Introduction

Wallowa Resources’ Wallowa Canyonlands Partnership (WCP) protects the unique ecological and economic values of Hells Canyon grasslands along lower Joseph Creek, lower Grande Ronde River and Imnaha River from weed invasion and habitat degradation by applying Integrated Weed Management methods to treat noxious weeds. WCP makes significant efforts to detect new sites of high priority species in the area using aerial and walking surveys, and by educating landowners and managers as to the identification of weeds (i.e. bounty program).  WCP works to eradicate, contain, and control priority weeds according to species distribution and management goals of the area (in accord with the Asotin and Wallowa County Integrated Weed Management Plans).  Eradication is the goal when invasive populations are detected early and are small enough that extirpation is possible.  Containment scenarios are the goal for weed populations that are locally too heavy to eradicate but that are not spread throughout entire watersheds or landscapes.  Control methods are used to manage noxious weeds at specific sites within landscape scale infestations and to recapture forage production and habitat opportunities.  Biological control agents are released when available for weeds that have gone beyond our ability to control or effectively contain. Highly degraded sites dominated by annual grass species are given priority for revegetation.  WCP tracks weed activities by site in a database and these sites are mapped in GIS systems to monitor populations over time.  WCP staff visits treated sites to ensure quality work has been performed and to judge the efficacy of our control efforts.  This project employs education and outreach as weed prevention measures, relying on the follow through of informed landowners and citizens to help curtail the spread of noxious weeds.  WCP participates in a number of activities including the Annual Watershed Festival, weed tours, SOLV volunteer events and student education programs, to educate the public as to the dangers of noxious weeds.

Existing condition

The WCP area consists of rugged canyons and benches.  These steep, semi-arid native grasslands are dynamic systems in constant flux: they are naturally subject to heavy localized rainfall, fire, flood, and constant erosion.  Their young and unstable soils (especially on southern aspects) support bunchgrass climax communities that have natural interspaces between plants.  Early settlers were attracted to the availability of bunchgrass communities for livestock forage, farmable bench lands, and forested north aspects for timber supply.  A century of intensive use left some places in poor condition and especially vulnerable to weed invasion.

Erosion is a major concern through out the project watersheds because the canyon slopes are steep with shallow soils and the rivers flood annually. Noxious weeds degrade water quality by contributing to increased sedimentation rates.  Researchers in Montana found rangelands invaded by spotted knapweed had twice the soil erosion than areas uninfested.  Seed dispersal via waterways is also a key issue facing watersheds within the proposed project.  Japanese Knotweed and other riparian weeds can drastically change the structure and function of riparian plant communities. The rapid growth of invasive plants allows them to out-compete native vegetation, resulting in the loss of functional riparian communities, loss of rooting strength and protection against erosion, decreased slope stability and increased sediment introduction into streams, as well as impacts on water quality.  Endangered species such as bull trout, steelhead, salmon, Spalding’s catchfly and MacFarlane's four-o'clock found in the project area are all threatened by the presence of invading weeds.  Without action to locate and rapidly treat noxious weeds, much critical habitat will be degraded.  

Noxious weed managers in Northeast Oregon, Southeast Washington, and Eastern Idaho have long recognized the high potential for noxious weed invasion in the local canyon lands.  Surrounding areas such as the Whitebird area of the Salmon River and Payette County are currently battling landscape-level yellow star thistle and rush skeletonweed infestations.  Seeds travel easily on the wind, with wildlife and with people.  While we have been fortunate thus far to have relatively small infestations, our proximity to the aforementioned places makes us vulnerable to weed invasion.  


Project Objectives and Specific Actions –

1. Coordinate and implement the inventory and mapping of ~104 miles of upper river corridor and tributary streams that are considered critical habitat for pacific steelhead and/or salmon in the Imnaha and the Lower Grande Ronde watersheds for noxious weeds and conditions that indicate a need for restoration.  

2. Coordinate follow up treatment of sites found during the inventory process across jurisdictional and ownership boundaries.

3. Treat 600 acres of noxious weeds (Using funding sources other than BPA/GRMWS).

4. Release bio-control agents at ~ 8 sites along the Grande Ronde for leafy spurge.

5. Monitor sites to measure treatment efficacy.

6. Assess, prescribe, and begin restoration seeding work (target ~105 acres).  Both native and non native seed will be available for restoration and will be chosen based on the managers/landowners objectives for that area. Restoration sites are typically treated and seeded in the fall. Methods vary from hand broadcast and raking to using Round Up to kill all competing vegetation and a rangeland drill to plant seed depending on site size and accessibility.

7. Educate the public as to the dangers of noxious weeds and how to manage them.

8. Summarize results and learning , share with project partners, the public and grantors.