The Nash Wash WMA is a historic ranch located along the south Book Cliffs. This property was acquired by the UDWR largely because of its high use and value for mule deer in the winter. You can see numerous deer wintering and large bucks rutting in the fields on this WMA. This property also has a small population of turkeys and chukars. Before it's acquisition, the property was managed as a private ranch with the resources to manage several agricultural fields and pastures. Because of limited time and resources, this property has slowly deteriorated and lost some of the value it once had with many of the fields that once had crops transitioning to cheatgrass and other weeds. There have been efforts in the past to spray weeds and plant native grasses, but very little native species have been able to survive and outcompete the weeds. This project is designed to test the use herbicide and new equipment (potholer) developed by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife to try and control cheatgrass and establish native and introduced species for the benefit of mule deer and upland game.

1) Test new equipment for the control of cheatgrass and establishment of perennial plant species. 2) Establish beneficial habitat for mule deer and upland game species.

Because of the dominance of cheatgrass and other annual weed species, there is limited risk in testing new equipment and control efforts in these fields.

Nash Wash Management Plan UDWR objectives and mission W-82-R Grant

A reduction in fine fuels would be expected if treatment is successful.

This project will have limited impact on water quality/quantity.

1 Archaeologist, No survey required for previously disturbed ground., Jan 27 2015 / 2 PMArchaeology, The planned project area will be conducted on an old agricultural field and an area that had previous ground disturbance., Jan 29 2015 / 6 NEPA, No NEPA is required. , Jan 3 2015

The treatment area will fall into one of three categories: 1) Drill seed/No herbicide 2) Drill seed/Herbicide 3) Potholer seed/Herbicide The project will be set up with plots to monitor and compare the different treatment types. The herbicide treatment will consist of Plateau (4 oz/acre) and MSO (1.5 qts/acre) and will be applied using a ground sprayer with a 30 ft boom (80015 fan nozzles, 20psi @ 3 mph = 11 gal/acre) several weeks prior to any seeding treatment. The seeding treatment will be accomplished using either a small ATV drill with boxes for separating small species and grasses, or the new potholer seeding all species through one box.

Treatments will be monitored for at least 2 years following implementation.

Danielle Johnston, Colorado Parks and Wildlife

This project will be monitored for success and future herbicide and seeding treatments may be implemented if needed.

Reduction of annual grasses and increase of perennial species will have a positive impact on forage for both wildlife and livestock

09/24/2019

11/13/2019

2020

9/24/2019 - GBRC staff applied the herbicide treatment (Plateau 4 oz/acre and MSO 1.5 qts/acre) using a ground sprayer with a 30 ft boom (80015 fan nozzles, 20psi @ 3 mph = 11 gal/acre). 11/12/2019-11/13/2019. Due to the extremely dry conditions the potholer would not penetrate to the desired depth, so a ripper was used to loosen the soil in front of the potholer. During implementation of seeding with the potholer on the west polygon, one of the drop tubes for seed wrapped around the seed drive wheel and seed did not disperse over most of that field. Seed was broadcast the following day using a herd broadcaster. The drill seeding was accomplished on 11/12/2019 using a small ATV drill with boxes for separating small species and grasses. The small species forage kochia 'snowstorm', forage kochia 'immigrant' and Wyoming big sagebrush were seeded through the fluffy box and seeded onto the surface. Part of the small seeded species Sandberg bluegrass, Sand dropseed, and spike dropseed were seeded in the fluffy box and the other part was seeded with the other species through the primary grass box and placed in the drill rows.

Despite less than ideal conditions due to weather, the project was implemented successfully on the project area. This was a good collaborative effort among the GBRC, Regional Staff, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

The project will be monitored for the next several years for success. There may be additional trials under better conditions or with modifications to the potholer if the method proves beneficial.