BOISE, Idaho - The Western Whitewater Association’s 6^th annual jet boat trip up the Salmon River is scheduled for April 25-27 to control noxious weeds in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness Area.

Each year the association – in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service – sponsors a trip up the Salmon River in jet boats to help control noxious weeds. Interested participants should contact Ron Garrett at 208-362-3566 or juliarongarrett@earthlink.net; or Bob Spencer at 332-8613 or bspencer@agri.state.id.us. Space is limited and requests to participate will be on a first-come-first-served basis.

"One way that we can be good stewards of the environment is to protect our wilderness areas from being overtaken by noxious weeds. It takes a tremendous amount of hard work and land managers such as the USFS need assistance from volunteer groups, such as the WWA," said Ron Garrett, past president of the Western Whitewater Association. "One of the best ways to control noxious weeds in remote areas is to actually go out there, look for them, and pull them. This trip combines recreation with hard work. It is very satisfying,"

This year’s project will be focused in the Campbell’s Ferry area. Also assisting the association are members from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and employees of the Idaho State Department of Agriculture. Sensitive areas near desirable vegetation or those near the river and streams will be targeted for hand pulling. Chemical herbicides will be applied further inland using backpack sprayers.

The Western Whitewater Association – which is over 500 members strong – teaches individuals the basics of running the river safely and ethically and they believe in responsible and equitable shared use of our rivers.

WWA Webmaster note:

The news brief above is an excerpt from the March 30, 2003, issue of "This Week in Agriculture".  The complete issue is available through the Idaho Department of Agriculture.