Fall 2002 Supervisor Frank Goffena receives 20-year certificate of recognition and pin from Sara Carlson, MACD Executive Director at the Area IV annual meeting in Hysham. 2002 Area IV meeting held in Hysham Water, money and weed battles are discussed A variety of subjects were discussed at the MACD Area IV meeting in Hysham on September 26, 2002, but the hottest issues were concerning water, money and saltcedar, all which are connected. “Water is going to be a big issue,” said Liz Ching, of Senator Max Baucus’ office. Irrigation development will be the up and coming thing in the state said Mike Carlson, Eastern Plains RC&D, with 5,000 acres with potential for development. And State Representative Monica Lindeen said legislators would be taking a more detailed look at government programs in the next legislative session and determining what is essential for agriculture and natural resources. Jennifer Cramer, Treasure County Weed Coordinator and Jim Sparks, Dawson County Weed Coordinator showed slides and shared their experiences with the rapidly-growing and wide-spreading saltcedar infestations in their counties. With water a big issue during drought years and a mature saltcedar gulping 200 gallons a day or 54,000 gallons in a year, a six-county task force has been formed to combat saltcedar from the mouth of the Yellowstone to the mouth of the Big Horn rivers. Although no real research has been done on saltcedar in Montana, those on the ground are finding the shrub that was initially used as erosion control is a wolf in sheep’s clothing and is now out of control and adapting to life in Montana. Some say the plant here is a hybrid that is learning to grow in shade and adapting to life on the high plains away from streams and rivers. Cramer said saltcedar makes itself a nice growing place and deposits salinity in the soil and water to do so. It also dries up riparian areas, changes the topography of a river and eliminates free flowing water she said. A mature plant produces a half million seeds a year. “Right now there are not enough resources in the state to deal with this,” said Sparks, “and it’s worse than any other weed in our waterways.” The task force has been using one percent Arsenal to spray along the shores of rivers, but chemical use is expensive. Scott Bockness, Weed Control Superintendent of Yellowstone County said studies are being done on the Flathead to find less invasive treatments. Home | Impaired Streams | Outdoor Classroom | Conservation District | Related Links Site Design by Bull Mountain Brokerage & Design Copyright © 2000-2002, All Rights Reserved. No images, content or layout may be used or reproduced Original photo credits © Alice Wolff unless otherwise noted.