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<br />1. Organizational Structure has three components: watershed, state, and advisory. The formulation and
<br />implementation of tamarisk control and revegetation plans is best done at the local watershed level with
<br />coordinating support from the state through a small team of 2-4 existing employees (Tamarisk Support
<br />Team). A volunteer advisory panel of experts would provide tecJmjcal assistance to watershed
<br />partnerships of communities, agencies, and organizations, and to the Tamarisk Support Team.
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<br />2. Inventory of the Tamarisk Problem is the crucial element in the development of a control plan at
<br />watershed and statewide scales. The current estimate of 55,000 acres of infestation is only a rough
<br />estimate. A more accurate inventory is needed to provide the basis for project planning (e.g., cost
<br />estimates, resource allocation, and priority setting) and tracking the long-term success of control efforts.
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<br />3. Education is needed to provide the public with an understanding of the problem and means of
<br />implementing solutions. Educational elements should build upon and expand the existing efforts that are
<br />already taking place in Colorado; e.g., volunteer days at state parks (such as Governor Owens' Colorado
<br />Cares Day), CSU Cooperative Extension landowner training, development of a Handbook for Tamarisk
<br />Control and Revegetation, and non-profit outreach programs.
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<br />4. Research on tamarisk has been going on for many years and much is known about the plant and how to
<br />control it. However, to gain a better understanding on how to reduce costs, improve effectiveness, and
<br />reduce impacts on water and wildlife habitat some addition research is needed. This includes changes to
<br />water availability/water quality and habitat, new biological control agents, revegetation, and innovative
<br />control techniques.
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<br />5. Funding is currently piece meal and inadequate to accomplish the objective of controlling tamarisk
<br />within 10 years. Long-term funding is necessary and needs to be developed from combinations of state
<br />and local in-kind support, federal funding, and new sources. Although the estimated cost is not
<br />unreasonable or prohibitive at approximately $5,000,000 per year, it will require considerable effort to
<br />address this issue.
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<br />6. Role of Non-Profits is predominately one of providing education, research, coordination, and active
<br />control/revegetation at the local level. This can be established through watershed partnerships, and
<br />organizations such as the Tamarisk Coalition and The Nature Conservancy.
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<br />7. Role of Local Communities (counties, cities, towns, and Indian tribal units) should be to participate at
<br />the watershed level and take leadership responsibilities to establish watershed partnerships that can
<br />formulate and implement. tamarisk control and revegetation plans. The resulting plans are thus the product
<br />oflocal needs, concerns, and priorities developed by local partnerships; yet, meet the objectives of the
<br />state for tamarisk control and revegetation.
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<br />8. Role of State Agencies is multi-faceted. Through the proposed 2-4 person Tamarisk Support Team, the
<br />state can provide assistance, guidance, education, funding coordination, and accountability resources to
<br />watershed partnerships. Colorado Department of Agriculture and CSU Cooperative Extension offices can
<br />provide training to landowners and other state agencies on proper control and revegetation techniques. As
<br />. land managers, Department of Transportation, State Land Board, State Parks, and Division of Wildlife,
<br />should participate with local watershed partnerships to formulate and implement control plans.
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<br />9. Role of Federal Agencies (BLM, BaR, Defense, Energy, Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service,
<br />and National Park Service) is to participate in local watershed partnerships to formulate and implement
<br />local plans for tamarisk control and reestablishment of native vegetation. Additional emphasis by these
<br />agencies should be placed on establishing budgets for control activities on federal lands. Scientists with
<br />these agencies should also be involved with other researchers in the state to have a coordinated approach
<br />to research.
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<br />10. Role of the Governor and State Legislature is fundamental to the success of the la-Year Plan. The
<br />Governor should continue as the senior spokesman for tamarisk control and habitat restoration by
<br />encouraging Congress to pass the pending federal legislation, by working with adjoining states to
<br />encourage their development of strategic plans for tamarisk control, and by working with the legislature
<br />to help identiry appropriate funding sources for shortfalls at the local level.
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<br />The 10- Y ear Plan should be viewed as a document that must be revisited and changed as new information
<br />becomes available.
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