Management of Cheatgrass Fuel Loading in the Shrub-Steppe

The Columbia Basin Natural Wildlife Refuge (CNWR) had been periodically grazed until the Refuge was established in 1944. Cheatgrass became a prominent plant in the area. In 1986 a fire occurred near the study area. The area was reseeded with Elymus wawawaiensis (Snake River Wheatgrass, Secar cultivar). This grass has established reducing cheatgrass cover to very low levels. The study area was established in 2002 to test hypotheses on the effects of herbicides on plant community structure and establishment of Elymus wawawaiensis. In 2002 study plots were established and characterized before treatment applications. Treatments were initiated in October 2002 by burning the area. Plateau herbicide (0, 1, 2, 4 and 8 oz acre1 ) was applied in October to a set of plots. On February 19, 2003, Elymus wawawaiensis was drill seeded in split plots. In March 2003 Roundup herbicide was applied to another set of plots. In March 2004 Roundup was application was repeated on another set of plots. Plots were monitored in 2002, 2003, and 2004. Plots were again monitored in 2008, 2009, and 2010. Associated fire risk assessments were made in restored plant communities at CNWR in 2004. A fire risk assessment with respect to cheatgrass cover was done at the Saddle Mountain National Wildlife Refuge. On May 29, 2013 the NW Fire science Consortium sponsored a technical field tour to the research site, led by Dr. Steven Link of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation & Native Plat Landscaping and Restoration LLC. Dr. Link discusses the results of his recent research on controlling cheatgrass and fire risk on the CNWR.