Conservation district has grant money to fight knotweed infestations

The Wahkiakum Conservation District has received grant funding from the Washington State Salmon Recovery Funding Board to manage the Knotweed within the Skamokawa Creek watershed. The project proposal was evaluated, ranked and recommended by the Lower Columbia Fish Recovery Board and found consistent with the Lower Columbia Salmon Recovery and Fish & Wildlife Plan.

Knotweed is an aggressive, invasive weed that can quickly choke out native plants that help maintain healthy riverbank habitat which is beneficial to salmon and other wildlife. In most areas where knotweed is established the magnitude of the infestation is simply beyond the individual landowners comfort level and ability to treat and manage on their own. The Conservation District is collaborating with the Wahkiakum County Noxious Weed Control Board and the Lower Columbia Cooperative Weed Management program to implement a project that will locate and treat knotweed.

The project will survey the watershed to determine the location and magnitude of knotweed infestation. Since knotweed typically spreads downstream, emphasis will be placed on locating the upper extent of the infestation. Once the upper extent is identified surveying will be completed in a downstream direction. The survey will commence about the time knotweed emerges (mid April) and is reliant upon landowner permission to access the river and its tributaries. A direct mailing will be sent to landowners along the river with some general knotweed information and a request for permission to access their property to survey for knotweed and to identify areas that would benefit from reforestation with native plant species.

As the survey is being completed, landowners with knotweed infestations on their property will be contacted to coordinate treatment. The grant program provides the funds to treat knotweed over a three to four year period and funding to purchase and plant native streamside vegetation such as grass, shrubs and trees.

Emphasis will be placed on sharing information with landowners so they can assist with continued monitoring and treatment following the project to help ensure effective management of the problem. The project goal is to eradicate knotweed and restore native trees and shrubs along the river.

Landowners along Skamokawa Creek and its tributaries may receive a letter along with a request allowing the survey crew to walk through the stream corridor to locate knotweed infestations.