Demonstration projects and long-term considerations associated with saltcedar and Russian olive control and riparian restoration: Chapter 8

Whereas the primary intent of this document is to provide the science assessment called for under The Saltcedar and Russian Olive Control Demonstration Act (“the Act”), a secondary purpose is to provide a common background for applicants to develop prospective demonstration projects. Conducting demonstration projects is a second phase of the Act for which funds have not yet been appropriated. This chapter begins with discussion of possible approaches to demonstration projects. Many of the data gaps and future research needs that have been highlighted in other chapters of this report could be effectively addressed within the context of carefully designed demonstration projects. Such a project was recently undertaken along the middle Rio Grande, a description of which is included below. Finally, a discussion of several long-term considerations is presented in this chapter, both in the context of demonstration projects and more generally in the context of long-term management strategies for saltcedar and Russian olive along rivers in the Western United States.