BLM New Mexico to combat invasive grasses with aerial herbicide treatments
TAOS, N.M. – Starting in the last two weeks of September, the Bureau of Land Management will conduct an herbicide application using aerial drones to reduce the spread of Cheatgrass, noxious weeds, and wildfire fuels across approximately 330 acres of the Cerro de la Olla. In addition, BLM staff will also conduct a non-aerial herbicide treatment to Saltcedar within the Cañada de Ojo Sarco.
Concurrently, there is an ongoing active seeding effort across the Río Grande del Norte National Monument. The treatments are expected to be completed by Oct. 1.
Cheatgrass has grown significantly in the area following the 2000 Pot Mountain Fire. A non-native plant, Cheatgrass hinders native plant re-establishment while presenting a wildfire risk. The herbicide treatment will target Cheatgrass seeds in the fall when native plants are dormant, helping to protect nearby communities and wildlife habitats by reducing potential wildfire fuels.
“Cheatgrass is a serious risk to the health and preservation of our public lands,” said BLM Taos Field Office manager Eric Valencia. “This treatment is an important piece of our efforts to restore native plants and reduce wildfire risk.”
Aerial drones will deliver the herbicide Plataeu, a formulation of the active ingredient imazapic, to terminate germinating Cheatgrass seeds in the affected area. Imazapic is non-toxic to organisms not targeted in the treatment, including mammals, birds and insects. In 2023, the BLM conducted a small-scale study within the burn scar on Pot Mountain which demonstrated that herbicide application resulted in a 32% reduction in Cheatgrass cover and a 13% increase in native grass cover.
All treated areas will remain open to the public, but the BLM requests that visitors give space to staff, drones and other equipment required for the treatment. Recreational drone use within the treatment area will be temporarily prohibited during the treatment. Signs announcing the treatment will be posted along BLM Road TP 120 near Cerro de la Olla.
This project is part of a Rapid Response Weed Treatment proposal. Learn more about the proposal on the BLM National NEPA Register.
For more information, please contact BLM Taos Field Office Natural Resource Specialist Kyle Ott at 575-377-5656.
The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.