Rawlins Field Office
| Contacts: | Serena Baker, | |||
| 307-212-0197 |
Invasive Plant Treatment Assessment Available for Comment
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Rawlins Field Office (RFO) is launching a 2-week public scoping period seeking comment on the invasive plant treatment assessment (EA).
The project, more formally known as the Noxious and Invasive Weed Control and Commercial Site Vegetation Control Programs EA, would utilize chemical, biological, and physical treatment methods. The priority would be to reduce and eliminate, where possible, small new infestations, and to control large infestations of noxious weeds. Invasive plant species are non-native plants whose introduction is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.
An exact inventory of noxious and invasive species in the RFO has not been done, but the percentage of land estimated to be infested (excluding cheatgrass) is relatively low at approximately 20,000 acres. Historically, the RFO treats an average of 2,000 acres of weeds per year.
Written substantive comments are most helpful if they cite specific actions or impacts, and offer informed analysis. Comments are requested by April 5, and may be submitted via email, mail, facsimile, or hand-delivery during regular business hours (7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) to:
BLM Rawlins Field Office
Attn: Susan Foley
1300 N. Third Street
Rawlins, WY 82301
Email: InvasiveWeedTreatment_EA_RFO_WY@blm.gov
Facsimile: 307-328-4224
A copy of the EA can be found at: www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/info/NEPA/documents/rfo/ipm.html. For specific questions, contact Susan Foley, 307-328-4200.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2011, recreational and other activities on BLM-managed land contributed more than $130 billion to the U.S. economy and supported more than 600,000 American jobs. The Bureau is also one of a handful of agencies that collects more revenue than it spends. In FY 2012, nearly $5.7 billion will be generated on lands managed by the BLM, which operates on a $1.1 billion budget. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.
Rawlins Field Office 1300 North Third Rawlins, WY 82301