Forest Service unveils weed plan

Deschutes National Forest officials will deploy human hands, insects, chemicals and fire to battle noxious weeds invading the forest.

Forest Supervisor Sally Collins released her decision December 10 to treat 166 of 235 known weed sites. Chemical herbicides will be applied at 40 sites on 476 acres. A total of 1,531 acres will be treated by all methods.

According to the Noxious Weed Control Environmental Assessment released September 1998, 16 species of aggressive, non-native plants threaten native plant communities in the Deschutes National Forest.

The species causing the greatest concern include spotted and diffuse knap-weed, dalmatian toadflax and Scotch broom.

Collins said her decision, "provides the best long-term protection to native plant communities because it provides for using herbicides, which can be the most effective tool for controlling noxious weed species such as spotted and diffuse knapweeds."

Hand-pulling and clipping of seed heads will occur at 98 sites on 900.6 acres, mostly near streams and water. Insects will be the agents of destruction on 27 sites, and one site at Big Marsh on the Crescent Ranger District will see prescribed fire for reed canary grass treatment.

Collins' decision is subject to appeal. Written notice of appeals must be filed by January 30, 1999, with Reviewing Officer Robert W. Williams, USDA Forest Service, P.O. Box 3623, Portland, OR 97208; attention: 2080 Appeals.

For information or a copy of the environmental assessment and record of decision, contact Deschutes National Forest Botanist Katie Grenier at 541-383-5564.