Grant application to remove most of the Russian Olive trees in the Black Hole at Two Buttes in Baca County

[SeEttaM .]

I am asking for feedback about a grant application to remove most of the Russian Olive trees and all of the more sparse Tamarisk in the wildlife area east of the Two Buttes Dam in Baca County including the Black Hole area that is much coveted by birders.  I am in a position as a member of the executive committee of the Arkansas Basin Roundtable (we do water planning for the Arkansas Basin) to give feedback about this grant proposal and any potential deleterious impacts it may have on birds and other native species.  I expect that the timing of the vegetation removal is critical so please provide what time period you believe should be off-limits and why and especially any documentation to back up the need to not allow vegetation disturbance.   I am copying the grant proposal below.  I need the feedback by Sunday night so I have time to prepare for a meeting in which this will be discussed next Wednesday.

Thanks in advance.

SeEtta Moss

Canon City

http://BirdsAndNature.blogspot.com

<<"Estimated Completion Date:    June 30, 2018
Brief description of project:
    The Two Buttes Dam and Wildlife Area is listed on the State Register of Historic Places.  It is Colorado Parks & Wildlife property, with the Two Buttes Wildlife Area extending between cliffs below the dam.  Russian olive has taken over the understory of the wildlife area below the dam.  For this project and timeline, the goal of this project is to suppress the infestation of Russian olive to 10% - 20% of the understory from the current estimate of 30% to 40% of the existing understory with some dense pockets.  Some tamarisk is present, which we will eradicate.  A bare-dirt area above the Black Hole is eroding into the Black Hole.  Colorado Parks & Wildlife is currently using this area as part of a canal restoration project.  They intend to grade this area when they are done.  Native shrubs, and grasses will need to be planted near the top of the cliffs to prevent further erosion into the Black Hole.
Management Goals   
    This project seeks to improve water quality and quantity, improve wildlife habitat, and enhance recreational opportunity in the Two Buttes Reservoir and Wildlife Area through:
(1)  The eradication of tamarisk and suppression Russian olive from the 30 acres of wildlife area east of the Two Buttes Dam;
(2)  The introduction of different native species to the riparian ecosystem;
(3)  The suppression of erosion into the Black Hole;
(4)  The eradication of other List B and List C noxious weed species west of Two Buttes Dam.
Management Objectives   
    Suppress Russian olive understory from the current estimated 30% - 40% to 10% - 20% of understory area by June 2018.
    Eradicate tamarisk from wildlife area downstream from the dam to private land by June 2017.
    Reintroduce native willow cover in and around the Black Hole to help prevent tamarisk reestablishment by June 2018.
    Plant grass, and native shrubs above the west cliffs to suppress erosion into the Black Hole.  These erosion controls are to be completed by June 2018.
    Eradicate common mullein and other List B and List C weeds as agreed upon by CPW around Two Buttes Reservoir.
Integrated Pest Management   
Biological
    Planting grass and native shrubs above the west cliffs will help prevent invasive weed seeds from washing down into the Black Hole.
    Planting willows where tamarisk currently resides will prevent the high-light environment which allowed tamarisk to establish itself.
Mechanical
    A tractor with “jaws” will pull out small- to medium-sized Russian olive trees and mature tamarisk plants.
    Mulching may be necessary to economically dispose of the plant material.
    Department of Corrections manual labor may be used to pull small Russian olive saplings.
    Manual collection of common mullein seed heads will take place as plants mature or recover.
Chemical
    ‘Hack and squirt’ with aquatic-approved herbicide will be used to kill the large Russian olive trees.  Because the cottonwood canopy is well established, cut stump treatment could be used.  However, hack-and-squirt will kill the trees in place, reducing the risk of damaging the cottonwoods during removal of the Russian olives, and retaining the structure of the Russian olives for habitat use in the near future.
    Foliar spray will be used to control tamarisk recovery.
    Cut stump or foliar spray will be used on Russian olive undergrowth as it recovers from the biological and/or mechanical controls. 
    Spot (foliar) spraying will occur on List B and List C weeds found west of the dam.
Secondary/Subsequent Weed Control
    Quarterly control of new sprouts for tamarisk and Russian olive will take place.  This may be mechanical control (pull the sprouts) or chemical control (foliar spray).  Revegetation in the Black Hole area should occur passively as Russian olive undergrowth is diminished.  Revegetation in this area will be evaluated on each quarterly visit.  Above the Black Hole on the west side, revegetation is required due to the massive dirt-work done in the last few years.  The east edge (next to the cliffs on the west side of the Black Hole) will be planted with native shrubs and grass to prevent runoff into the Black Hole.  Willows will be planted where tamarisk was present to prevent the high-light environment that allowed tamarisk to establish itself.  Scouting and control of List weeds west of the dam will continue semiannually until June of 2018.

Long Term Monitoring and Maintenance   
    Monitoring of project effectiveness will continue at least annually after June 2018 as part of BCCD’s Weed Management Program.  However, due to the extensive nature of the infestation, the plan for this project is not eradication of Russian olive, but suppression.  In order to prevent re-infestation of Russian olive, eradication must be the long-term goal.  Therefore, BCCD anticipates the need for additional control beyond the scope of this project.  This will require more than annual monitoring.  We will continue the work of Russian olive control in the Two Buttes Wildlife Area beyond the time-frame of this project as needed, but only if CPW permission is granted.  CPW, at this time, doesn’t want eradication.  Getting CPW onboard with total eradication will require significant results from this project that may not be apparent for several years.
    An annual monitoring report, using the recommended monitoring protocols and datasheets, will be provided to the CWCB from BCCD during the years 2019 – 2024.">>>

[SeEttaM .]

Forward>>
Subject: Grant application to remove most of the Russian Olive trees in the Black Hole at Two Buttes in Baca County

I thought I could just provide summary info on this Russian Olive/Tamarisk removal project but in reviewing this I find some important info further down the application.  So anyone interested in this proposed project may want to review the rest of the info I am copying below.

SeEtta Moss

Canon City

<<Stakeholders
        Lead project sponsor:    Baca County Conservation District
        Project partners:    Colorado Parks & Wildlife
                    NRCS
                    Bent County Conservation District
History of Accomplishments
    BCCD partnered with Southeast Colorado Resource Conservation and Development, Colorado State Bank, Colorado Department of Agriculture, the International Center for Appropriate and Sustainable Technology, Southeast Colorado Power Association, Entegrity Wind Systems, Rocky Mountain Farmer’s Union, Baca County Farm Bureau, and McDonald Electric on a “Advancing Colorado’s Renewable Energy” (ACRE) grant which resulted in the first 50kw wind turbine on a farm in Colorado.  (Oct. 2009)
    BCCD awarded matching grants for shelterbelts to eight Baca County producers.  As part of this project, BCCD and NRCS staff planted a demonstration tree row along the north side of the US Forest Service building in Springfield.  The tree row demonstrated twenty different species appropriate for our area.  (Apr. 2009)
    BCCD partnered with landowners and NRCS on the EQIP Invasive Species Horse Creek Watershed project.  (Nov. 2008)
    BCCD partnered with landowners and NRCS on the EQIP Invasive Species Two Buttes Creek Watershed project. (Nov. 2007)
    BCCD awarded six area producers cost share funds to establish water development practices on CRP through the Colorado State Conservation Board’s Matching Grants program.  These water development practices help producers keep highly erodible soils in permanent vegetative cover.  (May 2008)
    BCCD received a High Plains Invasives grant to contain and eradicate dalmation toadflax, diffuse knapweed, Russian knapweed, spotted knapweed, and leafy spurge.  This grant enabled BCCD to eradicate narrow-leaf dalmation toadflax in Baca County and in Kim in neighboring Las Animas County.  (May 2008)
    BCCD, partnering with NRCS, has helped producers in Baca County plant thousands of trees, with BCCD coordinating assistance from all of our local FFA and 4-H Chapters.  (just in the last decade)
    Ten producers cooperated with BCCD to control and eradicate tamarisk and Scotch thistle on the Two Buttes Creek Watershed.  (Sep. 2007)
    BCCD was awarded funds from the US Forest Service to address List A & B noxious weeds on lands adjacent to Comanche National Grasslands in Baca County two years in a row.  (2007)
    On behalf of local producers, BCCD submitted a proposal to the state NRCS office for addressing tamarisk and Russian olive on the upper Two Buttes Creek watershed and Scotch thistle throughout Baca County.  The proposal resulted in cost share dollars made available to producers through NRCS’s EQIP program.  (Mar. 2007)
Partners’ Level of Support
    NRCS                technical support
    Colorado Parks & Wildlife    plant surveys and monitoring of project area
    Bent Co. Cons. Dist.        equipment
Relevant Information Sources
    Practices proposed in this grant are consistent with the practices set forth by Colorado State University, University of Denver, Colorado Department of Agriculture, and Denver Botanic Gardens in “Tamarisk BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES in COLORADO WATERSHEDS”.
    Included in this application is an “esri” map from the Tamarisk Coalition showing the yearly distribution of the tamarisk beetle from 2007–2014.  Onsite inspection of tamarisk in the area showed no tamarisk beetle activity as of October 2015.
Staffing
    BCCD estimates approximately 700 man-hours of work each year of this project.
    BCCD currently has one DCT and one Weed Technician.  Between them they can contribute 48 hours per week.  The equipment for pulling small trees and mulching will occupy our weed technician, which is included in the man-hours for each year of work listed above. 
    DCT is Royce Bursch, employed since 08/2014.  Weed Tech is Howard Wilson, employed since 08/2014.  First pages of their employment applications are attached.
    BCCD anticipates the need for extra manpower during the pulling, clearing, and planting.  We plan to recruit FFA and 4-H volunteers from our four local high schools to assist in these tasks.  Department of Corrections workers may be utilized as required.
    BCCD recognizes that this project will require more than one full-time member of the project team.  If this grant is awarded to us, we will hire an additional weed technician for the first year of this project.
    Resumes of the DCT and Weed Technician are included with this application.
Match
    BCCD will provide approximately $22,000 of in-kind match (administrative expense, weed tech & DCT pay).  NRCS will provide approximately $800 of in-kind match ($20/hr. for technical assistance).  BCCD will provide cash match of $12,500 in the form of equipment, PPE, supplies, soil testing, chemicals, Corrections labor, and other line items not yet identified.
Education
    Two Buttes Reservoir and Wildlife Area is one of two frequently visited recreational areas in the county.  We will publish status reports in the Plainsman Herald, our local newspaper, before project kick-off, as progress is made the first year, at completion of the first year, and after each follow-up treatment and survey.  Articles about the project will also be included in the BCCD quarterly newsletter.
Effectiveness
    This IPM plan incorporates biocontrol, chemical, and mechanical control.  It will begin with mechanical control.  With the excellent canopy of cottonwoods, pulling the Russian olive understory and tamarisk was chosen over cut-stump to minimize chemical usage and the subsequent damage it could cause to the cottonwoods.  Hack-and-squirt will be used on the largest Russian olives, leaving the tree structures available for nesting in the understory.  Where the cottonwoods are thickest, access will be an issue for mechanical control.  We will utilize volunteers or Corrections labor, following with mechanical control where possible and chemical control where mechanical control is not feasible. 
    Due to the excellent canopy of cottonwoods and the abundance of moisture in the area, most of the restoration will occur passively.  However, the dominant Russian olive population has excluded much of the native diversity.  So, some restoration will need to take place.  We will plant 25 Konza Fragrant Sumacs along the top of the south cliffs to suppress erosion into the Black Hole.  We will introduce 50 McKenzie Black Chokeberries, 25 Common Hackberries, and 10 Chokecherries into the understory.  We will do pole plantings of Willow trees wherever tamarisk has been removed.  This will assure that the high-light environment that allowed tamarisk to establish itself is no longer present in that location.  Soil and water testing will need to take place to determine feasibility of planting locations.
    Chemical control will be used in the second and third year of the project to control new sprouts of tamarisk and Russian olive.  It is anticipated that chemical control will need to be continued for several years after completion of this project due to the degree of Russian olive infestation that is currently present.  This action will only take place with CPW permission.
Project Budget and Schedule
    The Tamarisk Coalition “Riparian Restoration Cost Calculator” was used to calculate the total expense of the project.  All figures are approximate and do not include the Department of Corrections labor, the expense of which is not included in the cost calculator.  Soil testing also does not appear to be included in the cost calculator.
Multi-objective Aspects
    This project involves riparian re-vegetation, habitat improvement, and water quality and quantity.  Russian olive in the wildlife area have diminished plant diversity in the area.  Removal will allow native plants to reestablish in the area.  We will assist this passive recovery with the active introduction of Konza Fragrant Sumacs, McKenzie Black Chokeberries, Common Hackberries, Chokecherries, and willow trees.  The removal of the Russian olives will also improve wildlife access to the area.  The Russian olives currently have a thick underbrush monoculture that restricts both wildlife and human access.  The removal of tamarisk next to the Black Hole and around Two Buttes Creek will improve soil and water quality by decreasing salinity.  The removal of the vast Russian olive population should decrease water usage around the Black Hole, improving water flow downstream.
    Beyond those aspects mentioned above, this project will enable the cottonwoods to maintain their canopy in this riparian environment.  Cottonwoods cannot sprout in total shade but Russian olive can.  This means that, given current conditions, there will be no new cottonwoods in the future.  This project will save the cottonwood canopy and should carry it several years into the future.







Scope of Work
GRANTEE:            Baca County Conservation District
PRIMARY CONTACT:    Howard Wilson
ADDRESS:            P.O. Box 398
                Springfield, CO  81073
PHONE:            719.523.6251
PROJECT NAME:        BCCD IPCP 2016
GRANT AMOUNT:        $83,500
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

    This project seeks to improve water quality and quantity, improve wildlife habitat, and enhance recreational opportunity in the Two Buttes Reservoir and Wildlife Area through:

(1)  The removal of tamarisk and Russian olive from the 30 acres of wildlife area east of the Two Buttes Dam;

(2)  The introduction of different native species to the riparian ecosystem;
(3)  The suppression of erosion into the Black Hole;

(4)  Eradication of List weeds around Two Buttes Reservoir.
OBJECTIVES
    Suppress Russian olive understory from current 70% - 80% to 10% - 20% of understory area by June 2018.
    Eradicate tamarisk from wildlife area downstream from the dam to the property line by June 2017.

    Reintroduce native willow cover in and around the Black Hole to help prevent tamarisk reestablishment by June 2018.

    Plant grass and native shrubs above the west cliffs to suppress erosion into the Black Hole.  These erosion controls are to be completed by June 2018.
TASKS
TASK 1 – Soil and Water Testing
Description of Task
    Collect water sample and soil samples from the Two Buttes Wildlife Area.  Test for depth of water table.
Method/Procedure
    Collect water sample from the Black Hole.  Starting near the dam and focusing on areas where restorative planting will occur, take one soil sample approximately every 600 feet.  Also, take one soil sample from above the south cliff.  Utilize techniques detailed in “How to sample soil” in the reference “Best Management Practices for Revegetation after Tamarisk Removal”.  Use soil auger to determine water table depth above south cliff.  Send water and soil samples to the CSU lab for testing.
Deliverable
    Testing results will be used to verify the selection of plants listed in the plan.  Selections of plants for the project may need to be changed based on the results of the testing.  Results of the tests will give us a baseline of the soil and water characteristics as they exist at the beginning of the project.   
TASK 2 – Plant Survey
Description of Task
    Determine plant diversity in project site.  Determine percentages of cover for existing plants on the project site.
Method/Procedure
    Colorado Parks & Wildlife biologist will use best practices to conduct surveys in and around the project area.
Deliverable
    Survey results will be used to verify the selection and/or number of plants listed in the plan.  Selections and numbers of plants for the project may need to be changed based on the results of the survey.  Results of the survey will give us a baseline of the vegetation cover at the beginning of the project.   
TASK 3 – Pull Tamarisks and Russian Olives
Description of Task
    Pull tamarisks and all Russian olives that can be pulled mechanically.
Method/Procedure
    Utilizing equipment leased from Bent County Conservation District, pull all tamarisks and Russian olives that are accessible and of manageable size.  Utilizing the same equipment but a different attachment, mulch the debris.  Depending on the weather and/or CPW guidance, either burn the mulch or haul it away.
Deliverable
    Invasive will be suppressed and access will be improved for wildlife.  Understory will begin passive recovery.  Plant diversity should begin to increase.  Access should now be improved for the subsequent tasks of the project.
TASK 4 – Remove Tamarisks and Russian Olives Not Accessible in Task 2
Description of Task
    Clear the remaining tamarisks and Russian olives that were not accessible by machine.
Method/Procedure
    Utilizing Department of Corrections labor, clear the inaccessible areas within a week if possible.
Deliverable
    Russian olives will be suppressed and access will be improved for wildlife.  More water will be available for native plants and wildlife.  Understory will begin passive recovery.  Plant diversity should begin to increase.  Access should now be improved for the subsequent tasks of the project.
TASK 5 – Chemically Control Remaining Russian Olive Trees
Description of Task
    Apply chemical control to remaining Russian olive trees.
Method/Procedure
    Utilizing the “hack-and-squirt” technique, apply undiluted Pathfinder II to     the large Russian olive trees.  Using foliar spray, apply Imazapyr as a 1% solution with 1% MSO to any remaining tamarisks or Russian olives.
Deliverable
    Russian olives will be suppressed and access will be improved for wildlife.  More water will be available for native plants and wildlife. 
TASK 6 – Check Viability of Restoration Plans
Description of Task
    Collect water sample and soil samples from the Two Buttes Wildlife Area.  Test for depth of water table.
Method/Procedure
    Collect water sample from the Black Hole.  Starting near the dam and focusing on areas where restorative planting will occur, take one soil sample approximately every 600 feet.  Also, take one soil sample from above the south cliff.  Utilize techniques detailed in “How to sample soil” in the reference “Best Management Practices for Revegetation after Tamarisk Removal”.  Use soil auger to determine water table depth above south cliff.  Send water and soil samples to the CSU lab for testing.
    Compare results with prior testing.  Make adjustments to plant selections as the soil and moisture conditions dictate.
Deliverable
    Testing results will be used to verify the selection of plants listed in the plan.  Selections of plants for the project may need to be changed based on the results of the testing.  Results of the tests will give us a picture of the soil and water characteristics as they exist after the first season of the project.
TASK 7 – Restoration
Description of Task
    Plant Konza Fragrant Sumacs, McKenzie Black Chokeberries or Common Hackberries or Chokecherries ,and willow trees. 
Method/Procedure
    Plant 25 Konza Fragrant Sumacs (Rhus aromatic serotina) 2-3’ seedlings above the south cliffs (third year).  Plant 50 McKenzie Black Chokeberries (Aronia melanocarpa) 18-24” (first year), plant 25 Common Hackberries (Celtis occidentalis) 2-3’ (second year), and plant 10 Chokecherries (Prunus virginiana) 3-4’ (third year) seedlings in the larger clearings that we created under the cottonwoods while clearing the Russian olives.  Plant willow poles scavenged from existing local willow trees to water table depth in all locations where tamarisk was found in the wildlife area.
Deliverable
    Russian olives will be suppressed and diversity will be improved for wildlife.  Tamarisk recovery will be suppressed by willow tree shade.  Forage for wildlife will be improved by the sumacs, chokeberries, hackberries, and chokecherries.  Erosion will be suppressed by the sumacs.  The chokeberries, hackberries, and chokecherries will add aesthetic appeal/enhancement by adding white flowers, red and purple fruit, and varied fall color to the understory.
TASK 8 – Secondary/Subsequent Weed Control
Description of Task
    Apply chemical control to tamarisk and Russian olive sprouts.
Method/Procedure
    This procedure should occur quarterly through the second year of the project and semiannually thereafter.  Using foliar spray, apply Imazapyr as a 1% solution with 1% MSO to any new tamarisk or Russian olive sprouts.
Deliverable
    Russian olives will be suppressed and access will be improved for wildlife.  More water will be available for native plants and wildlife.  Tamarisk will be eradicated from the Two Buttes Reservoir and Wildlife Area.
Budget & Timeline Table
Task    Description    Target Start Date    Target Completion Date    CWCB Funds    Other Funding Cash    Other Funding In-Kind    Total
1    Soil and Water Testing    2/1/16    2/28/16    $5,500    $0    $0    $5,500
2    Plant survey    3/1/16    3/31/16    $0    $9,500    $0    $9,500
3    Pull Tamarisks and Russian Olives    3/1/16    3/31/16    $8,000    $0    $0    $8,000
    4    Remove Tamarisks and Russian Olives Not Accessible in Task 2    4/1/16    4/29/16    $8,000    $0    $0    $8,000
5    Chemically Control Remaining Russian Olive Trees    9/1/16    9/30/16    $2,000    $0    $3,382    $5,382
6    Check Viability of Restoration Plans    10/3/16    10/31/16    $0    $1,000    $0    $1,000
7    Restoration    4/3/17    4/28/17    $7,500    $0    $3,072    $10,572
3    Pull Tamarisks and Russian Olives    3/1/17    3/31/17    $8,000    $0    $0    $8,000
    4    Remove Tamarisks and Russian Olives Not Accessible in Task 2    4/1/17    4/29/17    $8,000    $0    $0    $8,000
5    Chemically Control Remaining Russian Olive Trees    9/1/17    9/30/17    $2,000    $0    $3,382    $5,382
6    Check Viability of Restoration Plans    10/3/17    10/31/17    $0    $1,000    $0    $1,000
7    Restoration    4/3/18    4/28/18    $6,500    $1,000    $3,072    $10,572
3    Pull Tamarisks and Russian Olives    3/1/18    3/31/18    $8,000    $0    $5,980    $13,980
    4    Remove Tamarisks and Russian Olives Not Accessible in Task 2    4/1/18    4/29/18    $8,000    $0    $0    $8,000
8    Secondary/Subsequent Weed Control    12/1/16    6/30/18    $12,000        $0    $12,000
    Total            $83,500.00    $12,500.00    $18,888.00    $114,888.00

[Polly Reetz]

Se Etta -

   The CPW probably knows about this, but:  the US Fish and Wildlife Service has delineated the breeding bird season as April 1 - July 15.  This is a time that nesting is most likely, and under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act disturbing or destroying the nests, eggs and young of migratory birds is illegal.  So the restoration work ought to avoid that breeding bird season, 4/1 to 7/15, unless there are extenuating circumstances.