2022-35-012c-20076

Project abstract

Project Location

The location of this project is located in Central Wheeler County, Oregon and encompasses the Twickenham and Richmond areas.

Project Need

Severe drought and little snow pack have increased the prominent issue of invasive weeds throughout Wheeler County. Range land and riparian health are one of the biggest issues facing landowners. The loss of native vegetation due to the encroachment of noxious weeds species has greatly impacted native upland and riparian plant communities. The declining native plant communities have a detrimental effect on watersheds throughout Wheeler County.

Proposed Project Work

This project seeks to reduce the negative impacts of state listed "A" & "B" priority noxious weeds species by treating 420 net acres, and 14,450 total gross acres of “T" listed weed species on private lands that are adjacent to public roads and highways by using chemical control methods. This target species for this grant are Russian Knapweed, Spotted Knapweed, Diffuse Knapweed, Canada Thistle, Scotch Thistle, and Whitetop. Work will include surveying 37,670 acres in the two areas, recording weed species and area of treatment, and working with landowners and contractors to get the best results of weed treatment. This plan will build off of previously funded grants (Wheeler, Jefferson, Crook County Noxious Weeds Phase I and Phase II, and Wheeler County Priority Noxious Weeds & Emergency Phase II) to eliminate priority noxious weed species on private property from Southern to Central Wheeler County. Our long-term goal is to incorporate the entire District in the effort to control noxious weed, as well as build a community of involved, educated, and active landowners.

Project Partners

Partners include Wheeler SWCD, Grant SWCD, Crook County Weed Master, Wheeler County Road Department, Oregon Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Land Management, and private landowners.