CWMAs Funded by CIPM 2002-04

2002 | 2003

2004: 25 WMAs in 12 States

Broken Arrow | Central Arizona | Continental | Modoc | Palouse | Pershing Co. | Powell Co.| Sanpitch | South Fork/Simco | Stillaguamish | Summit | Tri-County | Utah-Idaho | Wasatch Co. | Washoe/Pleasant Valley | Weeds Across Borders | West Muddy

Broken Arrow WMA
Lake Andes, SD
Award: $4,850

The proposed Broken Arrow Weed Management Area covers upland prairie riparian areas, farmlands, pastures, and wildlife production areas. Saltcedar, purple loosestrife, Canada thistle, and leafy spurge infest approximately 10,000 acres in the area. The weeds threaten critical nesting cover and wildlife wintering habitat, and are dramatically reducing the production of grasses and other forbs that are used for grazing livestock.   The weeds are also threatening farmlands.

The WMA will focus around the Broken Arrow Wildlife Production areas; the common denominator is the waterfowl and upland bird nesting areas. Two organizational meetings were held in 2003 with more than 50 people attending. Interest was very high among landowners and agencies. In 2004, this project will contact all landowners and managers of lands in the area and will hold four public awareness and education meetings. The ultimate goal is to establish and maintain a weed management committee that utilizes education and awareness to build support and identify interested parties and available resources through an annual survey and inventory of problem areas. The committee will develop and implement control methods and utilize a monitoring and evaluation process for effective future decision-making.

Central Arizona WMA
Phoenix, AZ
Award: $5,000

Maricopa County is a diverse mixture of land uses ranging from wilderness preserves to intensely urbanized municipalities. Over 3 million people inhabit this proposed WMA. Several areas exist where urban development is directly adjacent to protected undeveloped public lands.   Furthermore, this region has warm climate that sustains plant growth during every month of the year.

The overriding need at this time is to establish a WMA that will serve as an advocate for preventing introduction and dispersal of invasive weeds.    This WMA’s advocacy role creates two primary obligations: first is to be a warning voice about dangers of nonnative invasive plants, and second is to serve as a weed information source including plant identification, weed control/abatement procedures, strategies for preventing introduction of additional weed problems, weed maps, and technical advice for rehabilitating infested sites. Salary for a part-time coordinator to facilitate WMA activities is a primary need.  

Twelve-month objectives are: complete a state noxious weed plan; inventory target species and produce map/database documentation; establish an invasive plant early detection network within Maricopa County; produce news articles for educating an urban audience about invasive plants; revise/update ‘Arizona’s Invasive Weeds’ field manual; provide noxious weed workshop(s) for private landowners, garden/nursery owners, city/county/state Dept. Of Transportation employees, etc.; establish an urban invasive plant resource center; and support 2005 National Weed Awareness Week.

Continental Divide CWMA
Dubois, ID
Award: $5,000

The Camas Creek watershed includes high mountains, high mountain meadows, forests, high desert, and valley meadow land used for native and alfalfa hay production. Nearly all of it is above 6,000 feet in elevation. The primary target weeds are leafy spurge and spotted knapweed which are found in abundance in nearby drainages. The Camas area is still relatively free of these weeds, although several isolated infestations have been found. The primary purpose of this project is to find unknown infestations and eradicate them before they become too large to hope for eradication.

When the leafy spurge is in bloom, the Eagle Rock Backcountry Horsemen will ride the area searching for infestations.   They will be equipped with GPS units and will record the coordinates for the infestations they find. Two horse pack spray units on pack animals will be taken into the areas where infestations have been found. ATV units will be used in areas accessible to them. The infestations will be mapped using resource-grade GPS units and treated with an appropriate herbicide. The sites will be revisited in the fall to determine whether a complete kill was achieved, and follow-up treatment will be made if necessary. The sites will be monitored in the summer of the next year and again treated if necessary.

One of the most important aspects of the project will be the increased awareness that the private landowners and public land permittees will have of invasive weed species as they participate in the project.

Elko County CWMA
Elko, NV
Award: $5,000

The CWMA has developed an aggressive plan of work for 2004.   The CMWA Committee will seek and secure funding for a coordinator position to carry out activities selected by the committee.   The committee may also consider enlisting the services of a dedicated, motivated, willing volunteer to serve in this capacity. Additional potential activities are: Build partnerships; train and educate volunteers; send county representatives to statewide weed workshops and conferences; coordinate activities with other CWMAs in Nevada; sponsor weed identification workshops and tours; compile weed inventories and prioritize target species; draft an Early Detection/Rapid Response plan; and obtain funding for additional weed control activities and projects.

Gilpin County WMA
Golden, CO
Award: $5,000

About 52% of Gilpin County is state or federal public land and is used primarily for forestry, recreation, or hunting.   On the private land, there are approximately 60 subdivisions and additional larger landholdings that are primarily used for livestock grazing or forestry. The current population of Gilpin County is around 5,000 people.

Gilpin County is in the relatively early stages of noxious weed infestation, probably due to its elevation and small population, however, the potential for weed invasion and spread is high.  This CWMA requests funds to allow us to offer a cost-share program to encourage the eradication of noxious weeds that occur in isolated patches on private lands. We are working hard to keep Gilpin County as weed-free as possible. We have a very good program for weed mitigation on public lands, but many of our private landowners (land rich and cash poor) are unable to afford to work on their weed problems, especially when the weed infestation covers many acres. These lands will act as vectors for the continued spread of weeds; for example, one landowner has approximately 20 acres of leafy spurge on the headwaters of a creek that drains much of the south half of the county. This landowner is very willing to work on this problem if given some financial support.  

One-year CWMA goals are:

• Use IPM techniques to control the small existing populations of weeds on private lands and rights of way to keep the weeds from spreading.
• Map weed populations.
• Educate private landowners about the specific weeds on their lands, give them information on control, and recruit their help in our efforts.
• Partner with other agencies to facilitate weed mitigation, mapping, and public education.

Green River Basin CWMA
Kemmerer, WY
Award: $5,000

Sublette County is one of the cleanest counties in the nation with respect to noxious weeds. Weed suppression programs are extremely aggressive and isolated patches are treated with continuing follow-up measures. The areas involved in this CWMA include big game winter ranges, recreation, livestock grazing, oil and gas, and roadless areas. Mountain mahogany is a sensitive habitat within the weed management area as well.

Early detection and rapid response is our goal, and the need for a complete survey of our weed management area is our first priority. The CWMA has a tentative goal of mapping (via ATV and horseback) 100,000 acres in 2004. Prevention and education is the weed management focus due to limited infestation of weeds.

Long-term goals are early detection, rapid response, and public education to maintain a nearly weed-free status.

Harding County CWMA
Mosquero, NM
Award: $3,500

Harding County - comprising grasslands, pinon-juniper forests, and riparian areas - is one of the least infested counties in New Mexico. However, it is surrounded by some of the most infested counties in the state. Therefore, the primary emphasis of the CWMA is weed prevention.

We plan to step up awareness efforts and offer a bounty for any new species that are found. One of our most effective tools for prevention will be the rapid treatment of any new species that are found. New invaders will be treated mechanically, biologically (goats), or by approved herbicide spraying.

The long-term goal for our program is to develop awareness resources and practices so that we will not need continued funding.   Rather, weed awareness will be a standard component of current job descriptions and all the cooperating agencies and landowners will understand their responsibilities in keeping the county weed-free.

Harney County CWMA
Hines, OR
Award: $5,000

The dominant land uses within Harney County are cattle grazing, recreation, and wildlife habitat.   Harney County is home of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, declared a global natural resource for migratory birds.   The BLM land in Harney County is home to the ecologically important sage grouse whose habitat is being threatened by an invasion of noxious weeds.

A partnership between the Soil and Water Conservation District and Harney County Weed Board is taking the lead in establishing a WMA coordinator.   A steering committee will represent the Harney County CWMA and will consist of a representative of each cooperating entity. In the next 12 months a WMA coordinator will be appointed to develop and finalize an operating plan. High-priority project areas and management of those areas will be identified through initial inventories and coordinated planning sessions. Education and awareness programs will be developed and initiated throughout the Basin.

The long-term goal for the CWMA is the establishment and maintenance of healthy, weed-resistant plant communities by expanding efforts through the CWMA.   Continued coordination between agencies and private landowners ensures a greater potential for weed control, prevention, eradication, and land rehabilitation. Eventually, we expect all land managers and owners in Harney County to be actively involved in the CWMA and managing weeds using the most ecologically-sound strategies available.

Leafy Spurge Management Along the Poudre River Watershed
Fort Collins, CO
Award: $5,000

Grant money will be used to manage, and in some areas, eradicate, nonnative leafy spurge from the riparian areas of the Poudre River and its tributaries in Larimer County using chemical, biological, and mechanical weed control methods.

In spring 2003, we mapped the riparian area and measured 62.7 acres of leafy spurge, and also Canada thistle, yellow and Dalmatian toadflax. Each infestation mapped had an average canopy density of 81 percent. In the next 12 months, project coordinators will use integrated strategies to manage the sites already mapped. Small, containable, leafy spurge patches will be addressed first with the goal of eradication with herbicides. Mid- to large-sized populations will be controlled with a combination of biological and/or chemical control.

In the fall of 2004, we will map these sites again to monitor our progress and perhaps alter strategies. Many of the areas surrounding the Poudre River have already been mapped using GPS/GIS technologies. We will intensify these mapping efforts by soliciting the staff of our partners. For example, the City of Fort Collins will lend in-kind seasonal support to map leafy spurge. The Larimer County Weed District owns the GPS equipment for its own staff and enough to lend partners. The GPS data will be downloaded, integrated into GIS county property data, and a map generated. These data will be used to chart our progress and determine on which areas to focused.

During the spring and summer of 2004, we will also contact landowners that have leafy spurge and offer to manage it without cost to them by using grant money.

Lemhi CWMA
Salmon, ID
Award: $5,000

The invasion of the numerous noxious weed species that have established in the project area is a threat to natural resources and traditional land uses. Native plant communities in the project area that burned in 2000 have become more vulnerable to the establishment and spread of noxious weeds. The project area has high road densities and is heavily used by ATV enthusiasts. The rate of weed spread in the project area is heightened by the heavy motor vehicle use, wildlife species, and cattle.

The Lemhi CWMA team has set the following 12-month objectives:

• Continue herbicide containment and control treatments to halt the spread of noxious weeds within and from the project area using Lemhi County and Forest Service weed control crews.
• Treat all known infestations of leafy spurge with two annual herbicide applications.
• Continue to search for new infestations of new and existing invaders using Lemhi County, BLM, and Forest Service weed inventory crews.
• Reduce the density of spotted knapweed plants and seed production by grazing spotted knapweed infestations in the core of the project area with one to two herds of 250 goats each for 60 days during the growing season.
• Award a herbicide treatment contract to begin control of a large spotted knapweed infestation near the southern boundary of the project area.
• Capitalize on the proximity of the project area to the city of Salmon to promote weed education and awareness.

Middle Colorado River Watershed CWMA
Moab, UT
Award: $5,000

The focus of this project are the high-priority weed species that have potential to be eradicated or at a minimum confined. There has been no widespread mapping to determine what areas have been invaded and what numbers (acres and/or actual plants) we have in this CWMA.

The first part of this project involves river corridors. Purple loosestrife was first found in 2001.   After mapping in 2003, we believe we can have a major impact on limiting the area this weed inhabits and keeping it from invading the wetlands and additional riparian areas. The second part of this project involves grazing areas, major wildlife corridors, and areas seeing an increase in recreation activities.   In this region, hoary cress, black henbane, and houndstongue have been found.   They also are relatively new weeds to this area and most importantly have only been found in small numbers.  

While none of these weeds are known to inhabit large areas yet (except for hoary cress that has a 100-acre section in Colorado), the actual numbers or spread are unknown. The desire of the CWMA partners is to conduct an effective mapping program and to start treatments on the weeds found within these areas before growth expands beyond control.

Modoc Noxious Weed Management Group
Alturas, CA
Award: $5,000

Modoc County is composed of a series of mountain ranges, valleys, volcanic deposits and lakes. The Modoc County Noxious Weed Management Group (MCNWMG) was formed in 1999 and has 30 partners. One of the goals of the MCNWMG is to use a coordinated approach to identify noxious weed infestations and minimize further infestations by using an integrated approach to pest management.   Educational and prevention programs are an integral component of the WMG's goals.

Grant funding will be used to further the goals of the WMG through establishing a position of Weed Coordinator. The Coordinator will provide a variety of functions, including   such tasks as

scheduling meetings and recording minutes, publicizing educational events and other activities of the Weed Management Group, assisting in the planning of seminars and tours, researching new treatment and revegetation technologies (including native seeds), searching for additional sources of funding, and increasing Weed Management Group membership and awareness throughout the County and beyond its borders.

Palouse CWMA
Moscow, ID
Award: $5,000

The Meadow Creek Tansy Project was started in 2000 by the Palouse Noxious Weed Partnership (which became the Palouse Cooperative Weed Management Area in 2001). The focus of the project has been eradication of tansy ragwort in two drainages. Commercial logging equipment has a high potential to spread tansy ragwort in one of the drainages, while the other drainage is a high recreational use area used by campers, hikers, all-terrain-vehicle and motorcycle riders, and hunters. More than 2,500 hours and $100,000 of cash and in-kind contributions have been spent on the project.

The Tansy Ragwort Project is the CWMA’s top priority for 2004. Focus will be on eradicating and containing the outlying populations of tansy ragwort, containing and reducing core populations, establishing “nursery sites” for biocontrol, educating the logging and recreational users about tansy ragwort and the spreading of noxious weeds, and starting television commercials about noxious weed identification and reporting. We will build and install a large informational sign and start personalized visits with recreational users. The CWMA will continue to post information about tansy ragwort and the project at strategic places (intersections, campgrounds, etc.) in the targeted drainages.

Pershing County CWMA
Lovelock, NV
Award: $5,000

The dominant land use in Pershing County is rangeland for cattle grazing. The Humbolt River is the main water source for 119,000 acres of irrigated farm ground and pastures.  

Organized in 2003, the Pershing County CWMA has completed its planning phase and is ready to swing into action in 2004. This CWMA is the only countywide weed-abatement group. The main issue the group faces is mapping weed locations, as well as maintaining awareness of new species being introduced from surrounding areas. It is critical to determine acceptable mapping methods, then map the saltcedar, tall whitetop (perennial pepperweed), and Russian knapweed infestations along the 100-mile Humbolt River corridor, in particular. For saltcedar, it is desirable to not only map the area infested, but also density and size of existing plants.   With these details, the acre-feet of water lost due to saltcedar – as well as damage to wildlife habitat – can be estimated and additional funding can be pursued. Aerial photography and other remote mapping techniques will be investigated.  

As part of an early detection / rapid response program, an educational thrust will be launched to enhance the awareness of the general public and local growers of the significant threat from new invasive species.

Powell County Dalmatian Toadflax WMA
Deer Lodge, MT
Award: $5,000

While the main focus of the WMA cooperative effort has been managing noxious weeds well established in the area, a more recent focus has been preventing new invaders from becoming established.   Because of the invasive characteristics of Dalmatian toadflax, the difficulty of control, and the relatively small infestation size in the project area, landowners and the Powell County Weed Board are making containment/eradication of Dalmatian toadflax a priority.   Recent mapping efforts indicate there are about 700 acres of Dalmatian toadflax within the project area.

Revegetation is a key component of this plan.   While a main goal of the project is to work toward containing and eradicating Dalmatian toadflax, it is understood that economically and ecologically sound measures must be implemented to prevent Dalmatian toadflax from re-establishing.   Those measures can include proper grazing management and effective revegetation with competitive desirable species.   Revegetation after chemical control will be implemented on a limited scale on acreages that can be addressed from the ground.  

The following will be accomplished within the next 12 months:   Three town hall meetings will be conducted throughout the county to provide educational opportunities and materials to the project participants; educational presentations will be made to area school children; participants will be provided with weed maps;   biocontrol releases on Dalmatian toadflax will be made; landowners will map Dalmatian toadflax and implement control measures; revegetation will occur on selected sites; and a Project Area Dalmatian toadflax GIS map will be compiled.

Sanpitch CWMA
Price, UT
Award: $4,994

The Sanpitch CWMA has targeted squarrose knapweed, which is pervasive and threatens to spread into the Mt. Nebo Wilderness Area.   The local infestation began several years ago with about 5 acres.   Before treatment began, it had spread to 10,000 acres.   Although it has been successfully treated and killed in some areas, constant vigilance is required to contain its further spread.   There have been two major wildfires on the front range of the Nebo Mountains in the recent past and a build-up of fuels makes it vulnerable to future wildfire. If squarrose knapweed is allowed to spread into the wilderness area, it will fill in behind the fire in areas too steep to treat.   In addition, squarrose knapweed threatens to destroy the farming and ranching enterprises in this locale.

Controlling squarrose knapweed in this location has been the focus of Juab County’s efforts for 8 years, most aggressively in the past 3 years.   However, with the organization of the Sanpitch CWMA, there is an opportunity for members to assist Juab County and the Forest Service with its work in this area.   By hiring a seasonal worker to assist the CWMA, it will be possible to continue and enhance control of squarrose knapweed in North Canyon and near the Mount Nebo Wilderness Area. The extent of the weed infestation on the front range of the Nebo Mountains will be inventoried in North Canyon and other nearby canyons and draws. Insects will be released in selected areas near North Canyon.   

South Fork/Simco CWMAs
Mountain Home, ID
Award: $5,000

The South Fork CWMA and the proposed Simco CWMA are dominated by sagebrush-grass ecosystems interspersed with cultivated agricultural land devoted to the production of irrigated row crops, small grains, and forage crops.   Both CWMAs contains numerous riparian areas that are critical habitat for the diverse wildlife of the area. Rush skeletonweed is the primary weed being targeted in the both CWMAs. Other weeds such as leafy spurge, Scotch thistle, Dalmatian toadflax, and spotted knapweed are also present.

An integrated weed management   plan is being implemented to include herbicide treatments, biological control, and improved range management techniques.   Weed-mapping with GPS technology enhances effectiveness of the weed management program.   Field tours and workshops will be conducted by the Elmore County Extension educator/professor.   He will establish demonstration trials that will be part of field tours conducted during the growing season.   After the growing season, he will conduct workshops where principles of integrated weed management will be applied to weed problems in Elmore County.   Agricultural professionals and land management personnel will assist the Elmore County Extension educator in this effort.

The project goals are to enhance control of noxious weeds, especially rush skeletonweed in the South Fork CWMA and proposed Simco CWMA; establish the Simco CWMA and cooperate with the adjacent South Fork CWMA; begin implementation of an integrated weed management program in the Simco area.

Stillaguamish Watershed CWMA
Snohomish, WA
Award: $4,965

The focus of this project is to reduce or eliminate established Polygonum spp. infestations in the Stillaguamish River system. About 25% of the river has been surveyed and mapped for Polyganum spp., also referred to as “knotweed.”   A total of 21 acres of knotweed was found along the Stillaguamish River during last year’s survey.   The next goal is to treat identified stands and to avoid spread to noninfested areas.   

Treatment will begin on the upper extents of the mainstems in the Stillaguamish basin, working   downward. Larger stands in lower areas, where access is easy will also be given priority treatment.   Knotweed found on gravel bars where little other vegetation is growing, will be controlled in the fall without prior mechanical control.   Areas where knotweed has been treated will be recorded using a Trimble GPS and the data will be mapped using Trimble Pathfinder and ArcView software.   A boat will be used to carry personnel and equipment to some areas where access by foot is not possible.

After the eradication of knotweed, habitat restoration using volunteers from the Snohomish County Native Plant Program and the Washington Conservation Corp will follow.  

Summit CWMA
Salt Lake City, UT
Award: $5,000

The dominant land use within the Summit CWMA is urban and suburban areas, throughout which there is an abundance of dispersed recreation uses (privately owned ski areas, trails, Swaner Nature Preserve, Forest Service property). The Park City area has a serious problem with dyer’s woad on much of the valley floors and is creeping up into cleared and/or newly developed areas in higher elevations. Spotted knapweed, yellow starthistle, Canada thistle, whitetop, Scotch thistle, and houndstongue can quickly become serious problems as well.

During early spring, public meetings will be held and presentations made on noxious weeds with recommendations for identification and control. Specifically, presentations will be given to area schools, and workshops will be held for the green industry professionals (landscapers, developers, and nursery owners) on preventative measures to reduce the spread of noxious weeds as well as effective treatment measures.   Brochures will be printed and distributed to area residents and schools. Training will be given to ski resort employees on proper identification and treatment of the noxious weeds.   All literature will have several phone numbers in order to contact members of the CWMA or the county weed department for assistance with identification, reports of new infestations, and recommendations for control. Homeowners will be offered incentives such as cost-sharing for noxious weed treatment. All of these educational activities will help in the awareness, detection, and control of noxious weeds.

Furthermore, a community weed-pull that will target dyer’s woad in the upper reaches of the watershed will be held in the spring. Volunteers shall be rewarded with $8 per 40-lb. bag of weeds. Awards shall also be given to volunteers who find the most remote patch of noxious weeds.

Tri-County CWMA
Baker City, OR
Award: $5,000

Rush skeletonweed populations within northeast Oregon continue to expand in density and area. This weed has been the target of an aggressive chemical and biological treatment program across the CWMA. Established bio control agents have reduced spread rates but have not stopped the spread into new areas. The Tri-County CWMA is proposing to implement a stronger attack on the outlying areas in all three counties. The largest infestation of skeletonweed occurs along the Snake River, with outlying populations expanding outward. The CWMA plans to survey, using GPS's and PDA equipped with Arcpad, and treat these outlying areas as well as isolated patches to help contain the spread. The CWMA will be using the IPM approach to bring about and promote a healthy ecosystem. Treatments will be applied using backpack sprayers, ATV, 4x4 pickups, and horses. Reseeding will be used to bring about community replacement and create "islands," or sites of desired vegetation, which serve as a seed source to promote plant succussion within the treated areas.

Short-term objectives are:

• Intensively survey and map the outlying infested area in all three counties (10,000 gross acres)
• Prepare site-specific prescriptions for 1,000 acres.
• Begin control efforts on 1,000 acres with herbicides.
• Seed/fertilize sites with competitive vegetation, where feasible.
• Increase education and awareness through training, field trips, and media.

Utah-Idaho CWMA
Pocatello, ID
Award: $5,000

The Black Canyon project area consists of mixed-forest types from Douglas fir to aspen stands to mountain mahogany. Sagebrush grasslands cover the rolling hills and multiple riparian areas fill the drainages. The Black Canyon Project was the first Integrated Pest Managmement Leafy Spurge eradication program in Idaho to incorporate sheep grazing and Aphthona flea beetles.   Aphthona nigriscutis were introduced into many sites of solid leafy spurge in 1989. In 1998, sheep grazing was introduced into the spurge infestations.   The project has been overwhelmingly effective, completely eradicating some stands of spurge, while greatly reducing others. The biological aspect of the program is allowing watershed conditions to improve, native vegetation to re-establish, soil retention to improve, and herbicide applications to be reduced.

In May of 2004, full-scale monitoring is once again scheduled to assess the impacts to the leafy spurge and determine how to manage the sheep band over the next five-year period.   Stem densities in 1998 were over 524,000 per acre at some sites and over 2 million at others.   Ocular monitoring in 2000 showed some sites with fewer than 100 stems to no stems per acre. A GPS monitoring program has been established to map rate of spread of infestations or show success of implemented control efforts.  

The Black Canyon Leafy Spurge project will continue the sheep grazing and Aphthona flea beetle redistribution. Working cooperatively with land users in the area, the project will monitor study plots to increase the data collection and integrate newly implemented uses of technology.   The long-term goal is to improve habitat for wildlife while providing a healthy rangeland for livestock producers, as well as increase native plants.

Wasatch County CWMA
Heber City, UT
Award: $5,000

Leafy spurge in Heber Valley has grown to 583 known acres and additional starts are expected to be located and mapped.   However, the potential for additional spread is imminent with many acres of land being purchased for development and speculation rather than active farming and ranching as in the past.   This situation creates a reluctance to control weeds since some owners are absentee and others believe the lots will soon be sold for home and building construction.

An integrated pest management plan will include treatment combinations of herbicides, insects, grazing by sheep and/or goats, hand control, cultural and seeding, along with other effective methods. Emphasis will be placed on plant populations near water such as canals and streams. Perimeter starts will be considered next in order to limit spread on leading edges and from isolated plants. Reseeding with competitive grasses is planned for depleted areas and locations where dense stands of leafy spurge existed after it has been reduced and controlled. Cultural treatment will also be completed on private cropland.

An outreach component will be included and will continue with the “Annual Noxious Weed Awareness Day” in late May or early June.   This may be expanded to an awareness and education month in the county. Noxious weed educational information has been distributed to a middle school to be used in their seventh-grade science program.

Washoe/Pleasant Valley CWMA
Carson City, NV
Award: $3,501

This CWMA is located between two Reno and Carson City. Dominant land uses in the area are ranching, farming, recreation, residential, small urban “ranchettes,” and golf courses. The coordinating group is composed of long-term and newly arrived residents. The group has a common goal of preventing the area from becoming as infested as neighboring valleys and metropolitan areas.The proposed project targets a six-mile portion of Steamboat Creek and its tributaries.

The CWMA’s management plan calls for initial mapping with the results being provided to all members for use in their respective zones. This will determine priority areas for application of herbicides and subsequent reseeding if necessary. A cooperative approach will be used for treatment as needed. The Steamboat Creek treatment will involve herbicide application initially. Revegetation and streambank stabilization are addressed in the Steamboat Creek Restoration Plan. Through the use of donated seed and available equipment, revegetation will be employed in conjunction with chemical control to maintain adequate plant competition. The group’s goal for the Steamboat Creek project is replacement of a monoculture of tall whitetop (aka perennial pepperweed) with native vegetation and/or vegetation suitable to the soil type with high erosion-control properties. A public awareness and education program is underway.

Weeds Across Borders CWMA
Okanogan, WA
Award: $5,000

This CWMA project, which is a cooperative program with U.S. and Canadian vegetation managers, covers portions of Okanogan County and across the U.S. border into Canada. Its purpose is to exchange education and training ideas, coordinate inventory, and share resources.

It will bring together county agencies, state highway, federal highway, and two districts in Canada to develop a coordinated approach crossing borders, work through laws, and find common goals. Targeted weeds are wild 4 o’clock (Mirabilis), musk thistle, puncturevine, purple loosestrife, and leafy spurge.

One-year goals are to map and survey designated lands; release biocontrol agents on purple loosestrife and musk thistle; apply treatment to top-priority, actively growing Washington State noxious weeds; and develop and implement roadside management plans.

West Muddy WMA
Hotchkiss, CO
Award: $4,850

The West Muddy area   consists of private land and public lands. The private land is surrounded by the Grand Mesa National Forest. Nearby roadless areas host outfitting and ranching activities and are considered prime elk and deer habitat. The biodiversity of this area is currently being threatened by an explosive increase in oxeye daisy.

One-year goals are:

• Control 400-500 acres of oxeye-daisy-infested lands prior to seed set on both public and private lands.
• Compare the effectiveness of two herbicides on this particular oxeye daisy population.   Effectiveness can differ from one population to another because of difference in biotypes and previous exposure to herbicides.
• Compare the effectiveness and costs of different herbicide application techniques.
• Compare productivity and control between a herbicide/fertilizer combination and herbicide alone.

• Organizational or personal meetings will be held with all willing partners.
• The area will be mapped using GPS/GIS technology.   Photo points will be established.
• The area will be remapped and photographed in 2005. Oxeye plant densities will be compared to the 2004 densities

2003: 17 WMAs in 10 States

Alder South/West Bench | Skyline | Asotin County | Southern Nye County | French Creek | Spring Creek Region | Land's End | Steve's Fork | Lower Sheyenne | Sunlight/Crandall | Malheur County | Upper Arkansas River | Milk Creek | Utah County | Mojave | Wall Canyon | Nooksack Basin

Alder South/West Bench CWMA
Virginia City, MT
Award: $5,000

The impacts of noxious weeds are being felt by the landowners of the Ruby Valley, due to the substantial increase in recreational use of the area and a shift in land use from local agriculture to non-local residential/recreational ownership, with lessened pressure for weed management. Spotted knapweed, Canada thistle, and houndstongue infest waterways, roadways, and rangelands. The targeted weeds will also include Montana Category 1 and some Category 2 weeds, as well as two county-listed invaders - field scabious and musk thistle. Private landowners have pledged to control weeds on their properties with assistance through a county cost-share program. Our immediate goals are to increase participation in this program, locate and treat weed infestations, and offer outreach efforts including educational spray days, brochures, and ID booklets. Our long-term goal is to prevent and contain noxious weed propagation and reduce established infestations within the WMA through education, monitoring, and proper management of existing invaders. The project will help landowners effectively manage weed problems in the future and promote growth of native vegetation to ensure healthy upland and riparian habitat, thus meeting the needs of wildlife as well as the recreational and agricultural industries.

The Ten-Mile watershed is rugged and inaccessible except by foot and horseback. While rush skeletonweed has been found along the Grande Ronde and Snake rivers, none has been found in the interior of Asotin County. The Ten-Mile watershed represents a corridor into the heart of the county and initial surveys of its upper drainage have shown small infestations, indicating the urgent need for surveys of the entire area. At present, the ACCWMA's goal is total eradication. During initial surveys, biocontrol gall midges and gall mites were released, flowers and seed heads were clipped and carried out, and some isolated infestations were sprayed. All of the landowners in the Ten-Mile watershed cooperated with the initial surveys and are enthusiastically behind this project. Our 12-month goals are to complete the surveys and initial treatments and establish photo points to provide a record of treatment success. Inventory work will begin mid-summer and continue into October, since rush skeletonweed is most easily seen after the grasses have turned brown. Infestations will be mapped using GPS units and computer mapping programs and sites marked with biodegradable flagging tape. Chemical treatments will begin in October and continue until finished. Our long-term goals are the control or eradication of rush skeletonweed in the Ten-Mile watershed, follow-up spray treatments on infestations; long-term monitoring of treated sites; yearly surveys in the area; and landowner education.

The threatening issues to this area include noxious weed invasion and stressed community relations. Canada thistle and leafy spurge are spreading quickly along the watershed and into the upper rangeland areas, and saltcedar presents a new threat. The loss of wildlife wintering habitat has fast become a major issue in the agricultural community. Landowners, agencies, and outdoor enthusiasts have joined together to build the relationships needed for better stewardship of all lands throughout the French Creek watershed. We intend to implement an awareness and education campaign, including public meetings, mailings, a biocontrol redistribution day, and weed control field days. Public input will contribute to a noxious weed management, evaluation, and monitoring plan for the French Creek area. We will inventory noxious weeds in the watershed, develop a database, and implement a cooperative, integrated control program with private landowners. Long-term, we intend to build a self-sustaining weed management area with an active committee that inventories their various resources and matches them up with their needs. The end result will be improved health of the rangeland and forest ecosystem and a partnership based on a mutual understanding and respect for each entity's priorities, obligations, and limitations.

Lands within LEWMA include watersheds, natural areas offering wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities, and public and private agricultural lands. Our purpose is to prevent he spread of weeds from higher to lower elevations by early detection and control in the watersheds. Targeted weeds are Russian knapweed, whitetop, chicory, tamarisk, musk thistle, and Canada thistle. This grant will fund a technician to coordinate demonstration projects and field trips, publicize LEWMA, organize weed identification workshops, and help complete our strategic plan and annual work plan. Grant funds from the US Forest Service will be used to conduct demonstration herbicide treatment and reseeding projects, develop educational materials, and assist with weed mapping and treatment. New ideas used in our demonstrations include goat grazing followed by herbicide application on Russian knapweed. Treated areas have been seeded using the goats as "planters," hoofing the seed into the soil as well as adding fertilizer. Our long-term goal is to demonstrate that, through cooperation, coordinated activities, and proper methodology, invasive noxious weeds can be managed effectively, resulting in better habitat, increased land values, and improved watershed functioning. As the first WMA in Mesa County, we expect LEWMA to become an example for future WMAs.

The five-county project area is the watershed of the Sheyenne River Valley from Valley City to the confluence of the Red River at Fargo, ND. Purple loosestrife has spread downriver 20-25 miles in four years. Since infestations are still relatively small and isolated, we hope to eliminate it in the WMA and implement a monitoring plan. Saltcedar, a recent invader, inhabits the same wetlands and also spreads rapidly, so we will attempt eradication early in its infestation. Our immediate plan is to educate the public about the severity of the purple loosestrife and saltcedar problem. Both of these plants have been sold as flowering ornamentals, so it has been extremely difficult to bring seed dispersion under control. We will begin by mapping purple loosestrife and saltcedar, using GPS waypoints. This tracking system will enable us to evaluate our success, which is integral to the ongoing planning process involved with a project of this magnitude. Our ultimate goal is total eradication of these plants in our area. Potential seed sources will be eliminated, and the general public will be well educated, able to identify purple loosestrife and saltcedar, and aware of the threat of infestations to the wetlands.

Most of Malheur County is still relatively pristine, but eight weed species pose a singular hazard to the area's fragile ecosystems and economy, particularly to several rare plants listed as threatened or endangered. None of the weed species—rush skeletonweed, yellow starthistle, knapweeds, leafy spurge, Dalmatian toadflax, and jointed goatgrass—are yet well entrenched, so containment or eradication are possible. Through a cost share program, about 90 private landowners are controlling these weeds on their property, and the MCCWMA will expand this program. Malheur County has been selected to receive the first copies of a new weed database containing archived weed location data from as far back as 1975, and we will begin further mapping and inventory. We will participate in commodity group and management meetings; conduct conservation/wildlife events; and present weed/biocontrol displays. About 200 acres have been replanted with native and introduced perennial grasses and forbs, and we plan to rehabilitate nearly as much this season. Our long-term goal is to prevent any further spread of the targeted species, to work toward eradication where possible, and to build a more comprehensive weeds database with all major infestations of common weeds and all new invaders.

The primary weed problem in the project area is the spread of leafy spurge from Milk Creek into neighboring drainages and upland areas, threatening wildlife habitat, riparian areas, and recreational and agricultural lands. Although integrated weed management efforts have had some success, chemical treatments need to be more timely and coordinated with other methods to achieve effective, economical treatment. During the 12-month grant period, landowners and agency personnel will participate in two field days for herbicide treatment, and another for collection and relocation of leafy spurge flea beetles within the WMA. We will continue to monitor the effectiveness of chemical control and the impact of already established biocontrol insects (flea beetles and stem borers). Our long-term plan is to confine leafy spurge infestations to the Milk Creek channel, preventing its spread into surrounding uplands and tributary drainages. We will attempt to eradicate small, isolated satellite infestations, implement an education/outreach program; and continue to conduct weed surveys to locate and aggressively treat new infestations.

The project encompasses the riparian ecosystems along the Mojave River from the San Bernardino Mountains through the Mojave Desert. Dense stands of saltcedar have displaced native cottonwoods and willows. A comprehensive, long-term plan which identifies and eliminates upstream seed sources is necessary to restore a healthy ecosystem. During the 12-month grant period, we will develop a comprehensive weed management plan for the Mojave River, which will then be used to develop project proposals and funding requests necessary for implementation of the control strategy. In the management plan, we will identify the scope, personnel and material needs, time frame, and development and implementation costs, as well as sites requiring revegetation or rehabilitation. An existing landowner database, vegetation maps, and other natural resource data will be combined into a GIS database, to be updated throughout implementation of the plan. Our long-term goal is to eradicate saltcedar from the Mojave River and restore the associated ecosystems to healthy conditions, thereby enhancing and protecting land values, wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities, and water quality and supply.

Knotweed is an aggressive non-native perennial species from Asia, invading riparian areas, moist disturbed sites, rights of way, and roadsides. This project targets Japanese, giant, and Himalayan knotweed and their hybrids. Many of the drainages in Whatcom and Skagit counties and British Columbia discharge into the Nooksack River, so potential for knotweed movement is high. To develop a unified approach to knotweed management, we will hire a coordinator to organize inventory/mapping efforts, train volunteers, contact property owners, and manage our database. Control work will begin at the farthest reaches upstream and in other areas of high potential for dispersal. Public outreach will be increased via existing educational programs. Our long-term goals include manual/chemical treatment of new infestations; tracking treatment methods and stem counts through a database to monitor progress; and expanded efforts in the lower reaches of the Nooksack main stem and its tributaries. Revegetation and restoration of riparian areas are anticipated, and an "Adopt-a-Patch" program has been discussed for managing knotweed in residential landscapes and urban areas.

This project will target purple loosestrife, which reached epidemic proportions in the past and was recently controlled by chemicals and insects, but is now spreading to previously uninfested areas within the CWMA. The Emery County Weed Department has destroyed old rootstock and is now working to destroy the seedbank by spraying the weeds during the short window of opportunity before they produce seeds. New, isolated patches in Carbon County must also be destroyed to halt loosestrife spread in that area. To attack the entire weed infestation, the CWMA will hire an additional seasonal employee for 45 days, and then inventory and spray the entire infestation in Carbon and Emery counties. We will use a proven method in which a non-selective herbicide is used during the first two years, followed by a broadleaf herbicide in the third year, allowing the native vegetation to return in the third and fourth year. Biocontrol insects will also be released. Our long-term goal, eradication of all purple loosestrife patches within the CWMA, is feasible since the seed seems to have a short-term viability in the soil and there is no nearby source for introduction of new plants. Vigilant inventory and spraying during the pre-seed stage could conceivably eradicate purple loosestrife within the boundaries of the Skyline CWMA.

As one of the major entrances to Death Valley National Park, this area is at high risk for new invasive weeds, with potential for spread into the Park. The WMA will rely heavily on education and community involvement to target Russian knapweed, broad-leaved peppergrass, tamarisk, and other minor infestations. Our integrated weed control plan includes biological, mechanical/cultural, and chemical methods. Weed control priorities will be established by local working groups, with schools and youth groups assisting with mapping and inventory, beginning in early fall. An annual plan of work will be completed in advance of fall herbicide application. The inventory phase of mapping will provide direction for appropriate revegetation. Because many infestations are small and confined, eradication is a realistic long-term goal. To preserve the few wetlands and riparian areas, we will strive for near-eradication of tamarisk and Russian olive. In a county lacking the financial resources for weed control and populated by residents with a history of rugged individualism, the voluntary CWMA process is well suited to our goals.

The Spring Creek Region CWMA includes the headwaters of several tributaries that drain into the extensive Humboldt River System, the largest watershed in Nevada. Its protection is vital to the ecological survival of this delicate high desert ecosystem. The SCRCWMA will coordinate weed control efforts along Humboldt River System tributaries, ponds, roads, and tribal, private, and public lands within the WMA. Targeted weeds include leafy spurge, perennial pepperweed, spotted and Russian knapweed, hoary cress, Scotch and Canada thistle, saltcedar, and dyer's woad. In the 12-month grant period, we will control or eradicate weeds by spraying, weekend weed pulls, and developing an aggressive education and awareness campaign. We will develop a strategic plan and annual operating plan for the entire SCRCWMA, and organize weed mapping/inventory workdays. Over the long-term, we intend to implement effective prevention and control methods at designated sites; develop weed management plans for selected recreational facilities; and continue to urge cooperation though sharing resources, labor, and equipment.

The Steve's Fork Weed Management Area was formed to protect the watershed by controlling established weed infestations and preventing new ones. Working on a watershed scale, the SFWMAC aims to reduce weed seed sources from the headwaters of the creek and its tributaries down toward its confluence with Big Dry Creek. Our long-term goal is to eradicate spotted knapweed and houndstongue from the watershed; reduce Canada thistle to manageable levels while curtailing its spread; and maintain an active prevention, detection, and response process for new infestations. In the next year, the SFWMAC will update its current GIS maps of the watershed; apply herbicide to at least 100 acres of Canada thistle, 3 acres of spotted knapweed, and 10 acres of houndstongue; and reseed with grasses to complement the herbicide efforts. To increase plant diversity in the Steve's Fork drainage, we plan to plant cottonwood trees and transplant willows in the higher moisture areas. We hope to set a precedent for weed control and prevention in Garfield County and other watersheds in the region.

Summary Final Report

Sunlight Basin and the Crandall area of northwestern Wyoming is one of the state's most scenic and pristine environments, with heavy recreational use and vehicle traffic. Previously uninfested trailheads, camping areas, riverbanks, highways, and forest roads are now infested with houndstongue, knapweed, oxeye daisy, common tansy, leafy spurge, toadflax, and other noxious weeds. The long-term goal of the SBCWMA is to prevent new species from establishing, eliminate those already present, and see an overall reduction of total infested acres. Mapping efforts will highlight potential invaders from adjacent areas. During the one-year grant period, the SBCWMA will complete a comprehensive weed inventory, particularly in the backcountry; chemically treat and monitor known infestations; create a GIS database; provide weed workshops and newsletters for residents and land managers; and hold a weed tour. By pooling available partnership resources and ignoring political boundaries, we hope to prevent, contain, reduce, suppress, and eradicate noxious weeds in the Sunlight Basin/Crandall Weed Management Area.

The Upper Arkansas River Weed Management Cooperative has been actively engaged in weed management since 1998. The current project concerns the Arkansas River watershed between Leadville and Pueblo, Colorado. Its goal is to implement new management strategies for tamarisk along the Arkansas River corridor and its tributaries through a partnership of counties, state parks, BLM, and private landowners. We will map previously unmapped tamarisk areas along the river, attempt eradication by spraying in a 30-mile stretch between Badger Creek and the Parkdale recreation area, begin biocontrol efforts on the river below Canon City, and educate landowners and mangers about dealing with tamarisk. Our long-term goals are to prevent the spread of tamarisk upstream along the river corridor by eliminating it upriver from Canon City while reducing the population between Canon City and Pueblo. Downstream from Pueblo the goal is to contain infestations, with reductions in some critical areas along water delivery systems.

The CWMA emphasizes county-wide education concerning yellow starthistle in the Wasatch Mountain foothills, with efforts to prevent its spread into the Uinta National Forest and downslope residential communities. The Weed Work Day plan combines weed treatment (pulling and bagging) with weed education (plant identification). An intensive chemical treatment program will be followed by a weed pull involving 50 to 80 volunteers. After the Weed Work Day, informational signs will be posted requesting notification to a CWMA contact if additional plants are found in the area. During the grant period, we will implement an integrated pest management plan on 5 or more acres of yellow starthistle with subsequent treatment of Dalmatian toadflax on the same area; undertake a pilot rehabilitation project to seed one acre back into native forbs and shrubs; and educate volunteers from many community groups about noxious weed issues, treatment, and safety procedures. Weed populations are still small enough that diligent treatment and persistent monitoring, we can achieve our long term goal of eradicating yellow starthistle from this area. Weed Work Day will be an ongoing project to increase public awareness while controlling noxious weeds.

Much of the unimproved private property in the proposed Wall Canyon WMA is held by absentee owners who may have little economic incentive toward weed control. The BLM has inventoried and monitored perennial pepperweed in representative locations at Wall Canyon Reservoir and Wall Creek, and the Wall Canyon WMA intends to promote a comprehensive, ecologically sound treatment and restoration strategy, beginning with the education and consent of contiguous property owners. We will mail an educational packet to property owners explaining the need to control or eradicate perennial pepperweed, and promoting a protective management strategy. Educational material will inform them of their legal obligations and enlist their cooperation with the BLM eradication and revegetation program. We will then schedule a meeting for local owners to plan our cooperative eradication and restoration strategy. The long-term goals of the project are to restore and maintain a healthy, diverse riparian ecosystem by promoting clear and open channels of communication between private property owners and public agencies, and to support protective management to prevent reinfestation by noxious species.

2002: 16 WMAs in 14 States

Adams | Butte | Cheyenne | Jackson Hole | Lake County | Little Blackfoot | Palouse | Rum River | Tonto | Upper Burnt River | Upper Skagit River | Utah-Idaho | Valencia | Walker River | Yellowstone-Missouri | Yolo

The ACWMA management plant is patterned closely after the Idaho Strategic Plan for noxious weed control.

CWMA members have identified and prioritized the noxious and invasive weeds in our area and proposed strategies for prevention, control/containment, eradication, rehabilitation, monitoring and mapping and education. CWMA members support an integrated plan that uses all available tools including mechanical, chemical, cultural, and biological methods.

At this time and on this site, chemical control is the best choice. There are no known biological controls for Mediterranean sage. Tordon(r)^TM and 2,4-D are the chemicals currently used. Last fall (2001), test plots using the herbicide Plateau(r)^TM were set up. If successful, this herbicide will be less harsh to native plants and shrubs, although a more expensive treatment.

Hand chopping continues to be useful around sensitive areas such as homes, cemeteries, trail corridors, and other areas where plant diversity is desired. Cooperators are encouraged to use proper management techniques including reseeding and other revegetation.

Butte County Weed Management Area
PI: Rob Hill
Oroville, CA

WMA Plan:

1. Determine best possible eradication methods, which will include consultation with state weed biologists, the pesticide industry, and pest control operators concerning the efficacy of herbicides and biocontrols currently in use for Parrot's Feather. Determination will include solicitations from state and industry concerning herbicide trial applications and projects. Herbicides evaluated will include Flouridone^TM and complexed copper. Biocontrol methods will be considered. Mechanical removal will also be employed in the eradication. NPDES permit requirements will be evaluated.
2. Identify affected properties through the county parcel database and conduct a community education and outreach in the area enlisting effected property owner participation. This effort will be developed through the established BCWMA infrastructure.
3. Complete a GPS and hand-mapping survey to determine extent of infestation in the survey area, which includes Berry Creek, Canyon Creek, Galen Creek, Wild Yankee Creek, Martin Creek, Lake Madrone, the communities of Berry Creek and Brush Creek, and the drainage areas into Lake Oroville. The GIS specialist and biologists from the Butte County Agriculture Commissioner will collect this data for the digital mapping database. Determine hydrologic characteristics for Lake Madrone watershed.
4. Based on research, consultation, and permit requirements establish a control and monitoring program and hire a certified applicator for the eradication. After an eradication method is selected, The BCWMA will provide project monitoring with the Butte County Agriculture Commissioner providing follow-up control measures, and conducting surveys for re-emergent plants.

Cheyenne River Project
PI: Gary Kruse
Hot Springs, SD

An integrated weed management plan for the Cheyenne River CWMA will include:

1. Developing an awareness and education campaign through mailings, landowner meetings and tours.
2. Developing an early detection and protection program by providing field identification information to land managers, establishing a central call-in number for new exotic species, and implementing a cost-share program for agencies and landowners.
3. Implementing a survey and mapping program using GIS technology.
4. Using chemical, biological, and mechanical methods of control. Biological methods may include insects, grazing, fire or a combination thereof.

Jackson Hole Weed Management Association
PI: Jim Gores
Jackson, WY

GPS and GIS technologies have already been used to determine the extent of the weed infestations and to plot weed control strategies.

Biocontrol agents have been and will be released into large, dense patches of spotted knapweed and Canada thistle in the Snake River corridor.

Chemical control has been and will be used to control weeds along the levee system and where it is deemed environmentally safe. Due to the ecology and soils within the project area, chemical control will comprise no more than 25% of the weed control effort.

Community weed pulls and mechanical control will be critical to this project on the Snake River flood plain and will be the preferred method over chemical control on much of the project area.

Revegetation and rehabilitation will occur immediately following any weed pulls or mechanical control, and along the levee system.

Public education is one of our primary goals and tools in this project. It is our hope that as the public becomes more aware of the noxious weed problem, unknown infestations will be detected earlier, thus saving control or eradication and money in the long run.

Lake Country Weed Management Area
PI: Tony Gallegos
Lakeport, CA

Through education and outreach activities coordinated at several levels, the general public and students in the public schools will become more aware of the issues related to noxious, invasive, non-native plants (weeds).

In coordination with our management efforts and field work we hope to make residents of the County of Lake (WMA) aware of our strategies and of the need for an organized response.

Goals:

1. To raise public awareness about the effects of invasive plants on lands, waters, wildlife, native vegetation, and agriculture.
2. Inform the public about existing Federal and State laws and regulations and the roles of various agencies in responding to invasive plant problems
3. Inform the public of the costs of invasive plants on our food prices, user fees, habitat quality, and biodiversity
4. Stimulate local awareness, interest in, and use of native plants.
5. Inform the public on the risks and benefits of control technologies proposed for use in their region
6. Sponsor weed round-up activities
7. Stimulate interest in restoration efforts
8. Encourage BMP's and invasive plant-prevention code of ethics

Little Blackfoot River Watershed Cooperative Weed Management Area
PI: Jason Smith, Powell County Weed Coordinator
Deer Lodge, MT

Our weed management area has outlined objectives in the following areas:

Education

1. Educate the landowners on the importance of noxious weed control and how noxious weeds impact them.
2. Teach landowners to identify the noxious weeds present in the Little Blackfoot Watershed.
3. Teach landowners how they can manage and control noxious weeds on their property.

These educational objectives will be accomplished through two town hall style meetings to be held in Avon and Elliston during May and June of 2002 and through two community weed pulls to be held during June-July 2002. During the two town hall meetings

• an overview of what noxious weeds are and what responsibilities each landowner has in controlling them will be presented
• a weed identification session using dry mounts and live noxious weeds will be conducted
• a brief presentation on the integrated methods that are successful for each weed species will be given
• a brief sprayer calibration demonstration will be conducted to show landowners how to properly apply herbicides
• a copy of Montana's Noxious Weeds–EB 159 will be given to each landowner at the meetings

The Little Blackfoot 4-H club will also pass out Montana's Noxious Weeds booklets and weed pull announcements door-to-door to all the residences of Avon and Elliston and invite them to participate in two community weed-pull days.

Prevention

1. One of the project's main goals is to contain the isolated patches of oxeye daisy, common tansy, sulfur cinquefoil, yellow toadflax, and Dalmatian toadflax and to prevent them from impacting the entire Little Blackfoot River watershed. Teaching the small and large landowners to identify these species and other potential new invaders is a project necessity. At the town hall meetings, landowners will also be educated on how to prevent introduction or the spread of noxious weeds.
2. The Powell County Weed Board is offering a rewards program to any individual who attends a weed ID meeting and finds new invading noxious weeds listed as Category 2 or Category 3 on the Montana State list. Dalmatian toadflax was added to the rewards program because of its limited extent in Powell County. The rewards program will also cost share up to 100% to control the new invaders. This prevention program will be emphasized in the town hall meetings.

Mapping

A majority of large landowners in the watershed inventoried all noxious weed species during the 2001 growing season. The inventory was entered into the Weed Board's GIS database. Additional mapping efforts will be promoted to get an approximate inventory and location of the isolated patches of oxeye daisy, sulfur cinquefoil, yellow toadflax, Dalmatian toadflax, and common tansy. In addition, if any new invaders listed under the Powell County Weed Board's rewards program are identified, the infestation will be GPS-located by weed board personnel.

Small landowners will be sent copies of digital orthophotos on which to map their noxious weeds during the 2002 growing season. The orthophotos will help them with accuracy in pinpointing isolated locations. The individual maps will be compiled into a Little Blackfoot Watershed GIS Weed Map, which will be used to educate landowners on what to be on the lookout for in their neighborhood. Mapping will also be used to measure the effectiveness of control measures.

Control

An integrated approach to control will be promoted, including the following five methods, where possible:

1. Bioreleases on yellow toadflax and spotted knapweed
2. Early season cattle grazing of spotted knapweed
3. Hand pulling or mowing of all species, with care given to not propagate though rhizomes or root stalk
4. Revegetation of areas within Avon and Elliston where spotted knapweed was pulled
5. Chemical control on isolated patches where eradication is possible.

The grant will be used purchase 420 Brachypterolus pulicarious yellow toadflax-destroying insects. The insects will be released in insect-favorable environmental conditions where chemical control may not be environmentally possible or effective. Insects for spotted knapweed will be released—as they are made available through the Montana Weed Control Associations Biological Committee—in the watershed to enhance current biorelease sites. The biorelease sites will be monitored on an annual basis by landowners or weed board personnel.

Grazing of young spotted knapweed rosettes by cattle has been effective in retarding growth. Many of the small ranchettes and all of the large landowners have cattle. During the town hall meetings, landowners will be educated about the pros and cons of early-season grazing of spotted knapweed. An emphasis will be to keep the rangeland in good health.

The Little Blackfoot 4-H Club will coordinate and lead two community spotted knapweed hand-pulling days, one in Avon and one in Elliston during June-July. Grass seed will be scattered on these areas. Landowners who attend the town hall meetings will be encouraged to pull or mow small patches of noxious weeds with adequate care given to those weeds that are rhizomatous. Revegetation or proper range management practices will be promoted to small landowners during the town hall meetings.

The large landowners participating in the Avon WMA have been receiving cost share funding from the Montana Noxious Weed Trust Fund. The maximum cost share for each participant is 50%. A portion of this grant request will be used to supply a 50% cost share on contracted application services and herbicides to the small landowners implementing chemicals on the isolated patches of the targeted noxious weeds. There are currently two small commercial applicators in Avon and Elliston. If landowners perform their own application, the Powell County Weed Board will provide application equipment to use for free. The Helena National Forest, Montana Department of Transportation, Powell County, and Montana Rail Link will implement chemical control measures along right-of-ways within the watershed. The Helena National Forest Service Ranger District also provides herbicide to the Helena Snowdrifters Club to control trails within the Little Blackfoot Watershed.

Palouse Cooperative Weed Management Area
PI: Suzanne Qualmann
Potlatch, ID

Tansy Ragwort populations will first be mapped using a GIS. Contractors will then spray the known plant locations. Any rosettes or bolting plants missed during the chemical treatment will be clipped to prevent seed production. In addition, we are in touch with George Markin of the Rocky Mountain Research Station, and are examining whether any natural biological control agents currently exist, or whether any should be released.

Funds are being used to treat Rush Skeletonweed before pond construction takes place.

By allowing these funds to be used for these priority weeds, we will also be able to use PCWMA funds for helping to better develop our long-term strategy. Specifically, we need to better define where we will be using chemicals to treat spotted knapweed, and where we want to use biological control agents (for example, on infestations further from roads and in more sensitive areas).

Rum River Watershed Cooperative Weed Management Area
PI: Lori (Weddle) Schott and Susan Twingstrom
Milaca, MN

Currently a baseline inventory is in place. Educational programming is being incorporated into other ag producer workshops and events dealing with the emerging issues of noxious weed management. Annual educational weed meetings are being held with township officers, land-use agencies, and elected officials. Biological control, mechanical, and chemical methods are in place. Mille Lacs County actively raises and harvests the Purple Loosestrife leaf-eating beetles for biological control. Leafy spurge beetles have been obtained from Colorado and released in over 10 sites throughout the WMA.

Future plans include:

• Utilization of GIS mapping, public education and awareness.
• More aggressive biocontrol
• Introduction of grazing methods utilizing sheep and goats to combat leafy spurge.
• Continued mapping and upgrading
• Technology utilization and area wide coordination with agencies will be cultivated.

Tonto Weed Management Area
PI: Shawn Evans
Young, AZ

The TWMA's management plan consists of the following:

• Develop a comprehensive weed map showing locations of all weed infestations on the Tonto Watershed.
• Educate children and adults on the various types of weeds in the area and what to do when they are located.
• Obtain adequate equipment, supplies, and staff/volunteers to eradicate noxious weed infestations in the watershed, or maintain acceptable levels
• Revegetate and/or rehabilitate treated areas.
• Evaluate annual progress towards the "War on Weeds" and document it on the map.

Upper Burnt River Weed Control District
PI: Patty Shumway
Bridgeport, OR

The mission statement for the weed district is: "Working cooperatively with others to promote and implement noxious weed control for better use of our natural resources, enhancement of economic values, and pride in the community." The weed district's management plan addresses two critical issues:

1. How do we control the noxious weed problem within the District?

• List and prioritize noxious weeds within the district
• Use county list of noxious weeds to set priorities
• Maintain current map of locations, size, and species of weeds
• Continue to be on the lookout for new invasion sites
• Promote education awareness
  • Conduct tours
  • Sponsor Weed Management workshops
  • Present "Be a Weed Warrior" to elementary students
  • Make presentation to FFA/VoAg students and have a field tour
  • Sponsor Hitch Hikin' Spike weed contest K-12 countywide
  • Maintain outdoor display at Unity Lake State Park
  • Promote one-on-one education
  • Sponsor countywide mural contest
• Develop a record-keeping system of spraying and/or biological applications
  • Develop & print record-keeping booklets
  • Distribute record-keeping booklets yearly
  • Keep patrons informed on the new Pesticide Use Reporting System

• Involve county, state, and federal agencies in coordinated planning
  • Board of directors will meet regularly with partners
  • Organize & facilitate planning for interagency cooperation in weed management (BLM & ODOT)
  • Assist with the statewide noxious weed curriculum project sponsored by BLM
• Promote and implement noxious weed control
  • Encourage landowners to attend private applicator license training
  • Organize & implement research & demonstration projects on noxious weeds with cooperating landowners
  • Investigate possible biological control opportunities
  • Cooperate with partners to establish and to continue monitoring test plots on local noxious weeds
  • Cooperate with landowners to revegetate land in order to compete with weeds that have been treated
  • Organize landowners to promote economical aerial and/or ground spraying

2. How does the weed control district obtain funds?

• Identify and seek out available grants
• Seek contributions and other sources
  • Send letter to patrons requesting donations
  • Work with state and county to develop new sources of funding
• Develop a budget

Upper Skagit River Watershed
PI: Peter Dunwiddie
Seattle, WA

2002 will be the second full year of this project. During the first year, we mapped knotweed infestations along much of the floodplain of the mainstem and primary tributaries, documented the size and character of infestations, and established a GIS to track this information. We have developed a protocol to prioritize inventory and control efforts based on the ecology of the species, modes of dispersal, severity of impact, nature of infestations, and feasibility of control. We have also developed measures to regularly assess and review the success of the program.

The second phase, to begin in 2002, will commence control efforts in priority areas using strategies that have been tested in other Pacific Northwest watersheds (J. Soll, pers. comm.). These include a combination of cutting with subsequent applications of Rodeo^TM. By the end of 2002, we intend to have treated over 50% of known infestations along the floodplains of the mainstem and major tributaries. We will concentrate first on eliminating infestations high in the watershed, isolated outliers, and infestations most likely to be readily dispersed to new locations. Later efforts will concentrate on infestations in areas more removed from the immediate river channel. Control efforts in future years will incorporate strategies that prove to be most successful in quickly and effectively eradicating infestations.

Utah-Idaho Cooperative Weed Management Association
PI: Joel Merritt
Logan, UT

Current control measures include the integrated pest management approach utilizing mechanical, chemical, and cultural methods. This project is adding to the mechanical and cultural control components, and educating area residents in recognizing the need to control dyer's woad.

We are paying youth to gather and bag actively growing dyer's woad plants. Individuals will be paid by weight per bag containing green dyer's woad. This project was extremely successful last year in the adjoining Highland CWMA to the east of our Utah-Idaho CWMA.

Valencia Weed Management Area
PI: Dale Jones
Belen, NM

This first goal of this year's CWMA plan is to set up four demonstration areas and research plots. The data obtained from separate research plots will be compiled into one report and will be available to the entire group of participants. Summaries of the findings will be distributed at agricultural dealerships.

The second goal of the CWMA is to generate a level of public awareness necessary to increase the amount of weed management done on private lands in the county. Awareness projects will be funded by participants of the CWMA. The grant will help ensure that technical support will continue to be available through cooperative extension services for landowners who become interested in weed management.

The third goal for the CWMA is to develop a noxious weed inventory for the county. Data gathering will be done with volunteer help through the VSWCD. Data analysis and compilation will be done by NMDA with assistance from MRGCD. Maps used for public display and education will be printed by the MRGCD. The existence of the weed inventory will aid in future monitoring efforts by participants.

The final component of the CWMA is to develop a rapid response program for treating infestations of weed species new to the county and less than five acres in size. The methods of treatment will depend on the species and location of infestation. This component is funded by our CWMA grant.

Walker River Basin Weed Management Area
PI: Kelly McGowan
Yerington, NV

Walker River Basin WMA's plan includes:

• Mail questionnaires to possible participants
• Coordinate round table discussions with all interested groups
• Establish committee(s)
• Establish goals, responsibilities, and performance agreements
• Create MOU's as needed
• Establish priority areas
• Coordinate mapping efforts
• Seek and attain funding from available sources for implementation of program
• Seek potential contractors, volunteers, etc.
• Develop best management practices to specific sites
• Promote biological control agents where desirable
• Create revegetation plan as a control agent
• Develop applications for each site (chemical, biological, or mechanical)
• Establish working annual budget
• Create adjustable time frames
• Submit annual or semi-annual newsletters to media
• Work with federal, state, county governments and private landowners to promote awareness to the residents and visitors to the area (transport, reporting, control, etc.)
• Produce visual aids at treated sites (before, after)
• Create (for public awareness) social, economic, and environmental data pertaining to the loss of native or desirable species.

Yellowstone-Missouri Saltcedar Management Working Group
PI: Ken Eraas
Bismarck, ND

The Yellowstone and Missouri River banks will be surveyed from the ground, plants marked using GPS, and all plants treated with Arsenal herbicide.

Public meetings will be held in both counties to make river users and adjacent landowners aware of the invasive and destructive nature of saltcedar and ask for assistance in reporting new infestations.

Full color posters will be developed for use at public areas, city, county, state, and federal offices, and public events. A full color, mailable, trifold brochure will be developed and printed to help create public awareness.

Yolo County Weed Management Area
PI: Jennifer Drewitz
Woodland, CA

The YCWMA uses an integrated approach in weed control and eradication. Herbicides, hand removal, mechanical removal, mowing, burning, grazing, mulching, biological control, and revegetation are all methods employed to various extents on a project by project basis. Some examples are described below:

Sloughs and canals: These waterways wind their way throughout much of the County. They are a major means of transport for weeds in the county and between counties. We will be conducting an inventory of weeds that occur along two specific sloughs in the Willow Slough Watershed. From this initial inventory, a strategy will be developed for weed reduction and riparian revegetation while working with the adjacent landowners. For example, if infestations of giant reed are detected along the slough, a large map will be developed illustrating all the detected populations. Incipient populations and populations at the top of the slough will be prioritized for removal. Removal will be planned and conducted using hand-cutting and stump treatment with herbicide. Follow up treatments would be planned for subsequent years along with revegetation using native species.

Roadsides: Our roadside weed control program includes the initial use of herbicides with integrated methods being employed as funding becomes available. County roads are treated with a non selective post emergent herbicide four times per year. If the roadside contains perennial pepperweed, yellow starthistle, or other state listed noxious weeds, alternative chemicals like Transline^TM and Telar^TM are used to more effectively treat these species. The avoidance of using herbicides with soil residual activity allows the Yolo County RCD to revegetate some of these weedy roadside locations with native perennial grasses. These sites may also undergo further weed control through the utilization of prescribed burning, mowing, and hand removal, while competitive natives become established. Additional benefits of revegetating with native grasses include increased native plant diversity, soil stabilization, increased wildlife habitat, and improved water quality. These roadside revegetation projects are often done with the cooperation and participation of local landowners.

Private landowners: The YCWMA works with landowners to encourage and find funding to support priority weed control efforts. Each infestation is assessed along with the control options available, the sensitivity of natural resources in the area, and the preferences of the landowner. Projects within the County include the use of herbicides, a combination of grazing and herbicides, grazing alone, mowing, burning, biological control, and revegetation.

Techniques and technologies that will be utilized include:

• A new state-of-the-art spray rig. This piece of equipment was recently purchased by the County Agricultural Commissioner's Office office for roadside weed control. This rig has many benefits over previously used spray equipment. It allows more precise mixing, less waste material, more accurate spraying, decreased spray time, and the ability to switch herbicides in a moment to apply more appropriate herbicides for a more effective treatment.
• GPS/GIS technology. We are requesting funding for a Geo Explorer III unit. This, used in combination with Arc View 3.2 GIS software, will provide us with excellent tools for map production, illustrating weed infestations, and efficient strategic planning of future weed control activities.
• State-of-the-art native grass seed drill by Truax^TM. This planter combines features of the traditional seed drill used in agriculture with slight modifications that allow the irregular seed of native perennial grasses to be uniformly distributed, covered with soil, and lightly pressed into the seed bed. This piece of equipment has and will continue to aide in our revegetation efforts at many locations where drill seeding is appropriate.

• Disseminating weed management and control information to the public, rural landowners, agencies, policy makers, and others.
• Conducting workshops that include weed identification and management techniques.
• Mapping infestation areas for specified weeds in Yolo County.
• Reducing transport of seeds or other plant parts capable of reproduction.
• Improving coordination and cooperation between all agencies involved with noxious and invasive weeds in Yolo County.
• Providing an infrastructure and facilitating research programs for weed management and eradication programs within the county.
• Promoting changes in land treatment that result in a reduction of weeds of concern to the YCWMA including revegetation and restoration.