Contractors use skid loaders and other equipment to remove trees along the Republican River. (Southwest RC&D) [Click to enlarge]

Southwest Weed Management Area has contracted with BSB Construction, Inc for mechanical tree removal on the Republican River in portions of Furnas, Hitchcock and Dundy Counties. This work began Feb. 15 and is expected to be completed by June 30.

Species targeted are eastern red cedar, salt cedar and Russian olive. Crews will be removing trees within 100 feet of the Republican River.

BSB Construction Inc. has subcontracted with Adams Construction in Arapahoe, and Vrbas Construction in Stratton. Adams Construction will be removing trees on approximately 100 acres in Furnas County. Vrbas Construction is working on 320 acres in Dundy County, and BSB Construction Inc has crews working on 206 acres in Hitchcock County. Total acres to be cleared for this project are approximately 626.

Southwest Weed Management Area board of directors is happy with the progress made since February. Rick Hedke, SWWMA President said, "Crews have already completed 15 percent of the work in the first three weeks. One mile east and west of each side of the Culbertson Bridge is already finished. Furnas County is more than 50 percent completed and moving right along. Crews are doing a fine job of cutting and spraying all stumps of Salt Cedar and Russian Olives. Hopefully with the good weather we can complete this project ahead of schedule."

Tim Smith Coordinator for The Western Republican River Riparian Improvement Project is also pleased with the progress.

"Considering the scope and complexity of the work, things are going really well. We have good contractors working in sometimes very difficult conditions and they are doing a great job. We have also had super cooperation from the landowners involved and I would really like to thank them for helping us out so much."

Funding for this project is made possible through a grant SWWMA received from the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. LB 701 provided the State of Nebraska with $2 million for invasive species removal along rivers in this state. SWWMA is one of two weed management areas working along the Republican River. They will remove invasive species in the Republican River from the Colorado border to the diversion dam east of Cambridge.