Training Area Management through Herbicide Applications

If you are involved in Operations, Training or Managing dod training ranges, the next two sections are invaluable for you.  The first section details how to define, highlight and examine any area that is programmed for vegetation control.  The second section details how to utilize environmentally approved herbicides to effectively and efficiently manage and control vegetation that affects the following: 

• Line of Sight Corridors      
• Direct Fire Corridors
• Indirect Fire Corridors
• Maneuver Corridors
• Observation Points
• Training Areas
• Training Ranges
• Impact Areas
• Jump Zones

A Critical Environmental Training Area (CETA) is an area that is programmed for herbicide applications and is affected or influenced by any of the following:

• Wetlands
• Endangered Species
• Local flora and fauna
• Aquifers and other factors that may affect surrounding communities.
• In other words - ANYTIME herbicides are programmed for use on a dod training area or range – that area becomes a CETA.

When herbicide use is indicated, there are several factors that must be reviewed before the application.  Major consideration must be given to the ecosystems of the area.  CETA's require careful analysis, delineation, and control before herbicides are sprayed into the area.  The next section deals more specifically with Herbicides and their uses.  UAP is highly regarded within the herbicide industry and provides guidance and expert assistance to MaineMark in all areas regarding herbicide applications and sales.

Even though it is normal to designate the desired spray zone via GPS coordinates, it is still impossible to accurately visualize the area by looking at a ground map.  TimberMark™ technology can be used to delineate and visually define critical training areas.  Prior to any herbicide applications, an environmentally approved latex paint is used to mark the top of the boundary around the designated area.  By literally highlighting the critical training area, an airborne VISUAL inspection of the area can be performed by environmental, range control, and other interested personnel or agencies.  Once the appropriate personnel and agencies are satisfied that the correct areas are defined, herbicide operations can then be started with a degree of confidence not possible without the airborne inspection.  The newly developed TimberMark™ Telemetry system can also provide a complete real time visual representation of the area as it is laid out prior to spraying.

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Herbicides – The Basics

To be effective, a herbicide must: 

• Comply with all federal and state environmental rules and regulations.

• Control a wide variety of undesirable woody, broadleaf and grassy species.
• Be approved and registered for use in and around water.

Glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide in the world 

• It controls a wide variety of undesirable woody, broadleaf and grass species on forested and industrial sites across the United States.
• It is registered for use by farmers, homeowners, and industrial vegetation managers.
• It is sold in more than 130 countries worldwide. 
• In 1993 the EPA concluded that "Glyphosate and its derivatives can be used without resulting in unreasonable adverse effects to humans and the environment". 
• All applications are in accordance with state and federal regulations in place at the time of application.
• Applicators are licensed, and the products are applied according to rates specified on the label.

Glyphosate and the Environment

From an environmental standpoint Glyphosate has many desirable qualities that ensure that the vegetation is controlled and the environment is protected.  Glyphosate and its metabolites bind tightly to soil particles and degrade into carbon dioxide.   Because Glyphosate binds so tightly to soil particles, the risk of leaching is low and therefore is highly unlikely to move into groundwater.  It is virtually rendered inactive once it comes in contact with the soil.  Glyphosate is registered for use in and around water on forested sites.

This formulation of Glyphosate without the surfactant (the sticker or penetrant added to increase absorption into the plant) allows the applicator to add an aquatic approved surfactant for wetland sites or a non-aquatic surfactant on terrestrial sites.

There are other herbicides that alone or in combination will remain active in the soil or have the potential to leach into the water table.  If a land manager’s number one priority is protection of the environment and water table, then Glyphosate is the best choice.

Suggested Spraying Program.

• The goal is to turn a heavily forested training area into a useable training area.

• First Year - Highlight the boundary of the area utilizing TimberMark™ technology and then spray the interior with Glyphosate. 

• Third Year - Touch-up any areas requiring a second spraying. 

• Do a controlled burning to complete this phase of the management program.

• Establish a long term management and maintenance program.

Suggested Time Frames for Spraying

• Northern Ranges - Mid July - 1^st week of September.

• Southern Ranges- June - 1^st week of October.

TimberMark™ Paint

Our paint is a custom latex formulation of tree-marking paint (lead-free) that has been specifically developed for our spray marking system.  The closed system for loading paint into TimberMark™ ensures that no batching or mixing of paint is required on site. 

The paint has a narrow rain fastness window, and depending on the type of paint purchased, can last anywhere from 1 to 7 years.

The paint has been tested for LC 50 ratings on several fish and insect species, and has been approved for use by the Maine Dept. of Environmental Protection and the New York Dept. of Environmental Conservation.

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Range Design and Layout

Typically, new ranges are digitally laid out and developed through the aid of satellite imagery and other local area photos.  While this method works well from an engineering standpoint, the range is still invisible until construction begins and it is hard to get good design inputs from the actual end users.  TimberMark™ can take the digital range layout and can make it visible on the ground.  After the range is laid out, the engineers, end users, environmental and safety personnel involved in the range design can take an airborne view of the actual range.  After the aerial tour of the proposed range complex, any changes that might be required due to environmental or training issues can be reviewed and acted upon.  If a design change has to made after range construction has begun, it can potentially cost millions of dollars and delay the finish of the range by weeks or months.  A change made due to a design problem that showed up in the aerial flight could possibly and quite probably save time and large amounts of construction dollars.  The paperwork process to incorporate TimberMark™ into the GSA system has begun and should be completed in the near future.