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Show THE ZEPHYRMAY 1991 The Park Service Obsession with Tamarisk These photographs show the end result of a controversial tamarisk control at Arches National Park. Literally thousands of mature tamarisks were cut with irogram chainsaws and the stumps poisoned with Garlon, a herbicide the NPS maintains Is relatively safe. It also claims that although many of the stumps are within feet or even Inches of a water source, the poison will not adversely affect water quality. No water samples were tested, however, to verify the claim. A major reason given for the tamarisk removal has been "habitat Improvement, ncludlng the Coopers Hawk which for years has nested In a nearby cottonwood. Although the bird Is easily disturbed by human Intrusion, chainsaw cutting and poisoning continued after the hawk was sighted In the area. As of April 10, fire tools and equipment were actually cached at the base of the very tree In which the Coopers Hawk nests. PAGE 25 Representatives of the NPS say that elimination of the exotic plant Is necessary and that real signs of restoration should be obvious In as little as two years. But other park rangers who participated In the project, after seeing the devastating results of the cutting and burning, are not so sure. One ranger had this to say: "Before we started, I was all for this project But now, Id have to say It was a mistake. One thing, to me, Is certain. Aesthetically, the area we once called the Secret now looks like a battlefield from World War I. The Park Service would never dare to Spring an experiment like this In an area of the park that was easily accessible to, and carry out frequently viewed by the public. One final note. The tamarisk control program Is not over at the spring. It will never be over. Even If they can eventually kill all the regrowth from the cut stumps by seeds from nearby tamarisk will find their way to the repeatedly poisoning them, wind-borbottom wash The Park Service has committed Itself to this project for and damp germinate. Until time. of the end eternity. Your tax dollar at work. ne Jim Stiles A 2 south 1st west (801) 259-666- 6 x'M GEORGE Got knocked still stampin' 1HAT S WHY 2T "FOREMAST silly. jurodVi AinID TEED My TACE AT -- flC COLORADO Restaurant & Bar OUTSTANDING SOUTHWESTERN CUISINE AND MOAB'S MUSIC SPOT STU- - . |
