State by State

We would like to highlight current restoration projects in our newsletter. If you are conducting or participating in tamarisk or Russian olive restoration project in your state, please email Stacy Kolegas at skolegas@tamariskcoalition.org.

Colorado

Dolores River Restoration Partnership (DRRP)

Background: The Dolores River flows for more than 200 miles through southwestern Colorado to its confluence with the Colorado River in Utah. While a myriad of factors affect the Dolores River, the invasion of tamarisk is of particular interest due to its extensive growth patterns which can displace native vegetation, impair wildlife habitat, and affect the health and sustainability of these vegetative communities.
The Dolores River – Riparian Action Plan (DR-RAP) was developed by stakeholders to help manage tamarisk on the Dolores River. DR-RAP uses technical resources and scientific studies to create a science driven foundation to this collaborative effort. The restoration work is conducted by youth conservation corps, contractors and volunteers.

Scope: Restoration efforts are planned to occur on 2,050 riparian acres of the Dolores River from McPhee Dam to the confluence with the Colorado River (175 miles) by 2014 at a projected cost of $3.7M.

Visit the DRRP website for up to date news and information!

Download the short version of DR-RAP by clicking HERE

Please contact the Tamarisk Coalition office if you would like to receive a copy of the full DR-RAP

Arkansas River Watershed Invasive Plant Plan - ARKWIPP

ARKWIPP was founded with the mission to offer landowners and land managers reliable information regarding this problem and viable ways in which to join the control; and restoration process in the Arkansas River Basin.

Colorado Headwaters Invasives Partnership - CHIP

In September 2005 a partnership formed to develop a strategic plan for the Colorado River’s riparian areas impacted by non-native invasive trees, principally tamarisk (Tamarix spp., aka salt cedar) and Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia). This partnership, known as the Colorado Headwaters Invasives Partnership (CHIP), was initiated in Garfield County through the leadership of the Colorado River Water Conservation District and The Nature Conservancy.

In response to this progressive leadership the eight counties in the Gunnison/Uncompaghre and Dolores Watersheds began preparing their own woody invasive species watershed restoration plans patterned after the work performed on the Colorado River plan. These headwater initiatives are complemented by the planning efforts of the Southeastern Utah Tamarisk Partnership downstream on the Colorado River. State and federal agencies, local communities, private landowners, industry, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have cooperated to draft these plans. The Tamarisk Coalition provided the staff to assemble the plan.

CHIPs vision is an overall Colorado River watershed restored as a thriving and diverse riparian ecosystem containing minimal infestations of non-native invasive species.

Tackling Tamarisk on the Purgatoire - TTP

In 2003, a partnership formed to develop a strategic plan for the Purgatoire River’s riparian areas impacted by non-native invasive trees, principally tamarisk (Tamarix spp., aka salt cedar) and Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia). This partnership, known as Tackling Tamarisk on the Purgatoire, was initiated through the leadership of the Colorado State Forest Service and The Nature Conservancy. These combined efforts have involved state and federal agencies, local communities, private landowners, industry, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The Tamarisk Coalition provided the staff to assemble the plan.

This progressive leadership compliments the efforts of counties in the Gunnison/Uncompaghre, Dolores, Arkansas and Colorado River Watersheds that prepared their own woody invasive species watershed restoration plans in 2007.

Utah

Southeastern Utah Tamarisk Partnership (SEUTP)

In March 2006 a partnership was formed to plan collaborative riparian restoration efforts in Southeastern Utah’s Colorado River Watershed. Much of this area is heavily infested by non-native, invasive vegetation, principally tamarisk (Tamarix spp., aka salt cedar) and Russian olive (Elaeagnus augustifolia).

The partnership, known as Southeast Utah Tamarisk Partnership (SEUTP), is composed of agencies, organizations, businesses, non-profits, and individuals who live and work near or on the Colorado River in southeastern Utah. SEUTP is based in Utah’s Grand and San Juan Counties with focus on restoration activities for lands managed by state and federal agencies, local communities, private landowners, industry, and non-governmental organizations. SEUTP’s mission is: The Partnership is committed to restoring, protecting, and maintaining a healthy riparian ecosystem in our Colorado River watershed.

An active group holding monthly meetings in Moab, Utah, SEUTP has wasted no time in making great strides towards the goals outlined in their strategic management plan. The group has identified 21 desired projects for 2008 that are in various stages of action and 7 projects to initiate in 2009.