In September 2010, the MRWC launched an Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System (EDDMapS) program for invasive species reporting and mapping in the six MRWC headwater states (Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming). The MRWC's customized EDDMapS was developed by the Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health (CISEH) at the University of Georgia. The system provides a means for quickly and easily reporting sightings of select invasive species, as well as mechanisms to alert appropriate individuals to the reports and generate distribution maps.

The MRWC–EDDMapS focuses on species that are new or potentially new invaders to the Coalition states. These reports will form the database for all invasive species within the six states, rather than historical or current distribution data. At present, the system focuses on a specific list of invasive plant species identified by each state. Additional species and distribution data may be added subsequently.

One of the Coalition's initial goals for management was to increase cooperation on mapping efforts. Over a period of 18 months, Kelly Sharp (MidDakota Vegetation Management) assisted the Coalition with the creation of a Current Extent of the Problem map that includes major rivers, key reservoirs, state boundaries, and estimated distribution of saltcedar by county. Kelly developed a data-entry sheet and a web-accessible downloading system which documents state, county, and estimated saltcedar acreage, or 0 for absent, or -1 for no data.

The state of Colorado joined this project in late 2007. Getting counties to share their updated data, and thus allowing for the completion of the map, has been a slow process. In response, CIPM began assisting with the coordination of MRWC mapping efforts in 2008.

The MRWC's Mapping Workgroup met in conjunction with the fall 2008 MRWC meeting in Billings, MT with two outcomes: (1) CIPM contracted with JHS, Inc. of Helena, MT to complete Montana’s saltcedar mapping effort; and (2) CIPM was to work closely with Kelly Sharp and JHS, Inc. to complete the six-state saltcedar map for MRWC outreach purposes and publications.

CIPM (MSU) signed a contract with the JHS, Inc. in October 2009 to conduct the Yellowstone River Corridor Imagery Project. The project will demonstrate the usefulness of non-georeferenced imagery for digitizing infestations of saltcedar and Russian olive. The project will be accomplished by taking vertical pictures from a twin engine aircraft with a 21-megapixel camera along both shores of the Yellowstone, Bighorn, and Tongue rivers (a total of 1,500 river miles). The individual pictures will then be post-processed to be linked with a corresponding point layer in ESRI’s ArcView GIS software to show the location where each picture was taken. County weed control personnel will receive training from the Contractor on how to digitize infestations on their computer.

In June 2009, MRWC members supported the development of a MRWC Saltcedar Control and Restoration Projects Database to be hosted by the CIPM. CIPM hired Jessie Wiese, a recent MSU graduate, in fall 2009 to establish the database. Project tasks include:

• Coordinating with individuals from within the six-state region (CO, MT, NE, ND, SD, and WY), including state weed coordinators, county weed supervisors, conservation district representatives, academics, the Tamarisk Coalition and others.
• Collecting information regarding saltcedar presence and absence, saltcedar treatment areas, biological treatment releases, methods used, restoration actions, costs associated, monitoring of treated sites, and treatment successes and failures.
• Working closely with CIPM’s database developer to compile information into a web-based database that is accessible and searchable by a diverse group of interested users.
• Developing training materials for use of the database.
• Presenting project progress updates and performing database training at MRWC semi-annual meetings.