App submitted 5-27-25 DFFM invasive plant grant.docx
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Arizona FOA - Forestry and Fire Management Invasive Plant Grant (IPG) - FY 2025 For any questions related to this program solicitation please contact jszopinski@dffm.az.gov Create New Application Back to Solicitation Application Submissions When you are ready to submit this step, please click the blue "Save" button at the bottom of the page. You can save this form as a draft at any time by clicking "Save Draft" at the bottom of the page. When you have completed all required items, please click the "Mark Complete" button at the bottom of the page. NOTE: When you have completed all required steps, be sure to click "Submit" on the next page. 1. Application/Project Title (100 Character Max) Provide a short descriptive title of your project. Buckeye Skyline Regional Park Invasive Plant Management 2. Organization Name (100 Character Max) List organization name. City of Buckeye Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) Number (Yes/No) Entities must register with the System for Award Management (SAM) at www. SAM.gov go get a UEI. Renewal each year is required to remain active. Yes 3. Project Lead (100 Character Max) List project lead name or names. Mark Bianco - Parks Manager Courtney Gomez - Grant Analyst Rob Roach - Grant Program Manager 4. Program/Project Congressional District (Check Box) 9 5. Program/Project Legislative District (Check Box) 25 6. Previous Funding (Yes/No; 100 Character Max) Has the project area been treated with DFFM grant funds in the past? If yes, what year and what was the funding source? Provide grant agreement number if known. No, the project area has not been treated with DFFM grant funds in the past. 7. Target Species (100 Character Max) List the target invasive plant or plants to be removed or controlled. Buffelgrass, Stinknet, Red Brome, Camelthorn, and Fountain Grass 8. Acres to be Treated (#) List number of acres to be treated. 500 9. Treatment Polygon (Yes/No) Do you currently have a GIS polygon layer for the proposed treatment area, or areas to be surveyed if this is an Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR) project? Yes 10. Match Contribution (#) What is the percent match contribution? This is calculated by dividing the total amount of match by the total project cost (grant share plus match) and multiplying by 100. Percent match should be 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% or 30% of the total project cost. 12 11. Map and Center Coordinates (0-10 Points; 1,000 Character Max) Provide coordinates for the approximate center of the project area in decimal form (ex: 33.448600, -112.087558).Map must include and display total acres to be treated, or total acres to be surveyed. Map displays adjacent / previous treatment areas. 33.293400, -112.343600 12. Project Overview and Area Description (0-10 Points; 1,000 Character Max) Provide an overview of the project area, vegetation types and need for funding. Describe the current population of the target species and any previous control efforts. The project is for prevention, control, and removal of invasive plants within 500 acres of the 8,700-acre Skyline Regional Park. The park is in the White Tank Mountains within the Sonoran Desert, with 22 miles of trails for recreation. Flora includes ironwood, palo verde, mesquite trees, and many types of cacti. Invasive species and their coverage of the target area include: Buffelgrass 40%, Stinknet 25%, Red Brome 15%, Camelthorn 10%, and Fountain Grass 10%. These plants have infiltrated the area and must be removed from competing with native plants for resources. Buckeye has not had the budget to perform eradication efforts. Volunteers pulled and bagged weeds across 5 acres per year in the winter, as this is the growing season in Buckeye. After the targeted area is treated, Buckeye plans to budget about $100,000 a year for ongoing treatment and maintenance. Buckeye will engage the services of a skilled company to aid in treating and removing invasive plants from the area annually. 13. Project Goals and Objectives (0-15 Points; 1,500 Character Max) Describe the importance of this project and identify the broad, long-term goals. List the specific, short-term objectives that will achieve these goals, and identify how the success of these actions will be measured. Buckeye is committed to the goal of maintaining the health and beauty of Skyline Regional Park and providing safe and enjoyable experiences while inspiring conservation of natural resources and cultural heritage. The non-native invasive species targeted for removal and their coverage of the area are as follows: Buffelgrass 40%, Stinknet 25%, Red Brome 15%, Camelthorn 10%, and Fountain Grass 10%. This project will remove invasive species and noxious weeds from a 500- acre area within Skyline Park. Backpack sprayers and UTV/ATV sprayers will be used for herbicide application. Mechanical treatments for invasive plant removal will be used to include grading, weed-eating, and manual removal of weeds with hand tools. Buckeye will utilize the services of a contractor to execute the project. To sustain this project after the initial removal, Buckeye will continue preventive treatment throughout the growing season each year, using its staff and a professional contractor to assist in this effort. Additionally, Buckeye Park staff will monitor the 500 acres each year to assess treatment needs. Photo points will be taken before and after the project, and before and after the growing season each year. Buckeye staff will measure success by initiating ongoing monitoring and assessment of the eradication success by engaging an independent contractor to provide periodic reports. Photo points will be compared semi-annually to assess progress and the need for improvement by Buckeye Park staff. 14. Scope of Work and Timeline (0-20 Points; 2,500 Character Max) Describe the work to be performed and provide a timeline with start and end dates. Include quarterly accomplishments. Outline who will complete specific activities. Describe if permits or environmental clearances are needed. The project is an invasive species removal project for the prevention, control, and eradication of non-native invasive plants and noxious weeds. Buckeye to provide annual vegetation maintenance services to maintain the park. Buckeye will use backpack sprayers and UTV/ATV sprayers for herbicide application, including Glyphosate for general control, Speed Zone South for broadleaf weed control, Pendulum for pre-emergence control, Cap for targeted treatments, and XL 2G for intensive control. Mechanical treatments include grading, weed-eating, and manual removal of weeds with shovels and hand tools such as McLeod rakes, hoes, digging bars, and weed wrenches, which will be used to maintain the park’s natural landscape. A mapping of the location of the invasive species to be eradicated will be completed. The services of a subject matter expert independent contractor will be retained to complete the majority of the project. Buckeye staff will assist the contractor with the bagging and removal of invasive plant materials. The aforementioned project is designed to ensure the complete eradication of roots to prevent the regrowth of the targeted plants. The above-mentioned herbicides were selected to target invasive species while minimizing impact on native flora. This includes both post-emergent and pre- emergent herbicides to ensure control of current infestations and prevention of future growth. The contractor shall perform invasive species removal and prevention services, including furnishing all labor, material, equipment, and supplies. The contractor shall take reasonable measures to provide for the safety and security of all present at the work sites during the performance of this project. The contractor shall ensure that employees are supplied and use proper personal protective equipment and follow safe work procedures. The Buckeye Parks Manager (BPM) will monitor and inspect the work area daily during the work period. Reseeding is not required. No permits are required. The work is estimated to start by November 1, 2025, and be completed by December 15, 2025. This time period is best for control when buffelgrass is growing and green, before stinknet flowers and produces seeds, before seed maturation of red brome, during camelthorn active growth, and before fountain grass new growth. The weather is usually very good during this time, so no material delays are expected. The contractor shall maintain approved work schedules. 15. Collaborative Elements and Partners (0-10 Points; 1,000 Character Max) Provide information about collaborative planning and implementation of the project. Outline the contributions of each partner and whether they are financial, technical or both. Describe if the project occurs on more than one land ownership. Buckeye will engage the White Tank Mountain Conservancy (WTMC) cooperatively regarding this project. WTMC is an active group of volunteers with a mission to “inspire all to conserve and enjoy the natural and cultural resources of the White Tank Mountains”. WTMC conducts numerous recreational and educational activities throughout the year. WTMC maintains an informative website and posts on social media. WTMC will be contacted for input into the project and for volunteer help regarding public education. WTMC will also be contacted regarding volunteer work for the execution of this project and ongoing sustainability. Buckeye will also direct efforts to inform and involve the community in the invasive species removal project, which may be in the form of meetings or workshops, educational materials, social media, and online resources. 16. Disposal and Prevention (0-10 points; 1,000 Character Max) Describe how field personnel and contractors (if applicable) will dispose of invasive plant materials and decontaminate equipment such as vehicles, tools, and PPE to prevent spread and new infestations. Explain the protocol that will be followed. Non-native, invasive plant materials will be bagged and removed from the site for disposal at a refuse dump. Personnel will don single-use personal protection gear, such as gloves, hats, vests, and safety glasses, to protect themselves from the elements and invasive species contaminants. Off-site from the park, equipment will be brushed, air or wet blasted, or high-pressure cleaned, and washed and rinsed with appropriate cleaning solutions. Pre-emergent herbicides will be used to prevent the germination of weed seeds by creating a chemical barrier in the soil. Pre- Emergence Treatments have been used in specific areas, where Buckeye has applied granular pre-emergence herbicides, such as XL 2G, to prevent the germination and spread of weeds. Research resources include “Long-term trends in restoration and associated land treatments in the southwestern United States” by Steel Copeland, etc., and the DFFM 2018 Arizona Invasive Plant Treatment Prioritization. 17. Sustainability Plan (0-15 Points; 1,500 Character Max) Explain how this project will remain effective long-term without reliance on additional state financial support. Describe maintenance activities such as surveying or mapping. Outline plans for passive and/or active restoration efforts within the area. This is an invasive species removal project at Skyline Regional Park in the White Tank Mountains. The purpose is to provide a “one-time catch-up” of eradication of Buffelgrass, Stinknet, Red Brome, Camelthorn, and Fountain Grass while engaging the community for ongoing support and maintenance. Buckeye proposes to establish an annual maintenance plan going forward that will be supported by the Buckeye General Fund budget to sustain the successful results accomplished by this grant project. The maintenance plan will be developed annually to fit the requirements of local conditions, types of vegetation, and climate factors. Buckeye intends to continue to receive the support of the White Tank Mountain Conservancy, as evidenced by the attached letter of support. To sustain this project after the initial removal, Buckeye will continue preventive treatment throughout the growing season each year, using its staff and a professional contractor to assist in this effort. Additionally, Buckeye Parks staff will monitor the 500 acres each year to assess treatment needs. Photo points will be taken before and after the project as well as before and after the growing season each year. Buckeye will measure success by initiating ongoing monitoring and assessment of the eradication success by engaging an independent contractor to provide periodic reports. Photo points will be compared to assess progress and need for improvement by Buckeye Parks staff. 18. Budget (0-10 Points; 1,000 Character Max) Please fill out the attached budget form. This form asks for financial details about how requested grant funds and local match contributions will be used by the recipient. Proposals not meeting minimum match requirements will impact the overall score. Budget is $ 227,101. Administrative is $2,700 provided by Buckeye as an in-kind match, for the Buckeye Parks Manager at $90/hour, 5 hours per week, for 6 weeks. Project labor of $24,000 provided by Buckeye as an in-kind match, for labor for debris pick up, clean up, and hauling to local dump by Buckeye staff at $50/ hour, 2 laborers for 40 hours/week for 6 weeks. Equipment at $265, provided by Buckeye as an in-kind match, for a truck used for debris removal, at 63 miles/week at 70 cents/mile (standard IRS mileage rate for 2025) for 6 weeks. Supplies of $136, provided by Buckeye as an in-kind match, for the cost of personal protection supplies, and gasoline used for equipment used in debris pick up and removal. Total in-kind match from Buckeye is $27,101. This equates to a 12% match by Buckeye. The grant share is $200,000 for contractor cost of $125,926 for herbicide, post-emergent, and application, $44,444 for labor, and $29,630 for monitoring, assessment, and reporting. Upload Budget Form Upload the Budget Worksheet (Doc/Docx, PDF or JPG format) - Maximum of 2 pages (8 ½ x 11) - The Budget Worksheet can be found at the solicitation webpage (20 MB max). 2025 IPG Application_Project Budget.pdf Upload Project Overview Map Upload a Project Overview Map - 1 page (8 ½ x 11). It should show the planned treatment area & adjacency to any completed, in progress, or planned DFFM, USFS, BLM or other projects.Also include plan treatment acres & center coordinates (20MB max). GIS polygon.pdf Upload Letters of Support (Optional) Upload Letters of Support - Maximum of 5 pages (8 ½ x 11) in one electronic file (PDF or JPG format) LOS WTMC.pdf