Henrys Fork CWMA

The Henry’s Fork Cooperative Weed Management Area (HFCWMA) is a partnership effort to manage, contain, control, and eradicate noxious weeds in all of Fremont County, Idaho plus the southwestern portion of Yellowstone National Park and a portion of Teton County, Wyoming that lies within the Ashton/Island Park Ranger District.  The HFCWMA contains 1.5 million acres that varies from desert in the southwestern to high alpine forest in the north. Only 25% of the HFCWMA is in private ownership.

            The cooperators in HFCWMA include  Fremont County, Caribou-Targhee National Forest, Yellowstone National Park, Idaho Department of Lands Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Idaho Department of Transportation, Bureau of Land management, Teton County Wyoming, Natural Resource and Conservation Service and several private land owners.

            The HFCWMA uses integrated weed management techniques including to biological, chemical, and mechanical methods to contain, control and eradicate noxious weeds.  The major problem weeds in the HFCWMA are Leafy Spurge and Spotted Knapweed. Leafy Spurge is a deep-rooted perennial that is toxic to both humans and livestock. Spotted Knapweed is occurring along the highways and towns in the area. Major infestations are occurring in the arid desert to the higher elevations and it is increasing in the area. Of special concern are those species that pose a high risk to invade the HFCWMA or expand their current limited range. These species, including Dyer’s Woad, Rush Skeletonweed, Tamarisk, and Purple Loosestrife, are treated as early detection rapid responses (EDRR) situations in the CWMA.

The Henrys Fork Cooperative Weed Management Area Description:

The HFCWMA includes all the land in Fremont County Idaho plus the south west portion of Yellowstone National Park that drains into the Henrys Fork, (the Bechler Subdistrict) and that portion of Teton County Wyoming that lies within the Ashton District of the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. The HFCWMA comprises 1.5 Million acres of which twenty five percent is in private ownership.       

COOPERATIVE WEED MANAGEMENT AREA GOALS:

1. Prevent the introduction, reproduction and spread of designated  noxious weeds and invasive exotic plants into and within the HFCWMA.
2. Reduce the extent and density of established noxious weeds to a point that natural resource damage is within acceptable limits.
3. Implement the most economical and effective control methods for the target weeds.
4. Implement an integrated management system using all appropriate available methods or a combination of methods.
5. Elevate concerns and understanding among private land owners, public land managers, public officials and the general public regarding noxious weeds.
6. Coordinate the inventory, mapping, and monitoring of noxious weed infestations and treatments within the area.
7. Seek adequate funding from internal and external sources to implement annual work plans, special projects, long term strategies and plans.
8. Create new pro-active weed fighting partnerships and initiatives and provide a communication forum to keep all parties informed and engaged.

Weed Free Forage/Straw

The following is a link to a listing of Idaho growers of weed free forage and straw. The Idaho weed awareness site will try to keep this list updated.  http://idahoweedawareness.org/netcenter/library/weedfreeforage.html