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BOISE, Idaho - The Western Whitewater Association's annual jet boat trip up
the Salmon River is scheduled for May 3-5.
Each year the association - in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service in
the Frank Church River of No Return and the Bureau of Land Management on the
Lower Salmon River - 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 Bob Spencer at 332-8613 Space is limited and requests to
participate will be on a first-come-first-served basis.
"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," said Ron Garrett, president of the Western Whitewater Association.
This year's effort will focus on Spotted Knapweed, Rush Skeletonweed and
Sulfur Cinquefoil on both public and private land. Sensitive areas such as
those near the river and streams will be targeted for hand pulling.
Chemical herbicides will be applied further inland using backpack sprayers.
Noxious weeds are non-native species of plants that choke out native vegetation and destroy ecosystems. Though landowners and land managers are
able to use a variety of methods to combat noxious weeds, they are particularly difficult to control in remote areas. Noxious weeds have been
described as a biological wildfire for their rapid and devastating effects
on native plant and animal species.
WWI is an association of jet boaters with a membership of approximately 500
members. Members of the association teach individuals the basics of running the river safely and ethically and believe in responsible shared use
of our rivers. WWA has been participating in the weed control effort for
the past 5 years.
For more information contact Ron Garrett, Western Whitewater Association, at
208-362-3566, or Bob Spencer, Idaho State Department of Agriculture, at
208-332-8613.
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