aerial herbicide treatment of tamarisk in restoration

Crews from Arizona State Land Development/Department of Corrections (ASLD/DOC) and the Student Conservation Association (SCA) Invasive Plant Team began herbicide application on Cibola Fire Restoration.  Prior to the herbicide application, a representative from BASF Chemical Company arrived to explain the control properties the selected herbicide has on tamarisk and demonstrated the proper application technique to both crews.   

A grant through the North American Wetlands Conservation Council (NAWCC) and BASF to restore the meanders on Unit III was initiated with a commercial contract to control tamarisk within the restoration locations.  Cottonwood/willow replanting activities will begin in some locations this winter to early spring. 

A contract to control 500 acres of salt cedar within the Cibola Fire Restoration area with an aerial application was completed in early October. 

A total of 640 acres of tamarisk has been treated with herbicide since early October in the Cibola Fire Restoration site and Unit III.  The treated vegetation must be undisturbed for two years due to the herbicide's properties to properly destroy the plants.  Mechanical removal will be used prior to re-vegetation of native flora in the tamarisk control sites. 

SCA Invasive Plant Team began herbicide activities in early October.  Including herbicide applications on the Cibola Fire Restoration site, the SCA have controlled 45 acres of tamarisk on Cibola NWR.   The SCA Invasive Plant Team are preparing to coordinate five acres of cottonwood/willow replanting in late December with Biological Technician Barnett.