Project Description
RA Atmore is the chief contractor for the Upper Santa Clara River Watershed Arundo and Tamarisk Removal Program (SCARP). This is a full scale environmental restoration program that focuses on eradicating invasive Arundo (Giant Reed) and Tamarisk in the Santa Clara River riparian area. Since 2013 RA Atmore has removed over 182 tons of Arundo and Tamarisk or 14.54 acres worth in total.
The project is expected to have many direct, long term benefits to native plant and wildlife populations, including:
- Increased habitat for federally listed species such as Least Bell’s vireo, Southwestern Willow flycatcher, and Yellow‐Billed cuckoo, Arroyo Toad and California Red Legged Frog
- Reduction of the risk of wildfire and flooding
- Improvement in water quality and quantity
- Improvement of the overall quality of wildlife habitat in this riparian corridor
- Expansion of native plants found in the preferred breeding habitat (such as willows and cottonwood.
- Creation of potential foraging areas through the removal of arundo monocultures within the project site.
