Vegetation Treatments Using Herbicides on BLM Lands in

Oregon

Environmental Impact Statement

Presented by Glenn HarkleroadJuly 14, 2008

District Overview

• Listed “noxious weeds” occur on roughly 50,000 acres.

• Most common weeds are the Brooms, Gorse, and Himalayan Blackberry.– Largest infestations – roadsides in the Umpqua Field

Office and North Spit of Coos Bay.

• Challenges include:– new invaders (plants and pathogens)– mixed ownership – cost effectiveness

Brooms and Gorse

• Displace native vegetation / forests• Reduce forage and cover for wildlife• Year round seed production• Long seed life (50+ years)

• Create monocultures• High fire risk• Increase road maintenance

Knotweeds

• Several species: – Japanese, Giant, Bohemian, and Himalayan

• Relatively new invader in Northwest

• Replaces / dominates riparian vegetation

• Very fast growing / rapid colonizer

• Depletes soil of nitrogen

• No effective control once established

European Beachgrass

• Invasive in beach / dune environment• Displaces native plant communities• Alters beach profile

– Higher / steeper foredune

• Loss of open sand adversely affects Western Snowy Plover habitat, slowing species recovery

Yellow Flag Iris

• New invader at New River ACEC

• Replaces native aquatic / shoreline vegetation

• Traps sediment - drying wetlands

• Persistent tuberous root system

• Saltwater tolerant

Integrated Vegetation Management

• Prevention and Education

• Early detection of new invaders

• Coordination with local partners

• Vegetation management treatments

Prevention and Education

Employee / Contractor training and education Weed identification Prevention of spread New infestation reporting

Vehicle washing

requirements in contracts

Local Partnerships

• County Weed Advisory Boards

• Watershed Councils

• Soil and Water Conservation Districts

– Public information and outreach – Weed treatments through agreements– Weed wrench loan program– Technical assistance

Manual Treatments

• Hand pulling Scotch Broom, Gorse, Blackberry, and European Beachgrass

• Mostly done by Northwest Youth Corps– 2004 to 2007 – average of 485 acres annually– 2008 – 310 acres (projected)– 2009 – 420 acres (projected)

Mechanical Treatments

• Roadside right-of-way brushing – Approx 200 acres annually

• Beachgrass bulldozing and disking– Approx. 400 acres annually

Biological Agents

• No biological control (insects) releases have occurred in the last several years

• Scotch Broom & Purple Loosestrife weevils and cinnabar moths have been released in the past

• We are currently working with OSU Extension to develop new biological controls for Gorse

Herbicide Treatments

• Glyphosate and 2,4-D are the two chemicals used on District at this time

– 2004 to 2007 an average of 866 acres annually• Low – 600 ac. in 2004, High – 1,187 ac. in 2006

– Targeted roadside Scotch Broom and Gorse

– Accomplished through contracts

– Spot spraying of individual

plants by certified applicators

Herbicide Treatments

• The Coos Bay District anticipates using herbicides to treat approx. 1000 acres in 2008.

• In 2009 the District is projecting approx. 1,245 acres of herbicide treatment.

• During both years the majority of treatments will focus on roadside treatments of Scotch Broom and Himalayan Blackberry.

Herbicide Treatments• These annual treatments are preceded by approx. 2,500 acres of inventory.

• … and their effectiveness monitored through approx. 1000 acres of evaluation.

• Prior to all roadside treatments, adjacent landowners are notified by letter.

• All treatment areas are signed

to identify that they

have been treated.

Forest Pathogens

• Currently addressing forest pathogens through manual methods and/or prescribed fire.

• Unable to use herbicides to control host plants like other local managers trying to control forest pathogens.

• Sudden Oak Death– 1,450 acres treated since 2001– Coos Bay treated 149 acres in 2007– Quarantine area in Curry Co.

now 166 sq. miles– Still rapidly spreading

• Port Orford Cedar Disease– Roadsides treated manually

prior to timber haul– Seems to be “in check” at this time.

How will the Vegetation Treatment EIS help us address our challenges?

• New Invaders:– Ability to use new herbicides would provide additional

options for treating new invaders– Ability to use herbicides would allow for the treatment of

host species when pathogen specific options aren’t available

• Mixed Ownership:– Ability to use the same herbicides / practices as adjacent

land managers would allow for greater cooperation and effectiveness

• Decreasing Budgets:– Increase cost-effective treatments for roadside

maintenance to meet the demand for access to public lands and provide for public safety

Can you find the Gorse? Himalayan Blackberry? New Invader?

Local BLM contact: Glenn Harkleroad, District Weed Coordinator

541-751-4361 or glenn_harkleroad@blm.gov