For the next five years, Montezuma County agricultural landowners can be reimbursed on a per-acre basis for the removal and restoration of land affected by Russian olives and salt cedars – also known as tamarisk – according to a press release.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service will compensate landowners after the species — both known as phreatophytes for the way they use deep-rooted systems to absorb moisture from water tables – are eliminated. The Montezuma County Noxious Weed Department entered into a five-year partnership with the NRCS and Regional Conservation Partnership Program to support the eradication of the two non-native, invasive species, the release said.
Both species are recorded on the Colorado Noxious Weed List B. The plants threaten native species, strain water reserves and disturb nutrient cycling, according to the Colorado Department of Agriculture.
To be considered eligible, properties must be registered with the Farm Service Agency and Environment Quality and Incentives Program, the release said.
Once a property has those established farm records, landowners can fill out the Regional Conservation Partnership Program Phreatophyte Project Application, which can be accessed at bit.ly/PhreatophyteApp or in the Cortez NRCS Field Office.
Dec. 3 is the deadline for registration for 2022.
After an application is submitted, land will undergo a cultural and wildlife survey to ensure no bird nests or or historical artifacts would be damaged in the removal process. The Montezuma County Noxious Weed Department will then develop a phreatophyte management plan based on tree density and number of acres needing to be serviced, the release said.
Landowners will then hire a contractor to remove the invasive species and conduct follow-up sprout treatments, and can submit for reimbursement through the NRCS.
Payback amount will be arranged before contractors proceed with removal services, the release said.
For more information or questions, contact Bonnie Loving, Montezuma County Noxious Weed Department director, at 970-565-0580 or bloving@co.montezuma.co.us.
