USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Colorado joined forces with the Montezuma County Noxious Weed Department (MCNWD) to help ag landowners in Montezuma County remove Russian Olive and Saltcedar (aka Tamarisk) weeds through USDA's Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). Ag landowners within the project area (see maps below), with property that has been approved for enrollment into the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and who have farm records with USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA), are encouraged to apply for RCPP assistance by December 1, 2022.
"Both, Russian Olive and Saltcedar are non-native and invasive species and are on the Colorado Noxious Weed List B," said Clint Evans, NRCS State Conservationist in Colorado. "The listing designates them as harmful to the environment and require control and suppression on all lands within the State." Both have high water consumption abilities and are also referred to as phreatophytes.
Through RCPP, NRCS will reimburse landowners on a per acre basis to remove and restore land that has been taken over by these species. In order to complete an RCPP Phreatophyte Project application, properties must be designated as agricultural. They must also have farm records established with the FSA and be registered through EQIP. EQIP is NRCS’ flagship conservation program which helps farmers, ranchers and forest landowners integrate conservation into working lands. After a property's RCPP application is accepted, it will undergo a cultural and wildlife survey to ensure no damages to any historic artifacts will occur and no harm will come to any bird nests.
Once the surveys are complete, MCNWD will collect data on tree density and acres needing treatment. A management plan will then be developed. Once all the preliminary planning is complete and approved, the landowner will be responsible for hiring a contractor to carry out the management plan by removing the phreatophytes as well as conducting follow up sprout treatments. Landowners are also responsible for paying the contractor. Once the contractor is paid, the landowner can request reimbursement. Reimbursement rates will be determined and discussed prior to any management taking place.
For more information about the Montezuma County RCPP Phreatophyte project, please contact Bonnie Loving, Director of Montezuma County Noxious Weed Department at 970-565-0580 or (bloving@co.montezuma.co.us). Email is preferred.
For more information about RCPP, EQIP and other NRCS programs, opportunities, and benefits, please visit www.co.nrcs.usda.gov.
Original source can be found here.
