Adams County Weed ControlARRA Fuels Reduction and

Ecosystem Restoration Grant, 2009-2013

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

Grant ProgramIn 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.

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.

Filling Up

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.

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

Before & After

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!

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.

Before &After

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

Things we value are threatened by invasive species

ACWC wishes to gratefully acknowledge USDA Forest Service for this grant.