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Home My WebLink About030 - Appendix U - Weed Management Plan December 14, 2025 Gallatin County Weed District John Ansley, Weed Department Coordinator 903 North Black Avenue Bozeman, Montana 59715 Submitted via email: John.Ansley@gallatin.mt.gov Subject: Laurel Meadows – Subdivision Weed Management Plan (New Submittal) MMI Project No.10130.004 Dear John: Please accept this Subdivision Noxious Weed Management Plan in support of the updated pre-plat submittal for the Laurel Meadows development project (formerly West Park, formerly Norton Ranch East) in Bozeman, MT. This project was treated for noxious weeds in 2022 and 2023. The property is undergoing an updated pre-plat process for a different lot alignment. Noxious weeds were mapped on the subject property in October 2025. Weed species identified included: Canada thistle, musk thistle, and hoary alyssum. The investigation and weed management plan was developed by Lucas Conlon with Montana Spraying Company. Please review the enclosed information at your earliest convenience. If you have any questions please contact me at (406) 922-6847 or cpearcy@m-m.net. Sincerely, _______________________ Christine Pearcy Environmental Scientist Enclosures cc: Greg Stratton, PE 1 of 6 Date Received Gallatin County Weed District 903 North Black Bozeman, MT 59715 406.582.3265 www.gallatin.mt.gov weeddistrict@gallatin.mt.gov NOXIOUS WEED MANAGEMENT AND REVEGETATION PLAN LANDOWNER Name: _________________________________________________________________ __ Mail Address: ____________________________________________________________ _ City: _________________________________________________________________ ___ State: _________________________________________________ ZIP:_________________________ Phone(s):_______________________________ Email:___________________________________ ENGINEERING FIRM (If Applicable) Firm Name: ___________________________________ Engineer:________________________________ Email: ____________________________________ Phone: _________________________________ Requirements for Subdivision Weed Management Plan approval include: Brief cover letter stating current and future uses of the property Plat map detailing distribution and species of noxious weeds present Completion of this Plan Written contract with commercial applicator (if contracting weed control) Review fee: $150 for Minor (1-5 lots) or $300 for Major (≥ 6 lots) 2 of 6 PROJECT DESCRIPTION Project name: _____________________________ Physical address: ______ Legal description: T_____ N/S R_____E/W Sec_____ 1/4 _____ 1/4 _____ Number of lots: Total acres in project: Total road miles in project: PROJECT OVERVIEW Describe what the intentions are for developing this property: NOXIOUS WEED MANAGEMENT NOXIOUS WEED SPECIES ON PROPERTY (identify on plat map with weed inventory): METHOD OF WEED CONTROL YOU INTEND TO USE (mark all that apply): CHEMICAL MECHANICAL CULTURAL BIOLOGICAL Describe specific control measures and timing of control for 3 years. If using herbicides, include type of herbicide and rates. Attach additional pages if necessary (all such pages are hereby incorporated by reference). 3 of 6 ESTIMATED COSTS OF WEED CONTROL FOR 3 YEARS (specify cost for each year): Who will complete work: Self Contracted Contractor name (if applicable) ___________________________________ If hiring a contractor, a written contract with that contractor is required. Please provide a copy of this contract. When applying herbicides, use the proper equipment and safety measures. Read and follow the herbicide label! Year Herbicide/Applicator Cost Cultural/Mechanical Cost Biological Cost 1 2 3 Total *See page 6 for a list of the information that will be required to be submitted when applying for a Memorandum of Understanding in the future. REVEGETATION Are any disturbances planned? Yes No If yes, complete the following revegetation section. MANDATORY REVEGETATION REQUIREMENTS: Areas disturbed during subdivision development (road construction, pond construction, service/utility/gas/electric/telephone line installation) shall have a layer of topsoil redistributed onto disturbed areas. Disturbed areas must be seeded to an appropriate grass seed mix for the site. During the first and second years of grass establishment, areas seeded to grass shall be mowed as appropriate to prevent weed seed development and dispersal. PLANNED DISTURBANCES (mark all that apply): Utility/Service line Pond Road Park Trail Central septic Other (list type) Describe in detail the revegetation to mitigate all disturbances that will occur on this property. List type and amount of seed/sod, seeding methods and timing, and fertilization. Attach additional pages if necessary (all such pages are hereby incorporated by reference). 4 of 6 ESTIMATED COSTS OF REVEGETATION FOR 3 YEARS (specify cost for each year): Who will complete work: Self Contracted Contractor name (if applicable) _________________________________ Year Revegetation Cost 1 2 3 Total GRAVEL SOURCE (Complete this section if using an outside supply of gravel) List source of gravel/pit run/road mix/topsoil/etc. brought on-site for disturbance mitigation and/or construction. Name of gravel pit: Location: Contact person: *Be aware that gravel sources and topsoil may contain noxious weed seeds; therefore, we recommend using a source that is actively controlling noxious weeds on their property, consistent with an approved Weed Management Plan. 6 of 6 Required Documentation for Memorandum of Understanding: Year 1  Name of person or business that treated the land (applicator)  Contact information for the applicator  Date(s) and type of treatment Chemical: Trade name and rates of herbicide used Mowing: Dates mowed Bio Control: Provide details  Noxious weed species treated  Total acres treated and a map of area treated  Seed mix and seeding rates used  If contracted, a copy of the invoice  If self-treated, a copy of receipts for herbicides purchased Year 2  Name of person or business that treated the land (applicator)  Contact information for the applicator  Date(s) and type of treatment Chemical: Trade name and rates of herbicide used Mowing: Dates mowed Bio Control: Provide details  Noxious weed species treated  Total acres treated and a map of area treated  Seed mix and seeding rates used  If contracted, a copy of the invoice  If self-treated, a copy of receipts for herbicides purchased Year 3  Name of person or business that treated the land (applicator)  Contact information for the applicator  Date(s) and type of treatment Chemical: Trade name and rates of herbicide used Mowing: Dates mowed Bio Control: Provide details  Noxious weed species treated  Total acres treated and a map of area treated  Seed mix and seeding rates used  If contracted, a copy of the invoice  If self-treated, a copy of receipts for herbicides purchased The Memorandum of Understanding required for final plat approval will be denied if all of the documentation is not received with the MOU application. Laurel Meadows Development Noxious Weed Management and Revegetation Plan Prepared by: Montana Spraying Company LLC. 406-209-1198 mtsprayco@gmail.com montanasprayingcompany.com Site Description: The Laurel Meadows development is an approximately 42 acre site. The development site is generally flat and there are three land classifications lying within. Firstly, is non-irrigated field that is +/- 60% of the total area. Secondly, making up roughly 20% of the area is a retired gravel pit that has turned into a pond along with many gravel piles adjacent. Lastly there are several wetland / marshy areas. These are on the SW , NW and NE portions of the property. These areas make up the remaining +/- 20% of the site. Noxious and Unwanted Weed Inventory and Recommended Control Measures: There were 2 State of Montana listed noxious weeds and 1 Gallatin County listed noxious weed species surveyed on the property. Canada Thistle, Hoary Alyssum (state of Montana) and Musk Thistle (Gallatin County). Canada Thistle was found to be relatively widespread and prevalent on the vast majority of the property. There were several areas where the Canada Thistle densities were severe, these being the Western edge, the middle field grass area and the far eastern wetland area. The Hoary Alyssum was found to be located mainly on the western and southern border. Lastly the Musk Thistle was surveyed throughout the interior of the property with the densities being highest in previously disturbed areas. While not a noxious weed Kochia was found to be present and plentiful in the fields across the development site. The Kochia presence is not noted on the survey map as it is not a state listed noxious weed, therefore control is not required but recommended. It is likely as excavation work begins on undeveloped portions of the property there will be a significant increase in the amount of Kochia that will germinate. Controlling Kochia before they establish is highly encouraged. Once it is fully grown large patches can be a fire hazard, make site navigation difficult and lastly be extremely unsightly. Weed Species Present: Priority 1A: None present Priority 1B: None present Priority 2A: None present Priority 2B: ● Hoary Alyssum ● Canada Thistle Priority 3: None present Priority 4: ● Musk Thistle (Gallatin County listed noxious weed) Weed Survey Map: 3-year control plan: (A). Yearly herbicide application recommended between May 15 to June 15th as well as once in late September. Weed populations and densities are high enough, it is recommended the applicator broadcast the area the first year, then convert to a spot / spray method years 2 and 3. (B). As development progresses, mid-summer mowing to prevent seed head production between herbicide applications may be beneficial in areas that have been seeded, when grass is too young to be sprayed with a herbicide. Mowing is not a requirement if herbicide application is taking place. Rather an alternative in areas where herbicides cannot be applied or as stated when newly planted grass is too young to be sprayed. *If cheatgrass proves to be problematic during development, mowing is a good option for cheatgrass control. Being that cheatgrass is a winter annual it can be successfully controlled by removing the seed head before it is fully developed. A midsummer mowing and another late summer mow would be sufficient to manage the cheatgrass and mitigate its spread while development is taking place. (B). During excavation and construction it is expected that where soil is disturbed there will be an emergence of weeds. Often excavated topsoil and fill dirt piles are sold and moved around the county. Therefore, dirt piles should be sprayed and only with a non-selective herbicide so as the dirt will not carry any type of residual in the soil in case the dirt was to be used in a garden or any similar application. Estimated 3 Year Cost for Weed Management: Year 1: Estimate total = $14,540 Herbicide application in spring and fall. Broadcast application for noxious and unwanted weeds (kochia) in all applicable areas – Estimate 40 acres sprayed in spring/ early summer and 40to be sprayed in the fall. Spring – ATV/ UTV Work -38 Acres x $175/ acre = $6,650 Spring - Backpack/ handgun (gravel/ dirt piles & along creek) - 2 Acres x $310/ acre = $620 Fall - ATV/ UTV Work - 38 Acres x $175/ acre = $6,650 Fall - Backpack/ handgun (gravel/ dirt piles & along creek) - 2 Acres x $310/ acre = $620.00 Mowing of cheatgrass & newly seeded areas – twice/ year = NA for year one. Year 2: Estimate total = $6,780 Herbicide application in spring and fall. Secondly, mow any emerged cheatgrass patches and newly seeded areas 1-2 times per summer. Spot spray for noxious and unwanted weeds (kochia) in all applicable areas – Estimate 15 acres sprayed in spring/ early summer and 10 to be sprayed in the fall. Spring – ATV/ UTV Work - 13 Acres x $175/ acre = $2,275 Spring - Backpack/ handgun (gravel / dirt piles & along creek) - 2 Acres x $310/ acre = $620 Fall - ATV/ UTV Work - 9 Acres x $175/ acre = $1,575 Fall - Backpack/ handgun (gravel/ dirt piles & along creek) - 1 Acres x $310/ acre = $310 Mowing of cheatgrass & newly seeded areas – twice/ year ($1,000 / mow) = $2000 Year 3: Estimate total = $6,187.50 Herbicide application in spring and fall. Secondly, mow any emerged cheatgrass patches and newly seeded areas 1-2 times per summer. Spot spray for noxious and unwanted weeds (kochia) in all applicable areas – Estimate 15 acres sprayed in spring/ early summer and 7.5 to be sprayed in the fall. Spring – ATV/ UTV Work - 13.5 Acres x $175/ acre = $2,362.50 Spring - Backpack/ handgun (berms & along creek) - 1.5 Acres x $310/ acre = $465.00 Fall - ATV/ UTV Work - 6 Acres x $175/ acre = $1,050 Fall - Backpack/ handgun (berms & along creek) - 1 Acres x $310/ acre = $310 Mowing of cheatgrass & newly seeded areas – twice/ year ($1,000 / mow) = $2,000 Herbicide recommendations and Application Rates: Field and Pasture grass areas: Transline– 16 oz/ acre Escort – 1.25 oz/ acre Rifle D – 1-2 pint/ acre (when temps are cool, if over 80 degrees use 24D Amine) Non Ionic Surfactant – 1 qt/ 100 gallons of water Starine Ultra – 4-5 oz/ acre (optional but would help with kochia control) Riparian / Wetland Area: Aquatic 24D – 3-4 pt/ acre Escort XP - 1.5 oz / acre - *possibly add if water table is low enough Non Ionic Surfactant – 1 qt / 100 gallons of water Dirt Pile/ Bare Ground : Glyphosate – 2-3 qt/ acre Non Ionic Surfactant – 1 qt / 100 gallons of water Revegetation of Disturbed Land: During this project there will be disturbance of land for foundations, roads, parks and other things. Revegetation will take place in the areas that will not be covered by structures, parking lots or roads. As soon as disturbed areas are no longer needed for construction purposes, they should be re-seeded with a drill seeder, hydro seeder or no till drill as soon as possible with the ideal times being spring (asap after snow melt) and in the fall (Sept. 15 through Nov. as weather permits). However, for areas that have irrigation such as turf grass, timing is not as important being that the area is irrigated. Once disturbed areas are seeded, weed management in those areas must be navigated correctly. Care must be taken to not spray weeds too early when the new grass is still establishing. If sprayed too early establishing grass will be damaged and there is the possibility re-seeding would be needed. Generally, it is safe to spray roughly 45 days after germination in a pasture setting and 20 days in an irrigated turf area. Mowing is an option, but care must be taken not to mow when the ground is wet. The mower tires could tear up ground thus tearing up the establishing seedlings. Grass Species and Correlating Seeding Rates: Dryland Seed Mix: Paiute Orchardgrass: 12% Crested Wheatgrass 16% Intermediate Wheatgrass: 36% Pubescent Wheatgrass: 36% Drill seeding: 8-10 lbs/ acre Broadcast seeding: 15-20 lbs/ acre Lawn (Turft) Area Mix : Rate 4lbs / 1,000 sq ft. (if seeding turfgrass) Kentucky Bluegrass 26% Poa pratensis (park cert.) 27% Perennial Ryegrass 12% Fesuca ruba 8 % Drill Seeding: 11-12 lbs/ acre Wetland Seed Mix: Rate 2lbs / 1,000 sq ft. (If seeding wetland/ riparian areas) Western Wheatgrass 50% Thickspike Wheatgrass 50% Drill seeding: 8-10 lbs/ acre Broadcast seeding: 15-20 lbs/ acre Estimated 3-year revegetation costs: Year 1: Estimate total = $0 Estimate 0 acres to be seeded Year 2: Estimate total = $14,810.40 Estimate 2 acres to be seeded $0.17/ sq ft = $7,405.20/ acre (hydroseeded) Year 3: Estimate total = $14,810.40 Estimate up to 2 acres to be seeded $0.17/ sq ft = $7,405.20/ acre (hydroseeded) xx x x x x x x xx xx xxx xx x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x X - Hoary Alyssum xx x x xx xx x x X - Musk Thistle x x x x x x x x x x x x x x xx x x x x x x x x x x x xx x xx x x xxx x x x x x x x xx x x x x x x x x X - Canada Thistle xx x x x xx xxxx x x x x x x x x x x x x x x RECIPIENT: 8FC, LLC Laurel Meadows Development Bozeman, Montana 59718 Quote #2498 Sent on __________________ Total $23,507.50 Product/Service Description Qty.Unit Price Total Development Weed Control Spring 2026: -ATV/ UTV Work -38 Acres x $175/ acre = $6,650 -Backpack/ handgun (gravel/ dirt piles & along creek) - 2 Acres x $310/ acre = $620 1 $7,270.00 $7,270.00 Development Weed Control Fall 2026: -ATV/ UTV Work -38 Acres x $175/ acre = $6,650 -Backpack/ handgun (gravel/ dirt piles & along creek) - 2 Acres x $310/ acre = $620 1 $7,270.00 $7,270.00 Development Weed Control Spring 2027: -ATV/ UTV Work - 13 Acres x $175/ acre = $2,275 - Backpack/ handgun (gravel / dirt piles & along creek) - 2 Acres x $310/ acre = $620 1 $2,895.00 $2,895.00 Development Weed Control Fall 2027: -ATV/ UTV Work - 9 Acres x $175/ acre = $1,575 - Backpack/ handgun (gravel/ dirt piles & along creek) - 1 Acres x $310/ acre = $310 1 $1,885.00 $1,885.00 Development Weed Control Spring 2028: - ATV/ UTV Work - 13.5 Acres x $175/ acre = $2,362.50 - Backpack/ handgun (berms & along creek) - 1.5 Acres x $310/ acre = $465.00 1 $2,827.50 $2,827.50 Development Weed Control Fall 2028: - ATV/ UTV Work - 6 Acres x $175/ acre = $1,050 - Backpack/ handgun (berms & along creek) - 1 Acres x $310/ acre = $310 1 $1,360.00 $1,360.00 Total $23,507.50 This quote is valid for the next 30 days, after which values may be subject to change. Montana Spraying Company P.O. Box 1050 | Bozeman, Montana 59771 406-209-1198 | mtsprayco@gmail.com | montanasprayingcompany.com