USDA Forest Service seeks comments on invasive weed plan


PORTLAND, August 27, 2004 - The Pacific Northwest Region has released a
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) addressing the growing problems
caused by invasive plants in National Forests.  When completed, this EIS
will amend all Forest Plans to improve invasive plant prevention and
provide new tools to tackle more than 420,000 acres infested with yellow
star thistle, leafy spurge, and Japanese knotweed.  Public comments on the
DEIS are requested by November 24, 2004, after which they will be analyzed,
leading to a Final EIS and Record of Decision to be issued next Spring.
The EIS team will host eight open houses throughout the Region. [See
attached schedule for details].  Members of the team will be available to
provide information on the DEIS, answer questions and accept comments from
the public.
The "biological wildfire" of non-native invasive plants impacts ecosystems
in every National Forest in the Pacific Northwest, from rare plant bogs of
the Olympic peninsula to the rugged forested rangelands of Hells Canyon, so
a variety of prevention and treatment strategies have been considered.
Among the possibilities are:  1) prevention practices (e.g., cleaning
equipment or assuring only weed-free hay goes into uninfected areas), and
2) treatment methods including manual treatment (e.g., hand pulling
plants), biological controls (insects that feed on undesirable plants), and
herbicides.
Most invasive plant species enter North America from Europe or Asia,
accidentally or on purpose.  Examples of accidental introduction include
seeds or plants transported in the ballast of ships, in the fleece and hair
of livestock, in clothing, and as contaminants in seed lots.  Intentional
introductions include medicine, dyes, forage, erosion control, and
ornamental plants.
Additional information about the DEIS and the invasive plant problem can be
found at
<http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/invasiveplant-eis/>www.fs.fed.us/r6/invasiveplant-eis
or by contacting Gene Skrine at 503-808-2685.  Comments can be submitted by
email to:
<mailto:r6_IPEIS@fs.fed.us?subject=DEIS%20comments>r6_IPEIS@fs.fed.us, or
by writing the team at:  Invasive Plant Project, USDA Forest Service, PO
Box 3623, Portland, OR 97208.

Attachment:



Open Houses-Dates, Times, and Locations

Date
Location
September 16, 2004
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Portland, Oregon
Silver Cloud
11518 NE Glenn Widing Drive
Columbia Trail and Columbia Gorge Rooms
September 21, 2004
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Colville, Washington
Spokane Community College
985 S Elm Street
Dominion and Monumental Rooms
September 22, 2004
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Wenatchee, Washington,
Red Lion
1225 N Wenatchee Ave.
Cascade Room
September 23, 2004
6:00 pm-9:00 pm
Olympia, Washington
Olympic NF Supervisors Office
1835 Black Lake Blvd, SW, Olympia
September 27, 2004
6:00 pm-9:00 pm
Medford, Oregon
Red Lion
200 N Riverside
Douglas Fir Room
September 28, 2004
6:00 pm-9:00 pm
Lakeview, Oregon
Lakeview Interagency Office
1301 South G Street
September 29, 2004
6:00 pm-9:00 pm
Bend, Oregon
Shilo Inn
3105 O.B. Riley Road
Sapphire-Emerald Rooms
September 30, 2004
6:00 pm-9:00 pm
La Grande, Oregon
Eastern Oregon University