BLM and partners work to control cheatgrass in Bighorn Basin
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Worland, Wyo. — With a shared commitment to manage for healthy rangelands and reduce wildfire risk, the Bureau of Land Management continues this year to partner with Big Horn, Park and Washakie county weed and pest districts to combat cheatgrass infestations. Aerial treatments will occur from now through mid-September in the following locations:
- Big Horn County in areas around Shell: from Sunlight Gulch west to Horse Creek and Beaver Creek; south of Hwy. 14 in Red Gulch, Red Basin and Trapper Creek
- Park County in areas southeast of Cody: southern Oregon Basin, Elk Butte, Oregon Coulee, Dry Creek and YU Bench; east of Sage Creek to Lake Katrine
- Washakie County in areas southeast of Worland including the Nowater Creek drainage
This project targets areas of cheatgrass infestations on State and BLM-managed lands, and on private lands with partnering landowners. A reduction of this invasive annual grass can lessen wildfire risk, enhance wildlife habitat and improve recreational experiences.
Treatments will involve spraying the herbicides imazapic or indaziflam from a helicopter. Actual spray dates will depend on weather conditions. Treatment areas will remain open but please avoid spraying operations. Areas are safe after spray has dried and flight operations have ceased.
For more information, please contact Big Horn County W&P District Supervisor Cliff Winters at 307-765-2855; Park County W&P District Supervisor Josh Shorb at 307-754-4521; Washakie County W&P District Supervisor Jarrod Glanz at 307-347-8582; BLM Fuels Specialist (Cody) Tim Haas at 307-578-5938; or BLM Fuels Specialist (Worland) Derek Trauntvein at 307-347-5110.
The BLM manages more than 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.