Dear Neighbor,
The disturbed soil resulting from the construction along our road during the past months has resulted in an invasion of Russian thistle (Salsola tragus), known to most of us as tumbleweed. Russian thistle is a highly invasive noxious weed, first introduced into the United States in 1873 by Russian immigrants as a contaminant in flax seed. After its introduction, it spread by contaminated agricultural seeds, threshing crews, livestock railroad cars and, of course, by its unique method of windblown seed dissemination. Today, Russian thistle is estimated to infect 100 million acres in the Southwestern U.S. Unless controlled, it quickly chokes out all native plants.
Starting tomorrow (Tuesday), weather permitting, SRRA will be spraying Russian thistle along Spur Ranch Road in an effort to control its dissemination onto residents’ properties. The chemical used to be used is diquat dibromide and prometon. Studies from Ohio State University, North Dakota State University and the California Department of Agriculture, all of which have tested this product, indicate that it effectively controls of Russian thistle for up to a year. The spraying will be done by hand, targeting individual weed plants, in order to minimize any environmental impact on the surrounding area, and the sprayed region will be only along the road right-of-way. If you own property adjacent to the road and do not wish your segment of the road to be sprayed, then please email me or call me immediately at 466-8833.
Thanks very much.
Jim
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