Transcript Adams County Weed Control

Adams County Weed Control
Adams County Weed Control is a
department of Adams County, Idaho,
located in Southwest Idaho covering
882,600 acres.
•64.5% Federal lands
•4.5% State lands
•30.7% Private lands
•0.3% City and County
•60.3% is forested
•32.4% is rangeland
•6.7% is agricultural
•Highest Unemployment rate in Idaho
•Noxious weeds are a significant problem,
reducing property, recreational, timber
and agricultural values and fueling
wildfire on public and private property
ACWC is responsible for County Weed
Control activities from Hell’s Canyon on
the West to the Salmon River Mtns. on
the East, from desert to alpine terrain
ARRA Fuels Reduction and
Ecosystem Restoration
Grant, 2009-2013
Grant Program
In late 2009, Adams County Weed
Control was selected as the recipient
of $508,865 in American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act funds distributed by
the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of
Land Management and administered
by the Idaho State Department of
Agriculture. Funds were to be used for
job creation and training and to reduce
negative economic impacts of noxious
weeds and wildland fire.
Filling Up
ACWC initially utilized these funds to
hire and train 5 seasonal workers, as
well as to acquire the tools, supplies
and vehicles needed for their work.
Over the course of the grant, 12
people were employed and trained.
Most of the employees were offered
county benefits. The addition of
benefits attracted residents with long
term commitments to the community.
Others were college students or
employees “borrowed” from other
departments for short term work.
Cooperators: Adams County, Adams County Weed Control, Adams
County Building Inspector, Adams CWMA, Weiser River Trail, Idaho Dept.
of Lands, ITD, Idaho Power, Potlatch, Evergreen Forests, City of Council,
City of New Meadows, BLM, Payette National Forest.
Before & After
Accomplishments
• 12 People trained in safe use of
equipment, chemicals, record keeping
•7 people professionally licensed by
State of Idaho for use of herbicides
and the National Weed Free Forage
and Straw inspection program
•3 people currently using these skills
to operate their own businesses
providing weed control services locally
•Fuel loads reduced around
endangered homes and escape routes
throughout the county
•4,523 acres of weed infestations
treated by chemical or mechanical
means
•125 acres treated w/Bio-Controls
•117 acres treated for fuel reduction
•26 acres reseeded/restored
•19,334 hours worked
Leafy
Spurge
Before & After
Spotted knapweed
ACWC partnered with our County’s Firewise
program, also funded by the USFS, to provide
fuel reduction services to county residents.
Employees were trained in the use and
maintenance of chainsaws, protective
equipment and the chipper. Safety First!
Before &
After
Work benefitted county resident’s properties and
improved fire escape and access to their properties.
This also extended the working season into the fall
when it was too cold and wet to chemically treat
weeds.
Things we value are threatened by invasive
species
Benefits
•Significant reduction in some noxious
weed infestations
•Significant improvement in ACWC’s
inventory/mapping of infestations
•Improvement of public awareness of
the impacts of noxious weeds and
ACWC mission
•Job training efforts have a positive
impact in our community’s economy
with 2 new businesses started
•Community fire safety improved,
Community awareness increased
•Wildlife habitat and scenic values
improved
•Grant monies have significantly eased
costs for ACWC during the economic
turndown while improving service to
the community
•Trained workforce in place and
foundation laid for future efforts
ACWC wishes to gratefully acknowledge
USDA Forest Service for this grant.