Grassland loss to woody encroachment is widespread and ongoing. Mechanical removal of Eastern Red Cedar (ERC) is the most cost-shared practice to address this threat. Cost-share is provided based on acres with different levels of infestation. Delineation of the different levels of infestation is time consuming butrequired to ensure the appropriate amount of cost-share is provided and contractors are not over/under compensated. The Rangeland Brush Estimation Toolbox(RaBET) is geospatial tool that can accurately automate this process. Unfortunately,wet-meadows and other wetland features cause the tool to overestimate woody cover. This project will provide funds to finish the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI). This geospatial dataset can mask wetland features from woody cover analysis thereby significantly improving accuracy. An accurate geospatial tool will streamline contract development andincrease acres treated annually. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) estimates that anautomated process will increase contract delivery by 25% or $250,000 (8,000 acres) annually.
