Maine Forest Service official outlines what must be in an invasive plant control practice plan

Alyssa Gregory of the Maine Forest Service walked attendees through what must be included in an Invasive Plant Control Practice Plan and the accompanying maps and paperwork needed for cost-share reimbursement.

The training listed core plan components: a written property overview describing location, topography and land cover; a survey description with dates and total hours spent; a qualitative description and a table of invasive plants found (common and scientific names, growth form, infestation level, and location); an explanation of prioritization strategy; prioritized management recommendations numbered by order; and a preferred five-year management timeline identifying the responsible party for each task. "If the plan is approved an approval letter will be sent out," Gregory said, and she emphasized that contractors should not begin treatment before they receive that award letter.

Gregory emphasized mapping and spatial-data requirements. Required maps are a property-boundary map, a surveyed-acres map showing the survey route, an overall infestations map, and individual-species maps. She said invasive-plant occurrences must be entered into IMAP Invasives (or uploaded via AVENZA for program staff to ingest) and that property-boundary spatial data should be sent to Greg Miller at the Maine Forest Service for GIS verification.

On survey effort, Gregory referenced the program manual table that links acres, infestation level and minimum survey hours (for example, roughly 2–4 hours for 50 acres at low infestation). She said preparers should list survey dates, total hours, and the portions of the property surveyed and should reference maps showing survey tracks.

For cost-share reimbursement, the webinar detailed required paperwork: a landowner affidavit (landowner name, plan preparer, plan date, surveyed acres, tax map/lot and town), a proof-of-payment record such as a canceled check or bank record, and an invoice marked "paid" that matches the amount listed on the claim-for-payment form. Gregory described the district forester review process: district foresters check that documentation is complete, verify GIS information (Greg Miller verifies spatial data), and confirm that acres listed are consistent with the plan before submission to the program coordinator and disbursement of funds if the application window is open.

She explained the submission workflow: plan documents, maps and cost-share paperwork must be emailed to the invasive plant inbox (use the subject line "IPCP [landowner name]"); spatial data must be sent separately to Greg Miller. Incomplete or partial plans lacking maps, spatial data, or cost-share paperwork will not be reviewed by the district forester.

Finally, Gregory reviewed next steps for landowners who opt for treatment: once the plan is approved and the landowner has been paid (if applicable), the landowner may apply for treatment using the Forest Service plant-control treatment application form found on the program website. She reiterated: contractors must wait for the award/approval letter before starting treatment. For help preparers and landowners can find their district forester via the district-forester map on the Maine Forest Service webpage or contact program staff named in the webinar, including Jan Sant, Nicole Rogers and Chad Hammer at the Maine Natural Areas Program, or Greg Miller for GIS questions.

The webinar concluded with an invitation to follow up with Maine Forest Service staff and a reminder to consult the program manual, specifications and checklist available on the invasive plant management web page.