Be a Weed Warrior

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Jordan River Commission

Salt Cedar

Tamarix Ramosissima

This invasive, commonly known as tamarisk, can grow from 6 to 26 feet tall. Between March and  September it blooms small pink or white flower buds. Orgininally introduced in the early 1800′s as an ornamental plant, the tamarisk shrub has become a big problem along Utah’s water ways.

The plant reproduces through its seeds and root system. Annually each shrub can produce up to 600,000 seeds, and its root system can grow 30 feet deep or more. Its growth often overtakes native vegetation. It uses large amounts of water that are eventually lost to evaporation. The tamarisk deep root system slows river flow.

Removal of the tamarisk is very difficult as it does not respond to burning or flooding. Usually it is removed using herbicides, also by beetle introduction.

To learn more visit http://extension.usu.edu/rangeplants/htm/saltcedar/

 

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Request for Proposals

Posted on March 21, 2012 by Jordan River Commission

The Commission is currently seeking an interdisciplinary consulting team to lead a collaborative process to develop best management practices and guidelines to guide the planning, regulation, and management of riparian corridors.  The anticipated deliverables include:

  1. A Project Management Plan that meets the requirements of the funding source. See DWQ Management Plan Template link below
  2. A Best Practices for Riparian Corridor Conservation and Development document that applies to:
    •  New development and redevelopment projects – strategies to prevent and reduce the impacts of new development on riparian corridor function.
    • Existing developed areas – strategies to mitigate the impacts of existing development types on riparian corridor function
  3. A checklist-type evaluation tool that the Jordan River Commission, local governments, and project proponents can use to evaluate proposed riparian corridor development projects against the Best Practices.
  4. Guidelines for local governments developing a Riparian Corridor Protection Ordinance based on the Best Practices.
  5. An educational campaign to share and promote the Best Practices and the importance of watershed protection.
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$1.1 Million Secured for Jordan River Parkway Trail Completion

Posted on March 20, 2012 by Jordan River Commission

The Jordan River Commission, and the cities of West Jordan and Sandy are pleased to announce that $1.1 million in State funding has been secured for the completion of a gap in the Jordan River Parkway trail in Sandy and West Jordan.  Of the 45-mile Jordan River Parkway Trail, only 3.5 miles currently remain incomplete.  Once all gaps are complete, the Jordan River Parkway Trail, combined with the Legacy Parkway Trail and the Denver/Rio Grande Trail, will provide 76 miles of uninterrupted, paved trail running from Weber County to Utah County.

This new funding will help close a 1.2 mile gap near 9000 South, and will specifically fund the construction of a pedestrian underpass under 9000 South. The planning, design, and funding of the 9000 South trail segment has been a coordinated effort between the cities of Sandy and West Jordan, Salt Lake County, the National Park Service’s Rivers and Trails Conservation Assistance (RTCA) Program, and all thirteen local governments represented by the Jordan River Commission.

Sandy, West Jordan, and Salt Lake County have been working both independently and through the coordination of the RTCA to master plan, acquire property, and set aside funds to complete the trail segments on either side of 9000 South.

The Jordan River Commission, with great support from West Jordan and Sandy City, led the charge to identify funding to connect these two segments with a pedestrian underpass under 9000 South. The coalition was successful in securing the funding through local negotiations with state legislators, a demonstration of local financial commitment to complete the project, and most importantly, through the coordinated request from elected officials across the Wasatch Front to see this regional amenity completed.

Jordan River Commission Chairman, Councilman Corey Rushton said, “This is a great success story about what can be accomplished when local governments partner together on a cross-jurisdictional project. This is a project that benefits the entire Wasatch Front, and we are grateful for the contributions of all those involved in making this happen.”

Filling the entire trail gap (from 8600 South to 9400 South) is expected to cost just over $3 million.  Much of this has already been secured by the local governments, and although  some additional funding is still needed, the completion of the 9000 South trail gap is closer than ever before.

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