INVASIVE SPECIES -- A program to prevent a noxious weed from establishing itself along the Snake River watershed in northwest Wyoming is being declared a success.

The Jackson Hole Weed Management Association began the project in 2001 after saltcedar — also known as tamarisk — was discovered along the banks of the Snake River near Hoback Junction.  Tamarisk has taken over shorelines of many rivers in Utah with 7-foot talk willow-like forests along the river bottoms.

Over the last 10 years, 125 saltcedar locations were located, mapped and treated.

The effort has kept saltcedar from establishing itself along the Snake River from Jackson Lake dam to Palisades Reservoir. During the 2009 and 2010 surveys, no new saltcedar infestations were located, and all prior infestations showed no new plants.

But program managers tell the Jackson Hole News & Guide that vigilance is needed to prevent infestations by other unwanted plants.