FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 10, 2008 

The Canyons of the Ancients National Monument is accepting public comments on a Preliminary Environmental Assessment for a proposal to conduct aerial treatments of tamarisk and Russian olive on BLM lands within the Monument. Herbicide treatments are needed on these species, which have replaced native cottonwoods, willows, grasses, and forbs in many riparian areas within the Monument. The resulting tamarisk thickets provide poor wildlife habitat, increase fire hazards, limit human use of waterways, and generally use more water than native vegetation. The herbicide would be applied using a helicopter, since aerial application can be conducted cheaper and more safely than ground treatment methods. The herbicide proposed for treatments is appropriate for aquatic use, and contains the active ingredient imazapyr. 

The treatments are generally expected to occur in drainage bottoms and around ponds. No treatments would occur in wilderness or wilderness study areas. This herbicide is water soluble and breaks down rapidly in sunlight. 

Written public comments must be postmarked by July 11, 2008 and mailed to Manager, Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, 27501 Highway 184, Dolores, CO 81323. No electronic or verbal comments will be accepted. 

The EA is available on the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument website at: www.blm.gov/co/st/en/nm/canm/nepa_documents.html. Paper copies of the EA will be available at the Anasazi Heritage Center, 27501 Highway 184, Dolores, CO, and at the Dolores Public Lands Office, 29211 Highway 184, Dolores. 

For more information, contact Roger Baker at the Dolores Public Lands Office at 970-882-6816.