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Invasive Species/Vegetation Management

Recent Developments

Listed below are recent developments pertinent to invasive species and vegetation management.  If you would like to suggest a recent development on this topic, please submit a short description to AASHTO (including any pertinent links) on the Share Info with AASHTO form.

• DOTs Participate in Landmark Agreement to Conserve Monarch Butterfly

  State departments of transportation are among parties that have signed onto an historic agreement for protection of monarch butterfly habitat. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the University of Illinois-Chicago signed an integrated, nationwide Candidate Conservation Agreement (CCA) and Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA) for the monarch butterfly on energy and transportation lands throughout the lower 48 states. The agreement encourages transportation and energy partners to participate in monarch conservation by providing and maintaining habitat on potentially millions of acres of rights-of-way and associated lands. Actions taken under the agreement may preclude the need to list the monarch or could speed its recovery under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The agreement also provides regulatory assurance and predictability in the event the monarch butterfly is listed as endangered. For more information, link to the Fish and Wildlife Service’s Nationwide Candidate Conservation Agreement web page. (4-8-20)

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• New Tools Facilitate Use of Roadsides for Monarch Habitat

  New tools to help vegetation management professionals evaluate and use roadsides as habitat for monarch butterflies and other pollinators have been developed as part of a study conducted under the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP Research Report 942). A pre-publication draft of the study, Evaluating the Suitability of Roadway Corridors for Use by Monarch Butterflies, looks at the potential for road corridors to provide habitat and provides a landscape model and a habitat calculator as resources for roadside vegetation managers. For more information and links to the model and calculator, link to the pre-publication report and related Monarch Joint Venture website. (1-21-20)

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• Synthesis Report Issued on Landscapes for Urban Freeway Roadsides

  A synthesis of state transportation department practices for landscape development along urban freeway roadsides has been issued under the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (Synthesis 539). The report addresses sustainable design and maintenance practices in connection with urban landscape development, integrated vegetation management plans, maintenance agreements, the management of the illegal use of the right-of-way such as unpermitted vendors and unauthorized occupants, and work zone safety for maintenance crews. Water conservation and protecting irrigation systems from unauthorized use are also addressed. The report found that more documentation is needed of current landscape practices and policies concerning high-visibility urban freeways with limited pedestrian access, and that guidance is needed on how to incorporate the issues at the project planning stage so that state DOTs can be proactive with design, construction, and maintenance. For more information, link to the report. (8-8-19)

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• DOTs to Partner in Conservation Effort for Monarch Butterflies

  State transportation agencies would play a key role in an unprecedented conservation effort for the monarch butterfly announced by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Under the agreement, voluntary conservation efforts will be undertaken by a coalition of transportation agencies and energy companies on highway and energy rights of way in the hopes of precluding the need to list the monarch as an endangered species. In return, the agreement would provide regulatory assurances to participants that additional conservation measures would not be required if the butterfly were to be listed in the future under the Endangered Species Act. For more information, link to the FWS’ Nationwide Candidate Conservation Agreement on Energy and Transportation Lands. (4-12-19)

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• Report Identifies Urgent Situation for Western Monarch Butterfly

  A report that evaluates the key challenges to the western monarch butterfly population has been issued by the Environmental Defense Fund. The report identifies an 86 percent drop in the population since last year, and finds that the reasons for the decline involve various factors including the development impacts on habitat, pesticide exposure, climate change, parasites, and disease. The report concludes that partnerships between landowners, resource agencies, and conservation groups are necessary to reverse the decline. For more information, link to the report. (4-2-19)

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• FHWA Updates List of State DOT Pollinator-Friendly Practices

  The Federal Highway Administration has updated its list of pollinator-friendly practices in roadside vegetation management by state DOTs. There are now programs featured from 33 state DOTs, including pollinator habitat programs, guidelines, project enhancements, and vegetation management efforts. For more information, link to the State DOT Pollinator-Friendly Practices section on the FHWA Pollinators website. (2-19-19)

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