Workshop on New Grass Germplasms
5
Watershed management and erosion control. Soil loss and deposition
are concerns on Fort Carson. Impacted areas are identified at the watershed level.
Each year measures are taken to control erosion and trap sediment. These include
the construction of erosion-control dams, check dams, hardened crossings, bank-
sloped gullies, turnouts, diversions, and terraces, as well as the reclamation of
redundant roads and trails. Erosion-control dams are now constructed with
broader tops to allow vehicular traffic to cross, and the older dams are being
reworked to allow safe crossing.
Deferment areas. Highly disturbed areas at Fort Carson and Pion Canyon
are identified and, in coordination with DPTM, are rested for up to three years.
The areas are identified with signs that limit training to dismounted exercises and
passing through on designated roads and trails. The rested sites are assessed for
the type of treatment required to improve the site. This may include seeding or
the construction of erosion control structures. Each year, the sites are evaluated
to determine if they have recovered and are ready for opening to full training use.
Monitoring. The Land Condition Trend Analysis of ITAM performs annual
data collection and analysis of the vegetation at Fort Carson and Pion Canyon.
Analyzed data can be used to assess the condition and trend of the training lands.
Research. Several research projects are conducted to improve our under-
standing of our resources and to improve our management strategies. Research
includes understanding the erosion and sediment processes in a watershed,
gaining understanding on the little-known gullying processes, detecting soil
moisture levels from satellite imagery, determining the effectiveness of biologi-
cal controls on several species of noxious weeds, and studying plant materials
to improve seed performance and seed mixes.
Question and answer topics included the following:
There is some erosion by wind, but the main problem is from water.
We do use mulch on drastically disturbed areas. We call this critical-area
seeding. The process is to drill seed, then blow on native grass hay, and
finally crimp it into the soil. We require that native grass hay be used
because it crimps in better than straw and carries with it additional seed.
We have experimented with seeding annuals, such as oats, and have
found it works well as a substitute to blowing and crimping hay.
We have a good relationship with the Corps of Engineers at Pueblo,
Colorado. We worked with them in the development of a programmatic
agreement for the 404 permitting process.
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