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Springdale authorizes up to $71,332 more to expand Russian‑olive removal on Trees Ranch
Summary
Council approved increasing the service area for a Russian‑olive and tamarisk removal project, authorizing up to 34 additional acres at $2,098 per acre; funding comes from the US Forest Service grant and a $150,000 match from Trees Ranch owners.
The Springdale Town Council on Oct. 8 authorized expanding an existing contract with Summit Forest LLC to treat additional acres on Trees Ranch for invasive vegetation, chiefly Russian‑olive and tamarisk. Staff said the town’s U.S. Forest Service grant plus a cash match from the landowner together cover the additional work.
Town staff member Tom Dancy told the council that Summit Forest’s contract sets a per‑acre rate of $2,098 and the project could expand by up to about 34 additional acres. At that rate, staff recommended authorizing up to $71,332 in additional work to allow flexibility while final acreage is confirmed. Dancy said Tree’s Ranch owners agreed to shift most of their previously planned in‑kind labor match into cash, which increases available cash to pay crews directly and allows treating more area than initially anticipated.
The town is the grant recipient and will invoice the contractor; it will then obtain reimbursement from the U.S. Forest Service grant and the Trees Ranch cash match. Councilmembers asked clarifying questions about whether the existing contract needed revision; staff replied the contract already authorized adding acreage at the stated per‑acre rate and that no formal contract amendment was required to increase work within the per‑acre pricing framework.
Councilmember Pat Campbell moved to authorize adding up to 34 acres of treatment and associated costs not to exceed $71,332; Randy Aton seconded. The council voted aye on the motion; Mayor Barbara Bruno was authorized to sign related approvals.
The town’s vegetation removal effort combines Utah Conservation Corps crews and the Summit Forest contractor; staff said the larger cash match makes it possible to treat nearly all targeted areas on Trees Ranch that were previously thought to be out of budget.
