FY21 Stillaguamish Tribe Trafton Floodplain Weed Control

The Stillaguamish Tribe Natural Resources Department conducted weed control efforts at the Trafton property owned by the Stillaguamish Tribe. The Tribe has completed feasibility and design for an extensive floodplain and instream habitat restoration project at this location. Currently, the property contains extensive infestations of invasive and noxious weeds and we have a window of time prior to construction to address the weeds. The purpose of this project was to control invasive and noxious weeds prior to initiation of further restoration actions. Natural Resources staff led work efforts to control weeds throughout the property using a variety of treatment methods including manual removal, mechanical mowing, and targeted herbicide application. The methods were used in combination depending on species, density, timing of work, and location. The outcome was a reduction in weed density and areal extent throughout the property and retention of as much existing native vegetation as possible to benefit salmonid habitat.

The goal of the project is to enhance the existing native riparian forest at the Trafton property located on the left bank of the North Fork Stillaguamish River. The purpose is to improve properly functioning riparian forest conditions to benefit Stillaguamish Chinook and other salmonids. Proposed project activities are consistent with the Stillaguamish Watershed Chinook Salmon Recovery Plan. Expected benefits include reduced invasive and noxious weed extent and biomass coupled with reduced weed density prior to initiation of floodplain and instream habitat restoration and associated riparian planting. This proposed riparian restoration work is part of a larger effort to restore instream and floodplain habitat at this location (other funding paying for those portions of the larger project).