BLM seeks Public Comment on Proposal for Aerial Application of Herbicide to Control Invasive Plants
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SALMON, ID – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is proposing to use aerial application methods (aircraft) to spray noxious weeds and other non-native, invasive plants (together, invasive plants) on public lands within the Salmon Field Office (SFO). The purpose of the proposed action is to expand the capability and effectiveness of the SFO’s existing Integrated Weed Management (IWM) program by adding aerially-applied herbicide use to the existing application methods available to the SFO for containment and control of invasive plants on public lands.
The most common invasive species in the SFO are spotted knapweed, cheatgrass, and leafy spurge. Invasive plants are highly competitive, and left unchecked can alter the structure and function of native plant communities, reduce wildlife habitat effectiveness, and increase the wildfire hazard. Herbicides are one method employed by the SFO as part of an IWM program to manage these plants.
The SFO-IWM program requires effective tools for containment and control of invasive plants to meet land management objectives. In particular, the SFO-IWM program has identified the need for an additional herbicide application option that: 1) enhances rapid treatment response; 2) increases treatment capacity; 3) provides a safe and cost-effective management alternative to ground-based treatments; and 4) provides a management alternative to ground-based treatments that eliminates ground-disturbance.
Aerial applications would be accomplished using helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft. Aerial treatment of invasive plants could occur annually on up to 50,000 acres of public lands within the SFO. This represents approximately 10 percent of the acres of public lands managed by the SFO.
The BLM is currently in the scoping phase of the project and they are accepting input during a 30-day comment period. Information about the proposal is available at: http://1.usa.gov/1T1yYpc. Following the public scoping period, the BLM will prepare an environmental assessment (EA) to analyze potential impacts associated with the project. The public is encouraged to provide comments to help the BLM identify relevant issues that will influence the scope of the analysis and guide the development process for the EA. Written comments on the proposal will be accepted by letter or email until March 31, 2016. Comments sent electronically should be sent to khill@blm.gov with the title “Aerial Application of Herbicide to Control Invasive Plants” in the subject line. Mailed comments should be sent to Kasey Hill, 1206 S. Challis St., Salmon, Idaho 83467.
The primary contact for questions and comments for this analysis is Kasey Hill, Fire Ecologist, 1206 S. Challis St., Salmon, Idaho 83467, 208-756-5480.
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.