08/02/06 Yakama Nation gets grant for weed control

Washington Ag August 2, 2006 The Confederated Tribes of the Yakama Nation have received a 300-thousand dollar grant through the USDA's Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative to develop an integrated weed management plan for the reservation's entire 1.2 million acres. Ron Shavlik, Natural Resources Conservation Service Assistant State Conservationist, says controlling invasive weeds on the reservation will benefit more than tribal lands. Shavlik: "They've got spotted knapweed and numerous other ones that have come in. And if they don't eradicate them now they do spread onto adjoining properties, private as well as state and federal properties." Shavlik says the Yakama nation has been proactive in weed management in recent years, but; Shavlik: "The funds have kind of dried up from various sources so this is an opportunity for them to continue to do a good job on their property." This is the first year USDA has offered these grants. The recipients provide at least 50 percent of the project cost with non-federal funds and/or in-kind contributions. I'm Bob Hoff.