Mill Creek Confluence project receives $20,000 from the Utah Department of Agriculture
Authored by Brian Tonetti
The Utah Department of Agriculture provided $20,000 to target noxious weeds and continue pilot revegetation strategies to restore and enhance habitat value at the Mill Creek Confluence in South Salt Lake, UT.
The Utah Department of Agriculture’s Invasive Species Mitigation program provided a grant of $20,000 to target noxious weeds and continue pilot revegetation strategies to restore and enhance habitat value at the Mill Creek Confluence. The north-side of Mill Creek at the project area is designated as a flood control levee by the Army Corps of Engineers. This means no woody vegetation can be present on the banks, creating infestations of Scotch thistle, hoary cress, and puncturevine. A pilot grass seed mix will continue to be spread and studied for effectiveness in outcompeting noxious weeds, while presenting a more aesthetically pleasing management option. The south-side of the Confluence is not a levee. Invasive species, such as Russian olive, tamarisk, and phragmites, will be targeted for removal through mechanical and chemical treatments. A seed mix, containing grasses, shrubs, and wildflowers, will improve habitat value, while decreasing the fuel load and flammability of the area. Two fires, in the last two years, swept through the area due to highly-flammable noxious weeds, such as cheatgrass and hoary cress. This project is a partnership between the Jordan River Commission, Salt Lake County, Seven Canyons Trust, South Salt Lake, and the surrounding community.
Project activities:
Utilize an experienced restoration expert, field crews, and volunteers to conduct on-the-ground integrated weed management to prevent colonization and spreading of noxious weeds;
Track progress using photo points, mapping, and point-intercept vegetation transects;
Utilize online resources and social media to educate the community; and
Continue the beginnings of a larger restoration effort for the area.
