For Immediate Release July 20, 2004
Contact: Mel Lloyd: 970-244-3097

Joining forces in war against weeds

COLORADO RIVER—The Bureau of Land Management, Mesa County-Colorado and Grand County-Utah are joining forces to target purple loosestrife, an aggressive noxious weed that is quickly invading the Colorado River corridor and its tributaries.

A group of about 12 people will float a 24-mile stretch of the Colorado River, launching July 20 from the Loma Boat Launch and pulling out at Westwater, Utah. They will spend two days scouring the riverbank and walking islands in search of the weed.

"The trip has become an annual event and we’re happy to have Mesa (Colorado) and Grand (Utah) Counties join us in our weed eradication efforts," said BLM Park Ranger Troy Schnurr, who has been focusing his efforts on the Colorado River corridor running through the Colorado Canyons National Conservation Area.

Mark "Sparky" Taber, who was named 2003 Colorado Weed Manager of the Year, will evaluate the impact Schnurr’s weed crew has had in eradicating not only purple loosestrife, but also tamarisk and Russian knapweed along the river corridor.

For further information, contact Troy Schnurr, BLM park ranger, at 970-244-3032.

- BLM -