Weld County Weed Division - South Platte Watershed Plan

Phreatophyte is a plant with long-roots that absorbs its water from the water table or the soil above it. Or a plant that receives its water from a permanent ground supply. A few plants that fall into this classification are tamarisk, Russian olive, cottonwoods and willows.

In the riparian areas phreatophytes can be a major problem. A group of landowners and government employees from 9 Counties have formed the South Platte River Watershed Weed Management Area. The nine Counties are: Denver, Adams, boulder, Larimer, Weld, Morgan, Logan, Washington and Sedgwick. This group’s first focus is on tamarisk and Russian olive eradication/control. However, other noxious weed species as well as other issues can and will be addressed by this group in the future.

Also being created at the same time is the Platte Invasives Endeavor Plan or PIE plan. This plan gives background information on legislation, tamarisk ecology, Russian olive ecology, control techniques, how each river or creek drainage is going to be addressed for tamarisk and Russian olive, and the education and funding options.

The edited copy of the PIE plan will be posted here until the 5th of January. Suggested changes from the original are in red. We encourage you to read the plan and offer any additional comments that you have. By the 12th of January the plan in its entirety will be submitted to Kelly Uhing with the Colorado Department of Agriculture for final comments and approval.

Having a completed plan will allow all Counties to pursue grant opportunities. The first one will be announced in February from the Colorado Water Conservation Board. We will also be looking for other grant opportunities for smaller projects. Some grant possibilities include EQIP, Pulling Together Initiative and the South Platte Round Table.

Please contact Tina Booton at tbooton@co.weld.co.us to provide your comments, questions, thoughts, or suggestions.

Attached are the Standard Operating Procedures for the South Platte River Watershed Weed Management Area. It is never too late to join as a partner showing your support. No financial commitment is required.
Standard Operating Procedures and Agreement for Managing Noxious Weeds
Signature Agreement

Attached is the PIE plan (pdf).