Situation: Your team works for a weed control consulting form. The firm specializes in developing plans for controlling noxious weeds using a variety of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) methods. Another term used for the process in some references is called Integrated Weed Management (IWM). The goal of the company has been to apply a variety of controls to manage weed infestations with the least hazard to the environment, and least complaints from all the different interest groups.

The weed and pest board of "Rocky Mountain" County in Wyoming has asked you to come in and advise them on an infestation problem with Canada Thistle, Russian Knapweed, and Leafy Spurge. They have expressed concern because of having heard from numerous small acreage landowners about spray damage to their trees, shrubs, and flowers, and complaints from the "Rocky River" Grazing Association and homeowners about the weeds. The local chapter of Trout unlimited and the Wyoming G&F have also expressed concern about chemical contamination into the trout streams and the "Rocky" river, which supports a large outfitting and guided float and fishing business. The Wyoming G&F are also concerned about improving the range near the river and tributaries which is critical winter habitat for deer, elk, and moose. The nature conservancy has also expressed concern for the total ecology of the area, which in summer attracts a large variety of songbirds and raptors. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation local chapter has also contacted the county weed and pest board about ways that noxious weeds can be better controlled on the rangelands to improve habitat for elk in the winter.

The weed and pest board has asked you to come in and have turned over to your group one rancher's property that is a typical problem where all of the above mentioned groups' interests are involved. The map of the area is on the web site. You have decided to demonstrate the backpack sprayer as the method of chemical application for the Canada Thistle problem to immediately solve the problem. The second part of your plan is to prepare an IWM plan for the county weed and pest to implement over the next three years to demonstrate to all people concerned a compatible way to manage the weed problem in the county.

Instructions:

Complete all the answers to the questions on the sheet provided. You can either do it on the computer or in written form. Do use the computer for questions 4 and 5 and attach it to the answer sheet.

Due to the nature and time allocation for this activity, we strongly encourage you to allocate your resources and expertise to better utilize your time. Also, to accommodate the space, only one member of the team is to go to work on the backpack sprayer at a time.