PARTNERSHIPS AT WORK -- FESTO LAKE DEMONSTRATION PROJECT

    (Above) Aerial map of Festo Lake Demonstration Project area in Platte County, Wyoming

The Festo Lake Demonstration project is a cooperative effort of 10 local entities and 17 landowners to restore riparian and wetland components of Festo Lake and adjacent lands through the removal of invasive Russian olive trees. Over the years, Russian olives have gained a significant foothold in the riparian and hydric areas of Platte County, including Festo Lake, degrading wildlife habitat and depleting water resources.

In 2007, a technical team was formed to address concerns for wildlife habitat, invasive species control and water conservation in Platte County. Inspired by successful results with invasive specie removal in other counties across Wyoming and Nebraska, the Platte County Technical Team chose the Festo Lake area for a restoration demonstration. The restoration will not only include invasive specie removal but also the planting of beneficial woody and herbaceous species and the development of Festo Lake as a public recreation area.

The Platte County Weed and Pest office received a grant from the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust and a Wyoming Department of Agriculture Pesticide Registration grant to fund a portion of the demonstration project. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provided additional assistance to landowners in the demonstration area with Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) and Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) funding. The result was the successful cutting, mulching and stump treatment of Russian olives on 1,000 acres. 

Wyoming’s Governor Dave Freudenthal recently toured the Festo Lake demonstration area.  Several partners were on hand to meet with the Governor to encourage his support for local partnerships and further state funding of similar projects.

In addition to the Festo Lake Demonstration project, NRCS is providing technical assistance, EQIP and AMA funding for Russian olive removal and riparian enhancement projects throughout Platte County.

The ten entities that comprise the Festo Lake project partnership are:

• USDA/NRCS
• Platte County Weed and Pest
• Platte County Resource District
• Wyoming Game and Fish
• Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust
• UW Cooperative Extension Service
• SE Wyoming RC&D
• Chugwater Chapter Pheasants Forever
• Wyoming State Engineer’s Office
• Wyoming Department of Agriculture

“It’s a great thing to have this kind of cooperation with 10 entities and 17 landowners coming together to achieve a common goal such as this!” said Tim Becket, NRCS District Conservationist in Wheatland.

Left to right:  Bob Gilbert, Platte County Weed and Pest; Becky Shoemaker, Platte County Resource District; Brady Irvine, Platte County Resource District; Tim Becket, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service; Governor Dave Freudenthal; Eric West, Platte County Weed and Pest; Hardy von Forell, Platte County Resource District; and Bob Shoemaker, Platte County Weed and Pest.