Twin Valley Weed Management Area
Eastern Republican & Little Blue Riparian Improvement Project
(20/21-01)
Total Dollars Requested: $100,000.00
Total Dollars Funded: $100,000.00
The highly successful Eastern Republican & Little Blue Riparian Improvement Project continues ongoing efforts to eradicate invasive species, control vegetation in stream channels, and improve riparian habitat along the Republican & Little Blue Rivers and their tributaries within six of the Twin Valley Weed Management Area (TVWMA) counties. Control efforts are conducted in a holistic manner, utilizing a full range of mechanical, biological and chemical tools. TVWMA has undertaken this project over recent years to improve stream flow along the Republican & Little Blue Rivers to help enable Nebraska to meet its water delivery obligations to Kansas, to restore and maintain into the future a healthy river system and prevent wasteful degradation of water resources, and to increase public awareness of the best practices that can be used to properly manage riparian lands.
High Plains Weed Management Association
North Platte River Invasive Species Project (Phase 3) (20/21-02)
Total Dollars Requested: $55,000.00
Total Dollars Funded: $0.00
High Plains Weed Management Association, through the oversight of Panhandle R C & D in the last four years has removed more than 4,000 acres of Russian Olive, Phragmities and Salt Cedar in watersheds along 123 miles along the North Platte River and 9 miles along the South Platte River. The program has been a partnership between High Plains Weed Management, the NRCS and the USDA. The program has also worked alongside the weed superintendents of seven counties, Sioux, Scotts Bluff, Cheyenne, Kimball, Morrill, Deuel and Garden. The funding received for this program was designated to only remove the three weeds mentioned above. In the previous funding that has been utilized to remove the weeds mentioned above, there was not funding included to remove common mullein. An award that was received in 2019 from the Cabela’s/Bass Pro Shops Outdoor Fund to treat common mullein. The program that was set up as a result of this funding has been very successful and well received by landowners. This program was set up to allow $1,000 for each landowner to assist with the cost of removal of common mullein. At the submission of this application, there have been a total of 11 applications accepted for removal. There are another 4 pending applications. The landowners who have had their application accepted and those with pending application feel that the $1,000 will be used and then some. Because of this success this funding will run out and further funding will be needed to continue this successful program to remove the common mullein which been declared noxious weeds in these counties.
Southwest Weed Management
Eastern Republican River Basin Riparian Habitat Improvement Project (20/21-03)
Total Dollars Requested: $70,000.00
Total Dollars Funded: $70,000.00
The Western Republican River Basin Riparian Habitat Improvement Project goals are to eradicate invasive species, remove undesirable vegetation from the river and creek channels and improve water quality and native habitat along riparian corridors. These efforts will include the Republican River, Medicine Creek, Frenchman and other tributaries in the western Republican River basin. Best management practices and landowner input will be evaluated to determine methods of control and eradication within the seven-county area comprising SWWM. Aerial spraying of the Republican River and Medicine Creek for phragmites and mechanical removal of cedar and Russian olive trees will be the focus resulting in improved riparian zone habitat, restored natural habitat and improve water quality and flow assisting in Nebraska maintaining compliance with the Republican River Compact. Spraying of Medicine Creek to control phragmites will be completed as a joint effort between Southwest Weed Management and Twin Valley Weed Management Area. We will hold public meetings, advertise our website, and develop brochures to increase public awareness.
Platte Valley Weed Management Area
Invasive Plant Species Control along the Central Platte River (20/21-04)
Total Dollars Requested: $207,000.00
Total Dollars Funded: $207,000.00
During the draught years of 2000-2006 invasive species infested and formed thick monocultures within the Platte River of central Nebraska reducing flow conveyance, reducing wildlife habitat, increasing water consumption by invasive vegetation and reducing the ability of irrigators to divert Platte river flows. With the thousands of acres of infestation, lack of defined ownership and herbicide restrictions/need of specialized vehicles for application landowners cannot effectively control the invasive vegetation. Platte Valley and partners have collaborated on this issue since 2008 and have shown great steps but yearly maintenance and expansion of control on remaining acres is needed along with implementing cost share program to private landowners. Along with direct control by WMA a cost-share program is being implemented to assist landowners to control invasive species within riparian zones. WMA’s will implement and Early Detection and Rapid Response approach on new invasive plant species being detected along the Platte River.
Lower Platte Weed Management Area
Flowing Tributary Management Project (20/21-05)
Total Dollars Requested: $43,542.00
Total Dollars Funded: $0.00
The priority this year for the LPWMA is to incorporate comprehensive control of Noxious and invasive species on the Elkhorn River tributary, Oak and Salt Creek tributary to reduce the establishment of this species and to prevent the establishment of permanent sandbars downstream. The LPWMA is seeking funding to complete airboat survey and control work in the Platte River as well as funds to survey the Holmes Creek and Haines Branch of Salt Creek in Lancaster County. This requested funding is only a portion of the project as the Weed Management Area will complete a helicopter invasive plant survey of the lower Platte River main channel in July 2020 as well as a survey of tributaries in Lancaster County. Landowners and the Natural Resource Districts will again cost-share application work in the main channel of the Platte River. The LPWMA is seeking funding for application work on Platte River tributaries only. The LPWMA requests funding for its annual insurance policies; the WMA will provide all other administrative fees including dues income for hosting monthly meetings and maintaining equipment. Additionally, the LPWMA plans to replace and update informational kiosk signs at public riparian locations within the LPWMA. NDA funds will provide funding for the printing of these materials for the kiosks.
