The Twin Valley Weed Management Area (TVWMA) continues to be involved in controlling invasive and noxious vegetation in the Republican River Basin from Cambridge to the Kansas Nebraska line, and the Little Blue River Basin from Kearney County to Thayer County.
Last years projects started with meetings with Congressman Osborne and his staff to address noxious and invasive species in the Republican River Basin. Congressman Osborne and TVWMA members felt that control of invading vegetation on the Republican River, its tributaries, and Harlan Dam would help our water situation in the state. It also would address our water agreement with Kansas. The consumptive species of concern were Salt Cedar, Phragmities, and Russian Olive. Congressman Osborne identified federal and state grant funding sources for TVWMA. TVWMA didn’t receive one large grant, but was successful at receiving three other grants.
In August grant monies and additional funds from the Army Corp of Engineers totaling $125,000 were used to treat 640 acres of Salt Cedar on Harlan County Dam. These acres were sprayed by a helicopter contracted by TVWMA. Additional acres were sprayed by TVWMA weed control superintendents on the dam, and on the Republican River.
This year TVWMA meet with Senator Tom Carlson addressing the same water issues that have a considerable economic impact on his district and the state. As a result of this meeting and others Senator Carlson submitted LB 458 as his priority bill to the Nebraska State Legislature. TVWMA and Nebraska Weed Control Association testified before the Natural Resources Committee in favor of the bill. The bill has been amended and combined with LB 701 to create a comprehensive bill on state water policy with emphasis on fully appropriated and over appropriated areas. Part of this bill recognizes the importance of controlling noxious and invasive vegetation as part of the answer to Nebraska’s water problems. Invasive and native vegetation now occupy much of the Republican River bed, inhibiting stream flow by consumptive water use and excessive sedimentation. The bill if passed has an emergency clause to distribute funds yet this year. TVWMA is now in the process of completing all necessary preparations to utilize state funds for treatment and removal of vegetation from the Republican River stream bed.
TVWMA has also been working with the Republican River Riparian Partnership Project. This project involves 7 RC&Ds including partners from Colorado, Kansas, southwest, and south central Nebraska. This group is going to apply for a federal grant to restore the entire Republican River Basin back to a healthy riparian system.
Other work to be preformed this year involves more scouting and treatment of invasives on the Little Blue River Basin.
TVWMA is working towards improvement in it’s riparian areas for the benefit of all Nebraskan’s.
Chairman Bruce Rumsey
