Aerial spraying site

Lower Rio Grande Salt Cedar Management Program

Sierra SWCD - Your local leaders in natural resources.

In 2002 the New Mexico State Legislature appropriated $5 million to assist in the control of non-native phreatophytes along the Rio Grande and Pecos Rivers. The language of the appropriation stated that the funding would go through local soil and water conservation districts and the districts had to: (1) conduct public hearings; (2) develop management & restoration plans; (3) carry out aerial or ground application (4) monitor effects on wildlife, water quality, vegetation and soil health and (4) take measures to comply with federal law if it would affect threatened or endangered species. The funding was divided equally between the two rivers and then the Rio Grande was divided into two project areas, based on the vegetative differences, with the Upper Rio Grande devoted to large acres of Russian Olive and salt cedar interspersed with native vegetation. The Lower Rio Grande Salt Cedar Management Project has predominately large acres of monotypic sites of salt cedar with minimal acres of Russian Olive.

A steering committee was formed for this project area, comprised of representatives from several entities, along with a member from each SWCD who was authorized to make decisions for the project area from each of their respective District. The Socorro SWCD serves as the fiscal agent for the project area. The Steering committee prioritizes treatment areas and establishes a budget to implement the treatment. Additional funding has been received from the State of New Mexico to continue to work begun in 2002. Since that time over $10 million has been allocated for statewide phreatophyte control efforts by soil and water conservation districts

The Sierra SWCD continues to be a part of the Lower Rio Grande Salt Cedar Program, along with the Socorro, Caballo and La Union SWCDs. The area encompasses the northern boundary of Socorro County south to the Texas border, along the Rio Grande. Other funding has been received to enhance these efforts, including federal funds from the Bureau of Reclamation, the Bureau of Land Management, the US Fish & Wildlife Service, along with special appropriations by Senators Bingaman and Domenici.

Within the Sierra SWCD, 3,252.75 acres have been treated since 2002, either through aerial application, mechanical or cut-stump treatment methods. Arsenal is the herbicide utilized during the aerial or folier application. Details on the herbicide are included on the BASF website.

Cut-stump has been applied to approximately 203 acres through the communities of Truth or Consequences and Williamsburg. Crews are hired to cut the salt cedar trees down, the slash is removed and chipped or provided as free use firewood and the stump is painted with an herbicide called Garlon 4. Details on the herbicide are included on the BASF website.

For complete information, please read the attached Lower Rio Grande Salt Cedar Control Project Plan

LRGSC Project Plan