Lehigh Joins Yellow Starthistle Battle

Lehigh Southwest Cement Company is joining with Caltrans and other community members to tackle Starthistle infestations on both sides of east Highway 58 including Procter Lake. As a first step they have agreed to pay Michael Ramirez of the Tehachapi Resource Conservation District (TRCD) to map the extent of the infestations on Lehigh property in the area. They then plan to take advantage of the TRCD's low cost spray program to treat the infested areas.

On the other side of the fence Caltrans has agreed to continue spraying Starthistle on their right of way, especially at the fence line where some residual infestation exists. This coordinated approach should eliminate the "through the fence" re-infestation problem.

Plans are being made by TRCD to contact other owners of infested property adjacent to east Highway 58 to invite them to also participate in the eradication effort.

TRCD Board PResident, Bill Miller said, "Lehigh's commitment is a huge step forward in the effort to eliminate Yellow Starthistle from the Tehachapi area, and is very much appreciated".