Utah Issues
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Volunteer with the Grand Canyon Trust and help us eradicate tamarisk!
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The South East Utah Tamarisk Partnership (SEUTP) develops a strategic plan for controlling tamarisk.
The Trust has been involved in a planning process with federal and state agencies, local groups, private individuals, and other environmental nonprofits. We completed a document outlining a strategy for controlling tamarisk, Russian olive, and other invasive woody species, as well as for revegetating the Colorado River and its tributaries in southeastern Utah. The Tamarisk Coalition from Grand Junction, Colorado, asked us to organize the first meetings. We gladly agreed to help launch this effort to:
- Learn if there was interest in creating a regional strategy
- Shepherd the process of monthly meetings
- Help raise money to pay for the consulting and plan writing
- Gather information to ensure a vision that is tailored to the people and place
The group rapidly coalesced and started work. One of the compelling opportunities was a bill that was being sped through Congress — the Salt Cedar and Russian Olive Control Demonstration Act (H.R.2720). Now passed and referenced as Public Law 109-320, it authorizes funding for demonstration projects in regions like ours.
The hope of funding has been the incentive to complete the strategic plan, and SEUTP has worked to meet all criteria in the legislation. We have also provided a catalogue of techniques for removal, with recommendations for preferred methods, project areas, and a strong emphasis on monitoring a Eurasian beetle that shows real promise for controlling tamarisk. Our study also highlights other control techniques, and contains maps that show the location and density of tamarisk in our study area.
Your donations and membership dues make our research, monitoring, and restoration work in Utah possible.
