between sites and after work activities, disinfecting if necessary.
Medium or High: High-threat invasives present; visiting multiple sites daily
Waterfowl banding or other aquatic work / Low: No contact with water, all activities are conducted on land (e.g. rocket netting and air cannon) / Plan work to visit sites with known IS last. Identify resources for high-level decontamination procedures near work sites (e.g. car washes, pressure washers, etc.).
Medium and High: contacting multiple waterbodies with varying IS presence-absence in the same day
DNR Wildlife Division: Updated June, 2015