Russian Olive Initiative

Even though Russian olive provides benefits to birds and bees, it is also crowding out native species that previously provided those benefits. It becomes so thick that it chokes the river and irrigation corridors, making access impossible, and taking over entire drainages. Numerous agencies are onboard through the Escalante River Watershed Partnership to work toward Russian olive removal on public lands from Lake Powell to the headwaters of the Escalante and Boulder.

However, much of the seed source for those lower drainages can be traced to upland areas of both public and private lands. That has become ERBI’s main role: to work with private landowners in Boulder and Escalante to try to eliminate the trees from private lands.

We began, Spring 2010, by mapping Russian olive concentrations in these areas using GIS mapping techniques to coordinate with the public land efforts. Using these maps, we’ve been able to target high-priority concentrations, and have signed up many of the involved landowners who want assistance with the Russian olive removal. Demo projects are being set up in several locations for the public to observe the process and progress. Because they are demonstration sites, different techniques will be featured so landowners can decide which methods fit their properties best.
 
Demo #1 was completed in late Spring, along Highway 12 just north of Boulder center. In cooperation with Utah Forestry, Fire and State Lands, Russian olive was removed, cut into firewood, and chipped for mulch. Trees on the west side of the highway were treated with an herbicide directly applied to the cut stumps; trees on the east were untreated. Piles of the mulch and wood were left along Hwy 12 for anyone to take, and they were gone in a week. 

Demo #2 is at the confluence of the Escalante River and Calf Creek, just off Highway 12 at the bridge. In this case, the private landowner has been struggling with Russian olive removal for several years on his own, as he’s watched the trees gradually take over the vegetation along the Escalante River in his “backyard.” This project, planned for Fall 2010, will entail a close partnering of BLM with the landowner, and will provide a unique demonstration given this highly visible, heavily traveled location.

Demo #3 will be along Lower Boulder Road below Sugarloaf on private land, also planned for Fall 2010.

No matter which removal method is used, the work is arduous and can be expensive. Typically, crews with chain saws do the initial cutting work; in other cases, heavy equipment might be more suitable. If an herbicide is used, it has to be carefully applied, directly to the cut stump, never sprayed. Remaining slash piles need to be chipped or burned, and somehow removed from the area. The task can be so daunting that it seemed to be a futile effort until recently. Now, with Russian olive having been designated as a Class 3 invasive weed in Garfield County, the county and state may be able to help with the cost of some of the removal. That, coupled with the Partnership’s knowledge and resources, this ongoing effort stands a good chance of success.

For a graphic look at the before-and-after difference of Russian olive removal along the Escalante River visit this site, from Bill Wolverton’s “War with the Russian Olive”: http://www.math.utah.
edu/~sfolias/canyontales/wolverton/photojournal.php

For more information on Russian olive removal or ERWP activities, check out these links:

Escalante River Watershed Partnership Action Plan
Escalante/Boulder Landowner Packet PDF

BCA 2011 Summary Report: Russian Olive and Beaver Programs