The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) has awarded $2 million in grant funds for four projects to address riparian vegetation overgrowth in the Republican and Platte river basins.
     Two projects address invasive vegetation in the Republican River Basin and two are directed to the North Platte River Basin.
     Agriculture Director Greg Ibach said the four projects represent an important step toward improving the health of riparian areas and streamflow.
     "These projects will address overgrowth such as saltcedar, phragmites and Russian olive," Ibach said. "Removing these moisture-robbing invasives will improve streamflow, habitat and even recreation opportunities. All projects will promote the use of best management practices to maintain the improvements once the work is complete."
     The four grant proposals, sponsors, and amounts awarded are:
     High Plains Invasive Species Project, sponsored by the High Plains Weed Management Association based out of Scottsbluff, will receive $65,000. The High Plains project will educate landowners on invasive control strategies, survey riparian wetlands for invasive populations and initiate control measures, in cooperation with landowners, in selected areas.
     Eastern Republican Riparian Improvement Project, sponsored by the Twin Valley Weed Management Area based out of Red Cloud, will receive $772,500. The Eastern Republican project will be used to initiate an integrated riparian land management program, in cooperation with landowners, that uses chemical, biological and mechanical methods of vegetation management. Funds also will be used to educate and assist landowners in the ongoing management of invasives on riparian land.
     Western Republican Riparian Improvement Project, sponsored by the Southwest Weed Management Area based out of Cambridge, will receive $814,617 and will complement the work being done on the eastern part of the Republican River. The Western Republican project will include some mapping and surveying of invasive species, outreach to landowners on the need for invasive control measures and the importance of maintaining improvements, and initiation of control measures, in cooperation with landowners.
     Lake McConaughy Saltcedar Control "Surround and Drown" Plan, sponsored by the West Central Weed Management Area based out of Gothenburg, will receive $347,883. The Lake McConaughy project aims to control a significant saltcedar infestation that has inundated the lakebed as the lake receded due to drought. The project would treat targeted invasives, using chemical, mechanical and biological controls, in a designated area of the perimeter to prevent further spread of the vegetation. The invasives below the treated area would be contained until the lake refills, killing the remaining vegetation.
     The Riparian Vegetation Management Grant Program was created in LB 701, the comprehensive water legislation signed into law earlier this year by Governor Dave Heineman. The legislation authorizes $2 million annually for two years for the grant program.
     Ibach said NDA is working with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission on the grant awards so grant awardees are aware of wildlife and habitat concerns within project areas. Game and Parks is charged in LB 701 with assisting grant recipients with implementing their projects.
     "We all want to see these projects meet the objective outlined in LB 701. That is to improve conveyance of streamflow in natural streams," Ibach said.
     "We also want the projects to be done in a way that is consistent with our obligations to Nebraska landowners, farmers and ranchers, our natural resources and wildlife. By working cooperatively, we can achieve that goal," he said.