Public meeting set for Feb. 6 at fairgrounds

McCOOK, Neb. — Southwest Weed Management, with the Red Willow County Noxious Weed Control Authority, plans a public meeting to inform landowners of programs to remove eastern red cedar, russian olive trees, salt cedar and phragmites from property in Red Willow County. The meeting will be Thursday, Feb. 6, at 7 p.m., in the 4-H Building on the Red Willow County Fairgrounds in the 1500 block of West Fifth in McCook.

Phragmites and salt cedar are non-native species and listed as noxious plants in Nebraska. Southwest Weed Management is offering a program to pay 100% of cost to control phragmites and salt cedar to qualified landowners.

Uncontrolled, these plants out-compete native vegetation, overtaking areas within a short time. Phragmites and salt cedar have no forage value and degrade native wildlife habitat. Landowners with property adjoining the Republican River may apply for assistance at no cost.

Eastern red cedar and russian olive tree control will also be discussed.

These trees spread quickly and reduce rangeland capacity. Land owners with property within one-half mile of a river, perennial stream or intermittent stream in the Republican River watershed may be eligible for a 50% cost share to remove eastern red cedar and russian olive trees. Work may be accomplished by an individual landowner or a contractor.

Funding for these programs is provided through grants from the Nebraska Department of Agriculture and Nebraska Environmental Trust.

All landowners interested in these programs are encouraged to attend.

For additional information, contact Jim Bowen, Southwest Weed Management Project Coordinator, at (308) 920-2410; or Bill Elliott, Red Willow County weed control superintendent at (308) 345-4333.