BNF officials seek comment on Invasive and Other Select Plant Management Project and public meetings

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service is seeking comments on a Bighorn National Forest project that would expand treatment of invasive plant species, including the aggressive Medusahead and Ventenata grasses. 

The Forest Service publishes the Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Invasive and Other Select Plant Management Project on the Bighorn National Forest in the Federal Register on June 18, 2021. This initiates the public comment period on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, which begins on the day after publication and will continue for the following 45 days. Comments will be accepted through August 2, of this year.

Invasive plant species like the Medusahead and Ventenata grasses threaten native plant and wildlife habitat, undermine the health of watersheds, and increase wildfire risk. The project proposes using a full spectrum of available tools to treat invasive species and manage their spread. 

Treatment options include education, mechanical pulling, aerial and ground-based herbicide application, biological agents, and managing native species with mowing, prescribed fire, and herbicides. The proposal also includes the use of herbicides to achieve a desired future condition for habitat structural stages of mountain big sagebrush, while balancing wildlife habitat diversity and livestock foraging opportunities.

Public meetings are scheduled in person

July 7 – 5:30-7:30 at the Big Horn County Weed and Pest office, 4782 Highway 310, Greybull, WY

July 8 – 5:30-7:30 at the Sheridan Fairgrounds, 1753 Victoria St, Sheridan

More information on the Invasive and Other Select Plant Management Project is available here or by contacting Chris Jones at (307) 674-2627 or christopher.d.jones@usda.gov.

The public may submit comments June 19, through August 2, using the instructions listed in the Federal Register notice or by email at comments-bighorn@usda.gov with “Invasive and Other Select Plant Management Project” in the subject line. Comments may also be submitted by mail to: Forest Supervisor, 2013 Eastside 2nd St., Sheridan, WY 82801, or faxed to (307) 674-2668.