The Weiser River Corridor Project began in 2003 with the introduction of goats to the banks of the pristine Weiser River.  Leafy spurge populations have been increasing along the corridor for many years.  This plant often times invades at waters edge or in the flood plain making herbicide treatments extremely difficult.  Many private landowners and public land managers have struggled with the growing population of leafy spurge infestations for many years.  However there is no silver bullet. 

The Washington County Weed Advisory Board had a vision to somehow bring this silent invader in check and do so in a cooperative manner.  Prescriptive grazing has become extremely popular leaving no long term environmental effects.  It was determined with careful planning and management the goal of containment could be achieved. 

Bonnie Davis, Washington County Weed Superintendent serves as the Project Coordinator for this project.  Since this project covers nearly the entire Weiser River watershed within Washington County it was determined Bonnie would be the best person to shoulder this responsibility.  If you have questions you may contact her by calling the Weed Department.

WEISER RIVER CORRIDOR PURGE THE SPURGE PROJECT

The objective of this intense grazing plan is to reduce seed production while stressing leafy spurge plants ultimately reducing the dense stands, which infect the banks of the pristine Weiser River.  1,500 nannies with kids at their side will be used to speed up this concentrated grazing program.  Nannies graze approximately 70 miles (both sides) of the river corridor covering 10,000 acres of deeded and public lands.  The contractor that Washington County has been working with has changed his kidding program so that nannies now begin kidding mid-February, which enables them to hit the ground running in late April if necessary. 

This project includes extensive biological releases of hundreds of thousands of Apthona in addition to Oberea insects.  Project cooperators travel to Montana each summer to collect biological insects which are released along the corridor. 

This article was taken from the Washington County Weed Warriors, December 15, 2004 issue.

Looking back at progress on the Weiser River Corridor “Purge the Spurge” Project

By Bonnie Davis, Washington County Weed Superintendent

          The nannies are long gone, and winter has officially arrived.  The Weiser River Corridor “Purge the Spurge Project” is winding down for the year at last.

          This past year the nannies arrived 23 days earlier than in 03’, yet the dreaded leafy spurge was still ahead of us.  Luckily, the same goats returned so we didn’t have to wait for them to acquire the taste of this noxious weed.  Their memory served them well and they sought it out as soon as they got off the truck.  Seeing the buds clipped off these plants before seed set makes this an extremely worthwhile effort.  As usual, excitement was in the air while the girls were working the banks of the Weiser River, but it was soon gone and many soon forgot the project once the goats departed.  However, the project is far from over.

          The goats spent a total of 146 days in Washington County this year.  Over 1200 nannies ate their way through more than 2400 acres in one pass (1100 acres on the east side and 1200 acres on the west side).  What is unique is the goats grazed numerous areas twice and some areas three times.  Last year, only the west side of the river was grazed.  This year, adding the east side of the river created some interesting challenges including: determining landownership, gaining access, and getting the goats across the river.

          Private landowners, user groups, agencies and others spent hundreds of hours assisting with this project.  Without the dedication of these cooperators this project would not be possible.  Numerous landowners, who were somewhat reluctant in the past, enlisted in the battle this year.  Once they saw the nannies passing up succulent grasses for leafy spurge they were supportive of this containment effort.

          In mid-November, 13+ volunteers converged on the west side of the river to do reclamation work and make herbicide applications.  They worked diligently for a two-day period through rain, fog, and at times below freezing temperatures.  They seeded an estimated 100 acres, and sprayed 60.  Our thanks go out to BLM, Idaho Power, Idaho Department of Lands and the Friends of the Weiser River Trail for assisting us with this work.  All sites are being mapped by GPS so we can monitor the progress of these and other containment/reclamation efforts.

          As an added bonus, 57,000+ biological agents were released at several sites along the 37 miles of corridor mid-summer.  BLM employees have been monitoring their 2003 release sites and have found beetles in all six locations.  This is encouraging, as the biological efforts have not been extremely successful in the past.  The BLM also found some biological agents in other release sites from previous years, giving us hope that in the future we will have an insectary of our own in Washington County.

          I continue to hear the misconception that the county is paying for all of this, so I thought I would share some interesting dollar facts.  In 2004 $94,793 was contributed in hard dollars to this effort, of that $5,000 was county funds.  We must also remember this project is all about erasing the boundary lines, federal, state, private, FWRT and other lands were grazed.  The weeds know no boundaries and we have to strategically battle them with that same philosophy in mind.

          As the end of the year quickly approaches, rest assured we are already planning for next year.  As this unique, integrated weed management program continues to grow, so do our plans and aspirations.  Thank you for your support.