HomeMy WebLinkAbout20123506.tiff RESOLUTION
RE: APPROVE GRANT APPLICATION FOR TAMARISK AND RUSSIAN OLIVE TREE
ERADICATION ON THE ST. VRAIN RIVER IN WELD COUNTY - COLORADO WATER
CONSERVATION BOARD
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, pursuant to
Colorado statute and the Weld County Home Rule Charter, is vested with the authority of
administering the affairs of Weld County, Colorado, and
WHEREAS, the Board has been presented with a Grant Application for Tamarisk and
Russian Olive Tree Eradication on the St. Vrain River in Weld County from the County of Weld,
State of Colorado, by and through the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, on
behalf of the Department of Public Works, Weed Division, to the Colorado Water Conservation
Board, with terms and conditions being as stated in said application, and
WHEREAS, after review, the Board deems it advisable to approve said application, a
copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of
Weld County, Colorado, that the Grant Application for Tamarisk and Russian Olive Tree
Eradication on the St. Vrain River in Weld County from the County of Weld, State of Colorado,
by and through the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, on behalf of the
Department of Public Works, Weed Division, to the Colorado Water Conservation Board be, and
hereby is, approved.
The above and foregoing Resolution was, on motion duly made and seconded, adopted
by the following vote on the 12th day of December, A.D., 2012.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
WELD COUNTY, COLORADO
O'NAM ATTEST: w bkrna "vPad 617
Sean P. C y, Chair
Weld County Clerk to the Board
dt m . Garcia, Frio-Tem
BY: dicta
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APPRQVED AS TO FOR ..C-4,t C
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Date of signature: I\O dUl
CC 'lua, rma 2012-3506
I' IS EG0066
1861 MEMORANDUM
TO: Board of County Commissioners
DATE: December 10, 2012
COUNTY FROM: Tina Booton, Weed Division Supervisor
SUBJECT: Russian Olive and Tamarisk Eradication Along
the St. Vrain River Grant Submisison
Weld County Weed Division will be requesting grant funds from the Colorado Water
Conservation Board (CWCB) for Russian olive and tamarisk eradication along the St.
Vrain River. The amount being requested is for $35,000.
Through this project Weld County Weed Division will be working with 26 landowner's
bordering the St. Vrain River. Along with the eradication of the Russian olive and
tamarisk trees, List A and Watch list species will be mapped.
Partners in the grant project with their matching funds include:
Weld County supervision of the project, chemical, travel, speaking etc. $10,000
Weld County seasonal staff for 3 months $ 9,200
City of Longmont removal on their property $ 4,000
Five days of tree removal —Weld County Youth Conservation Corps $ 5,500
96 hours of volunteer time — Friends of St. Vrain State Park $ 2,000
St. Vrain State Park tree removal on their property $ 2,000
Plant materials and printing educational material — Longmont CD $ 2,000
Technical help — Boulder County NRCS $ 1,500
Float the river to map — Dawson School Canoe and Kayak Team $ 7,600
Educational booths — Weld County Master Gardeners $ 1,000
Designing handouts and posters — Confluent Design $ 1,500
Two days of tree removal by 303 Tree Inc $10,000
Total Match Secured: $56,300
This project will be carried out in the calendar year of 2013. Six weeks and three days of
Russian olive and tamarisk eradication will be conducted along with a number of
educational activities and flyers.
The intent of this item is for authorization to submit the grant application. I'm available
to answer any questions you may have.
2012-3506
Colorado Water Conservation Board
Invasive Phreatophyte Control Program
Project Summary Sheet
Name of Project: Tamarisk and Russian Olive Tree Eradication on the St. Vrain River in Weld
County
Name of Applicant: Weld County Weed Division
Applicant Federal Employer ID# (FEIN): 84-6000813
Applicant Eligibility Type: County Government
Contact information: Tina Booton, Weed Division Supervisor; tbooton@co.weld.co.us
970-304-6496 ext. 3770
PO Box 758; Greeley, CO 80632
Cooperating Partners: Longmont Conservation District; Weld County Youth Conservation
Corps; City of Longmont; St Vrain State Park; Friends of St. Vrain State Park; Boulder County
NRCS; Dawson School; Weld County Master Gardeners; 303 Tree Inc.; City of Firestone; Weld
County Weed Division
Project Location:
County(ies): Weld County
Watersheds: St. Vrain River and South Platte River
Nearest Community(ies): Longmont, Firestone, Mead and Frederick
Grant Request Amount: $35,000 (1.6:1 ratio)
Cash Match Funding: $2,000
In-Kind Match Funding: $54,300
Acres Treated: 120 acres
Total Number of Acres: Approximately 10,000 to be scouted and mapped.
Approximate % of Acres Private Land: 96%
Approximate % of Acres Federal Land: 0%
Approximate % of Acres State Land: 1%
Approximate % of Acres Other Land (City and County): 2%
Approximate % of Acres Other Land (Public Service of CO):1%
Estimated Completion Date: December 31, 2013
Brief Project Description: Tamarisk and Russian olive eradication using cut-stump treatments
along the St. Vrain River starting at Weld County Road 1 and going approximately 13 linear
miles to the confluence with the South Platte River at the intersection of CR 40 and CR 21.
See Photos in the Attachment.
Colorado Water Conservation Board
Invasive Phreatophyte Control Program
Application Form
Basic Application Criteria
In 2010, the counties of Denver, Adams, Boulder, Larimer, Logan, Morgan, Sedgwick,
Washington and Weld along with various entities within each county entered into the South
Platte River Watershed Management Area Agreement and created the Platte Invasives
Endeavor Plan or PIE Plan. This plan can be referenced at www.weldweeds.orq. The PIE Plan
outlines the need for control of the phreatophyte species within the overall South Platte
Watershed including the smaller drainages, such as the St. Vrain River. The plan also covers
the best management practices that will be used to treat tamarisk and Russian olive trees based
on the Tamarisk Coalition's recommendations.
The partners agreed to and outlined, in the PIE Plan, that the tributaries would be addressed
first before the main channel of the South Platte River. This would provide the ability to have a
strong support system in place for the removal of the Russian olive and tamarisk trees in
smaller, more manageable stretches within each of the counties before the South Platte River
was addressed. This would also provide up-stream partners the chance to address the Russian
olive and tamarisk trees along the initial routes of the South Platte River. Then the work could
start working in an easterly direction on the main channel. Lastly, there would be less
reinfestation of the South Platte River if the tributaries are free of Russian olive and tamarisk
trees before work was begun on the middle stretches of the South Platte River.
Along the St. Vrain River, there are sporadic infestations of tamarisk near the river. These
become more prevalent around inactive gravel pits. There have been good results in controlling
some areas of the tamarisk trees by educating private landowners and continued efforts by
county weed staff to be sure the landowners are addressing the problem. By continuing the
education process and providing removal assistance it is possible to have the tamarisk trees
eradicated in the next 10 years. This will be done primarily by using the cut stump method of
treatment.
Russian olive trees are more widespread along the St. Vrain River and mixed in with desirable
vegetation. The presence of the trees usually occurs at an elevation of approximately 6500 feet
and lower, therefore the higher elevations of the St. Vrain River drainage do not have these
trees. Russian olive removal along these areas will be a long-term task with light to heavy
infestations along the drainages. Many of the Russian olive trees are on privately held
properties, which require educating landowners on the importance of removal and offering
financial incentives to remove the trees.
Therefore, the best strategy to remove Russian olive trees along the riparian areas of the
drainages is to work closely with municipalities and governmental agencies, to demonstrate to
private landowners the positive impact on the environment the removal of Russian olive trees
has. Eradicating Russian olive trees from the St. Vrain River will require a cut stump treatment
to achieve effective control of this species. This practice will also have the least impact on the
surrounding native vegetation and wildlife.
An integrated pest management (IPM) plan will be utilized in the removal of the invasive
phreatophyte trees. There are no biological control options for Russian olive trees; however, if
an option existed it would be utilized. The biological control option for tamarisk trees is available.
However, the number of tamarisk trees that exist along the St. Vrain River is not a large enough
population to sustain the beetle. Also, the beetle does not do well at the longitude and latitude of
the St. Vrain River.
A purely mechanical option is not the best choice for treatment. The removal of the invasive
phreatophyte trees with a backhoe or other large piece of equipment, used in mechanic
methods, disturbs the most soil surface and opens up the ecosystem to other weed problems
and erosion that can deposit sediment into the river.
Consequently, the best control method to utilize is a cut-stump treatment. In the cut stump
treatment process the trees are limbed with the tree trunks cut as close to the soil surface as
possible. Chemical will be applied to the cut stump within a minute of the final cut being made.
The cut material will be chipped and a resource to utilize the chips will be pursued.
One of three chemicals - Rodeo, Habitat or Garton 3A-will be used to kill the remaining root
system of the Russian olive and tamarisk trees. All of these chemicals have an aquatic label for
use up to and at the edge of water. The chemical used will be determined by the site. Most sites
will be treated with Garton 3A. However, for sites that are the most sensitive or slated for
revegetation work, Rodeo will be used. Habitat will be used on the sites that are difficult to
access, which limits the amount of re-treatments that can be done.
Any secondary noxious weeds that are detected throughout the active project and monitoring
phase of the grant will be controlled by the landowners. This will be handled through the normal
Weld County Weed Division Code Compliance program that is based on the State Noxious
Weed Law. As the Weed Division Supervisor makes the inspections to check on the progress of
the project, any other noxious weeds identified will be addressed with the landowner and terms
arranged to bring the property into compliance.
Each site where Russian olive and tamarisk trees are removed will be evaluated for the amount
of restoration and revegetation that is needed. This work will be done by the Boulder County
NRCS staff. Sites that have a good amount of native riparian plants already established and the
invasive phreatophytes in limited numbers will receive passive revegetation. Sites with high
numbers of the invasive phreatophytes will have supplemental revegetation efforts
implemented. This will be done with grass seeding and tree plantings provided by the partners
in the project. These partners include Longmont Conservation District and Friends of St. Vrain
State Park.
Long-term monitoring will continue twice a year for five years after the completion of the grant-
funded project. During this time, inspections will be made to determine that there is no re-growth
of the treated invasive phreatophyte trees, that secondary noxious weeds have not invaded, and
that any restoration activities are filling in and establishing. If there is a failure of any one of
these items, follow-up will be scheduled and implemented in a timely manner. The inspections
will be done by the Weld County Weed Division Supervisor. Reports will be filed with the
Colorado Water Conservation Board and the partners of the project. Additional meetings may
be scheduled with the partners as needed.
Organizational Capability
3.1 - The lead project sponsor is the Weld County Weed Division. Tina Booton, the Weed
Division Supervisor, will oversee the project in general and coordinate all of the various aspects
of the project. The Weld County Youth Conservation Corps (WCYCC) will do the majority of the
cut stump and chipping work to treat the Russian olive and tamarisk trees in the project area.
The WCYCC will work for a total of six weeks; five paid for and one volunteered. 303 Tree Inc.
will work on a couple of the larger sites treating the phreatophytes and chipping the material for
a total of three days; two volunteered and one paid. The City of Longmont will treat the Russian
olive and tamarisk trees on their properties in the project area. The St Vrain State Park will treat
the Russian olive and tamarisk trees on their properties along the St. Vrain River. Friends of St.
Vrain State Park will volunteer time to coordinate the revegetation projects.
The Dawson School Canoe and Kayak Team will float the St. Vrain River to provide a detailed
map of the infestations. The Longmont Conservation District will provide some tree seedlings
and grass seed for the revegetation project. They will also help with the educational program
materials. The Weld County Master Gardeners will handle the educational component of the
project with booths at local farmers markets in Longmont and Frederick; and other opportunities
as they arise. Boulder County NRCS will provide technical advice as needed. Confluent Design
will do the design of the educational materials which includes brochures and posters.
3.2 - In 2003, a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant was secured for the South Platte
River Watershed which included a small portion of the St. Vrain River. The majority of the grant
was spent along the South Platte River. Partners in that grant included Longmont Conservation
District, City of Longmont, St. Vrain State Park and Weld County, along with a number of private
landowners. During the project noxious weed removal was the first priority, followed by
revegetation, with phreatophyte tree removal conducted on a few properties. The project was
completed successfully by meeting the goals outlined in the grant application.
Since 2000, noxious weed compliance has been carried out in the St. Vrain River's Watershed
and all of Weld County. All landowners are in compliance with terrestrial noxious weeds. This
program is conducted through Weld County Weed Division.
3.3 -This plan is being developed using the Platte Invasives Endeavor Plan (PIE Plan) that was
approved by the Colorado Department of Agriculture in 2010. This plan includes an overall
analysis and plan for the entire South Platte Watershed. The plan is then broken down into the
tributaries and their watersheds. Outlined in the plan are phreatophyte control options, riparian
condition assessments, endangered species studies, and riparian restoration plans.
3.4 - The Weld County Weed Division Supervisor, Tina Booton, will handle the major
coordination and oversight during the project. She has a master's degree in agriculture with an
emphasis in adult education and has worked with landowners in Weld County since 2000. Tina
has been the supervisor of the department since 2005. One full-time, three month seasonal
employee will be dedicated to the program during the summer season of the grant to coordinate
the activities. This staff member will be from the Weld County Weed Division and hired in May.
The employee will most likely be a college student focusing on a natural resources or weed
science major.
The volunteer group, Friends of St. Vrain State Park will organize the revegetation projects.
They have 43 members and have been doing like work at the St. Vrain State Park since their
formation in 2006. 303 Tree Inc is a local business that specializes in a light mechanical
approach, with tracked skid-steers, to invasive tree eradication. They will work primarily on the
larger tracts of properties where the equipment can maneuver, while more effectively covering
the parcels.
The majority of the work including cut stump treatments and chipping will be done by the Weld
County Youth Conservation Corps. This group operates an AmeriCorps program that works with
youth ages 18 —24. Some of the youth have legal troubles in their lives. Now, all of the staff is
working toward higher levels of schooling. The youth are extensively trained in the use of hand
tools and chainsaws.
3.5 -The following activities are sponsored and conducted by the partner of the project. All
activities are supplied as in-kind matches or cash contributions. All funding is promised.
Weld County supervision of the project, chemical, travel, speaking etc. $10,000
Weld County seasonal staff for 3 months $ 9,200
City of Longmont removal on their property $ 4,000
Five days of tree removal —Weld County Youth Conservation Corps $ 5,500
96 hours of volunteer time — Friends of St. Vrain State Park $ 2,000
St. Vrain State Park tree removal on their property $ 2,000
Plant materials and printing educational material — Longmont CD $ 2,000
Technical help — Boulder County NRCS $ 1,500
Float the river to map— Dawson School Canoe and Kayak Team $ 7,600
Educational booths—Weld County Master Gardeners $ 1,000
Designing handouts and posters— Confluent Design $ 1,500
Two days of tree removal by 303 Tree Inc $10,000
Total Match Secured: $56,300
3.6 - The project includes an educational component to increase awareness of the invasive
phreatophyte issues. These activities include speaking at local homeowners associations, meet-
up groups, Young Farmers Groups, shooting associations, and other civic organizations within
the project area. There will be a booth at the local farmers markets, in Longmont and Frederick,
at least three times to promote the project and offer education about the phreatophyte issues
and other noxious weeds. Press releases will be developed and submitted to local media outlets
in the project area. Handouts including flyers, brochures, and posters will be created and
distributed to local businesses, and residents within the project area.
Effectiveness of Project
4.1 -The best treatment option for removing the invasive phreatophyte trees, while disturbing
the least amount of ground, is the cut stump treatment and chipping the removed woody
material. This provides the least amount of disturbance, keeping other secondary weeds from
moving in by protecting what grasses and other native forbs are in the area. Using the
appropriate chemical and timing with the cut stump treatment also provides the best root
control. This limits the amount of re-growth that has to be addressed at a later date. To date
there are no bio-control options for Russian olive trees. The bio-control option for tamarisk has
limited success this far north. In addition, the area is also not heavily enough infested to support
the release of these insects. Removing the trees with equipment like a back hoe creates a
greater disturbed area that opens the ground for secondary weeds to infest along with increased
erosion.
There are limited sites where the Russian olive or tamarisk trees are growing in solid
infestations. Where these areas do occur, a complete revegetation plan will be implemented to
address the chance for re-infestation. The revegetation efforts will establish more readily due to
the fact that there is less disturbance during the cut stump treatments. Native grasses and tree
seedlings will be the plant material of choice. Monthly monitoring will be done in these highly-
sensitive sites to verify that other weeds and invasive phreatophyte trees do not move into the
recently cleared area.
However, the majority of the Russian olive and tamarisk tree infestations are intermixed with
native grasses and other trees, including willows and cottonwoods. By carefully removing the
Russian olive and tamarisk trees one at a time, Weld County can better guarantee that much of
the existing native vegetation is left undisturbed. This creates an advantage for the area to re-
vegetate naturally. Utilizing the existing vegetation is a more reliable alternative than having to
start from seed and young seedlings.
4.2 - The project budget and schedule are realistic. Working near to the water's edge will require
an NPDES general permit, which Weld County already has for other spraying work that is done
within the County. Otherwise, no additional permits will be required. The landowners along the
St. Vrain River have already been identified. There are thirty different landowners along the St.
Vrain River; three of which are grant partners. A letter was sent to them in 2012 about the
mapping portion that is planned with this grant. All of the questions from this piece were filtered
in 2012, making the process much easier in 2013.
The project timeline allows ample time to create the educational pieces, speak at the various
organizations within the project area, and participate in local farmers markets throughout the
summer. There is also a four-month window for removing the Russian olive and tamarisk trees.
This large window will allow flexibility in the schedule and the ability to account for weather
issues, such as rain or flooding from upstream runoff. The project partners will also have time to
identify any degraded sites that need revegetation and be able to implement a plan.
4.3 - There are several multi-objective aspects to this project. The first is riparian revegetation.
By removing the invasive phreatophyte trees, the grant partners will be able to see what the
underlying vegetation is and make a determination as to how much work is needed to return the
area to a more native situation. By ensuring a healthy ecosystem of native riparian vegetation,
the grant partners will be able to stabilize the shoreline with vegetation and better compete
against other noxious weeds.
The second half of this is habitat improvement. By addressing the invasive phreatophytes, the
grant partners will be able to return the riparian corridor to a more natural state that encourages
and supports wildlife in the area. Lastly this project will help enhance recreational opportunities
in a number of ways. There will be an increase in wildlife numbers for viewing. There will
potentially be an increase in water flows for enhanced fishing and kayaking opportunities, as
well as creating easier access to the river's shoreline at public access points.
Boulder County has been working in the upper portion of this watershed to remove Russian
olive and tamarisk trees for a number of years. Boulder County has made a great effort on its
open space, conservation easement properties and some private lands. This limits the potential
of reinfestation in the upper waters of the St. Vrain Watershed to the lower waters of the river in
Weld County. The City of Longmont has also spent a number of years working on their open
space lands by removing Russian olive trees and planting native species to enhance the quality
of the environment under their control. St. Vrain State Park has implemented an aggressive
integrated noxious weed management plan that is a major component of the park's resource
stewardship plan. As a result, St. Vrain State Park has been making major headway in
enhancing the state park lands with native vegetation and removing the invasive phreatophytes
for visitor enjoyment and wildlife habitat. Lastly, Weld County government has been working at
removing the invasive phreatophyte trees in their gravel pit that is along the St. Vrain River and
working with a future development property on the north side of the river to address their
tamarisk in the open spaces that have been plotted along the St. Vrain River.
Scope of Work
GRANTEE and FISCAL AGENT: Weld County Weed Division
PRIMARY CONTACT: Tina Booton, tbooton(cD.co.weld.co.us
ADDRESS: PO Box 758; Greeley, CO 80632
PHONE: 970-304-6496 ext. 3770
PROJECT NAME: Tamarisk and Russian Olive Tree Eradication on the St. Vrain River in Weld
County
GRANT AMOUNT: $35,000
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND: This Russian olive and tamarisk tree removal project is
a continuation of the work that has been done in Boulder County. The combined effort enhances
the St. Vrain River Watershed, which is a tributary to the South Platte River and part of the
overall watershed. By removing the Russian olive and tamarisk trees, native vegetation or at
least a higher quality of vegetation, can establish creating improved wildlife habitat, better water
quality, and access to the river's banks for recreation.
Work began on this stretch of the St. Vrain River in 2003 and 2004 with a grant from the
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. This grant aided in some Russian olive and tamarisk
eradication; however, most of the work focused on removing other terrestrial noxious weeds and
reseeding with native grass species. This continuation of effort will support the work that was
begun and continue to improve the overall value of the watershed.
OBJECTIVES:
1. Removal of the Russian olive and tamarisk trees from the properties that border the St.
Vrain River within Weld County's thirteen-mile stretch.
2. Mapping of the St. Vrain River in the project area to provide a complete picture as to the
vegetation and other stabilization materials on the shoreline of the river.
3. Establish native vegetation on any of the sites that need help in recovering from the
infestations once removed.
4. Create educational posters and brochures to distribute to local landowners and
businesses in the project area.
5. Speak at five homeowner's association meetings and other civic organizations about the
Russian olive and tamarisk tree project along with all noxious weeds.
6. Have a booth present at the local farmers' markets at least three times throughout the
project duration.
TASK 1: Russian Olive and Tamarisk Tree Removal
Description: Using the Weld County Youth Conservation Corps and 303 Tree Inc., Russian olive
and tamarisk trees will be cut down, the stumps treated with a chemical, and the cut material
chipped. The Weld County Weed Division will supply the chemical for the project. The chipped
material will be left on-site for the landowner's use or removed as requested by the landowner.
Method/Procedure: The trees will be cut down with either chainsaws or tracked skid steers
equipped with grapples and shear attachments. All material will be chipped on-site. The chips
will be left in a pile for the landowner to utilize, distributed in a thin layer to decompose on site or
removed based on the landowners' needs. The chemical used in the cut stump treatments will
be labeled for aquatic sites, and will be Habitat, Garton 3A, or Rodeo. The proper timing and
rates will be utilized.
Deliverable: All of this work will take place from June 15, 2013 through October 15, 2013.
TASK 2: Mapping the St. Vrain River
Description: The Dawson School Canoe and Kayak Team, along with the Weld County Weed
Division and Boulder County NRCS, will float the St. Vrain River to map the invasive species
that are within the flood plain of the river. The mapping will focus on Russian olive and tamarisk
trees, as well as any other List A and Watch List species that are migrating into Weld County.
TASK 3: Establish Native Vegetation
Description: The Friends of St. Vrain State Park, the Longmont Conservation District, and the
Boulder County NRCS will help in determining which sites need assistance with revegetation of
native plant materials to limit erosion and offer competition against other noxious weeds. The
materials to be used include tree seedlings of cottonwood, willow, service berry and other native
shrubs, along with a native grass mix for the area.
TASK 4: Create Educational Posters and Brochures
Description: Confluent Design, along with the Weld County seasonal employee will design the
content and layout of these items. The Longmont Conservation District and Weld County Weed
Division will share the cost of printing. Volunteers will help distribute the posters and brochures.
TASK 5: Speaking at Various Groups
Description: The Weld County Weed Division Supervisor will seek out at least five speaking
opportunities to promote the project and raise awareness of the impact of invasive species,
especially the Russian olive and tamarisk trees.
TASK 6: Booth at Local Farmers' Markets
Description: An educational booth manned by the Weld County Master Gardeners will be at
local farmers' markets at least three times during the length of the project. Booth volunteers will
promote the project, distribute brochures, answer questions, and pass on information they
receive about the location of other noxious weeds to the Weld County Weed Division.
Reporting and Final Deliverable
Reporting: The Weld County Weed Division will submit a report every six months from the start
of the contract. The report will detail all work conducted during the timeframe and if any
problems have occurred. After the completion of the project and the final report, yearly reports
will be supplied for the following five years during the maintenance phase of the project.
Final Deliverable: At the completion of the grant project, the Weld County Weed Division will
submit a final report, including pictures and educational materials created during the project, to
document the project and what was accomplished.
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