Tree removal to begin at Merritt Reservoir

A tree removal project beginning at Merritt Reservoir aims to restore prairie habitat in areas choked by undesirable trees.

Revitalizing the grassland will benefit plant and animals and open spaces for hunting, fishing, birdwatching and hiking.

Starting in mid-December, contractors hired by Nebraska Game and Parks will remove eastern red cedar and Rocky Mountain juniper from the prairie and shelterbelts at the wildlife management area and state recreation area near Valentine.

Shelterbelts of pine and deciduous trees on the WMA and SRA will be maintained to provide shade and cover for campers, picnickers and wildlife, such as deer. Trees along the Snake River and Merritt Reservoir will only be removed if necessary to allow for access to juniper encroachment.

The removals are part of a larger effort to protect the Sandhills prairies, which are a unique set of grasses, forbs, sedges and woody plants. Together, they provide essential habitat for both game species — such as sharp-tailed grouse, greater prairie-chicken and mule deer — and at-risk or endangered species, such as Blanding’s turtles, American burying beetles and regal fritillary butterflies.

The U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and private landowners already have removed cedar trees on their properties, and this effort will continue on public and private lands in the area to preserve or restore grasslands. These properties will then be managed to prevent regeneration of trees.

Benefits of tree removal include:

• preserved prairies; the Sandhills is one of the last intact grasslands in the world;
• improved grass and forb production for livestock; and
• reduced wildfire danger to homes, park facilities and campgrounds.

Trees that are removed will be mulched or used in the reservoir to create aquatic habitat for fish. Trees too big to mulch will be piled to burn later.

Merritt Reservoir was completed by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for irrigation purposes in 1964. Game and Parks manages the reservoir and surrounding prairies for wildlife and recreation.

Game and Parks is coordinating this regional project along with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.