Save a Forest in Southworth, WA

Southworth Forest Update:

Noxious, Invasive Weeds an Increasing Problem After Deforestation

Posted April 9, 2023 by Southworth Forest

Exhibit 11A: The northeast corner of Edwards' parcel contains a massive blackberry bramble that has grown since the increase of sunlight from the conversion. (2022)

Many landowners in the Puget Sound Region are well aware of the problems posed by noxious and invasive weeds like Scotch broom and Himalayan blackberries. These species thrive in disturbed areas were the tree canopy has been removed. They spread aggressively and have severely negative impacts to native plants, wildlife and, livestock.

The Southworth area in Port Orchard struggles to eliminate these noxious plants, and the situation has been worsened by the deforestation of 11090 SE Southworth Dr., formerly one of the community's largest remaining forests. Since this 2019 conversion in violation of Kitsap code, that property's acreage and surrounding parcels have experienced increased proliferation of noxious and invasive weeds.

Despite a requirement of Kitsap County upon owners Meghan and Clint Edwards to control these species in a corrective permit, these noxious weeds have spread from their property in the four years since their conversion violation. They failed to adequately declare that their property is a host for extensive noxious blackberries and broom. Their northeast quadrant contains a massive blackberry bramble, and Scotch broom has proliferated substantially in their converted area despite their efforts to mow it.

Edwards omits any plan to deal with the widespread Scotch broom and Bracken fern seeds that have flourished in their cleared parcel since the conversion. These seeds can lie dormant for years before growing. Re-grading, tilling, and adding pasture grass seed to this area will not prevent noxious and invasive weed growth that awaits from seeds already in their soil. Some of these plant species are poisonous to livestock as well, so animals cannot be counted upon to control them.

In some areas on neighboring parcels, no such weeds grew before the conversion because of dense forest cover on the Edwards property. Sadly, these surrounding areas have witnessed an increase in the volume (or first-time growth) of such weeds due to the additional light. Blackberry spread along Level Lloyd Ln. has increased, forming brambles beside the road. Broom, Bracken ferns, and thistles have proliferated from Edwards' conversion as well, especially on the western half of their property. Neighbors will be dealing with these impacts for decades.

Edwards does not indicate if and what herbicides or other chemicals will be applied to their pasture to control extensive noxious weed seed on their property. Neighbors have severe allergies to chemicals and use mechanical means to remove noxious weeds. As part of their corrective permit, Edwards must take proper measures to ensure that these species are manually eliminated from their conversion. Restoration of conifer buffers and/or solid fencing is necessary to diminish their existing spread on neighboring areas as well.

Exhibit 11B: Scotch broom grew quickly in the pasture area after the conversion. Here, it is shown in the middle of Edwards' property with a patch of remaining natural vegetation in the foreground. (2020)

Exhibit 11C: Scotch broom, albeit mowed, is shown in prolific spread over the northern half of the Edwards' converted area. (2021)

Exhibit 11D: Scotch broom is shown around Edwards' erosion control measures. This area had no Scotch broom prior to the conversion. (2022)

Exhibit 11E: An alternate view of the previous exhibit is shown. Bracken ferns mix with Scotch broom. (2022)

Exhibit 11F: BEFORE - Forest in the neighboring property to the west of Edwards is shown shortly after the conversion. Edwards' clearing is on the left. (2019)

Exhibit 11G: AFTER - The same area seen in the previous exhibit is shown three years later, Scotch broom and Bracken ferns invading the area due to new sunlight. (2022)

Exhibit 11H: Scotch broom and Bracken ferns have invaded the forest to Edwards' west due to new sunlight. The conversion is seen in the background. (2022)

Exhibit 11I: BEFORE - Forest in the neighboring property to the west of Edwards is shown shortly after the conversion. Edwards' clearing is on the right. (2019)

Exhibit 11J: AFTER - The same area seen in the previous exhibit is shown three years later, Scotch broom and Bracken ferns invading the area due to new sunlight. Sword fern die-back from heat impacts can also be seen. (2022)

Exhibit 11K: Another view to the west of Edwards' conversion in the neighboring forest shows significant Scotch broom and Bracken fern infiltration, as well as struggling sword ferns. (2022)

Exhibit 11L: Impacts of invasive plant species can be seen 100 feet into the forests to the west of Edwards' conversion. No such infiltration existed in this area before. (2022)

Exhibit 11M: An alternate view from 100 feet into the forests to the west of Edwards' conversion shows impacts relative to the Edwards property in the background. (2022)

Exhibit 11N: A blackberry bramble from the northeast corner of the Edwards conversion has increased in size since the clearing, encroaching upon Level Lloyd Ln. (2022)

Exhibit 11O: Increased light in the meadow on the property to the northwest of Edwards' conversion has caused an increase in Scotch broom and Bracken ferns. (2022)

Exhibit 11P: An alternate view of the previous exhibit shows noxious and invasive weeds that have proliferated more ready since shade from Edwards' forest was eliminated. The entire area in the foreground of this photo used to be shaded for much of the day. (2022)

Per State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) evaluation, the relevant WAC 197-11-444 elements for these noxious weed impacts are:

• (1) Natural environment > (d) Plants and animals > (i) Habitat for and numbers or diversity of species of plants, fish, or other wildlife
• (2) Built environment > (b) Land and shoreline use > (iv) Aesthetics