Public comment period for aerial herbicide spraying in Bighorns ends in 3 days

Only three days remain to submit public comment on a proposed preparation of an environmental impact statement intended to disclose the effects of continued control of noxious, invasive, and select native plant species through the integration of manual, mechanical, biological, ground herbicide, and aerial herbicide control methods on the Bighorn National Forest. Effects analysis of these treatments will be projected over the next 10 to 20 years. 

According to the proposal document filed with the Federal Register June 6, the purpose of the project is to prevent and reduce the loss of native plant communities associated with the spread of invasive plant species, to meet desired conditions for select native plant species, and to reduce the impacts from invasive plants on other resources.. 

The proposed action would utilize a variety of tools, singularly or in combination, to implement an integrated vegetation management strategy, according to the document.

Those proposed control methods include:

• Mechanical methods, such as hand-pulling, mowing or cutting.
• Revegetation, where competitive vegetation is seeded to reduce invasive species, possibly after other treatments.
• Grazing with livestock.
• Biological control using predators, parasites, and pathogens.
• Herbicide control using ground-based or aerial application methods.
• Prescribed fire.

According to the document, the Forest Service will consider a reasonable range of alternatives, including a no action alternative. The action alternatives could vary in the amount and location of areas considered for treatment. The BNF may consider the herbicide treatment of select native plant species, such as sagebrush and larkspur, as an alternative separate from invasive species, in order to better differentiate the environmental consequences.

Public comment for the proposed EIS must be received by the Forest Supervisor by July 20. Comments may be sent via email to comments-bighorn@usda.gov, or via facsimile to 307-674-2668.  

The notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement can be found at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/06/03/2020-11928/bighorn-national-forest-wyoming-invasive-and-other-select-plant-management.