CAN I CUT DOWN, PLANT TREES, OR CHANGE
VEGETATION TYPE?
Un-cleared (left) and cleared (right) salt cedar stands. Native tree and grass species are planted to revegetate cleared sites. Work conducted by the Gila Watershed Partnership.
Yes, with assistance. Make a call.
In general, it is okay to plant or cut down trees on your land, but some restrictions may apply to work taking place along the river. If work will involve digging and moving of river channel soil, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit is required. When critical habitat for endangered species is present, disturbances to vegetated patches along the river may require USFWS permitting and approval. USFWS permits may limit the season (e.g., when threatened or endangered birds are nesting) in which brush clearing or other vegetation disturbances can be conducted.
For more information on identifying “critical lands”, see the section on “Do I have Critical Habitat on my Land?”
If you are interested in preventing weed encroachment and spreading on your property, contact NRCS or your local cooperative extension office for technical (and possibly financial) support. Additional funding may be available through the state’s Watershed Improvement Program (WIP). WIP was established in 2014 for the purpose of controlling, reducing, and removing noxious brush and other vegetation, and for the re-vegetation of land where brush and vegetation has been controlled, reduced, or removed. The program may provide funding to anyone undertaking a project consistent with the purposes of the program. Contact the Arizona Department of Water Resources for additional details: 602.771.8659
azwater.gov/AzDWR/StateWidePlanning/ RuralPrograms/Grants
Some clearing of invasive salt cedar (Tamarisk spp.) is already taking place along the Upper Gila River corridor. To learn more about these restoration efforts, join invasive species removal projects, or consult with specialists about replacing salt cedar on your land with native species (i.e. willow, cottonwood), contact the Gila Watershed Partnership (GWP):
info@gwpaz.org
928.322.0697
For More Information, Contact:
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS)
www.fws.gov/southwest/es/arizona
602.242.0210
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
928.428.3597