DESCHUTES NATIONAL FOREST

NOXIOUS WEED CONTROL

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

The Deschutes National Forest is proposing to treat noxious weeds with several different methods throughout Deschutes National Forest lands. The goal is to determine through analysis, the appropriate treatment methods for controlling or eradicating selected noxious weed populations.

This Environmental Assessment proposes active management on 166 of the 235 sites. Factors considered in site selection for treatment include a medium to high probability of successful treatment, a high potential for spread if not treated, and a potential for damage to adjacent native plant communities. Of the 69 other sites (approximately 1,070 acres), no treatment would be proposed due to the noxious weed species being a lower priority as determined by the population's lower potential rate of spread, lack of known effective treatment methods, population size, location to other resources and that other species are a higher priority for treatment. Many sites are proposed for a variety of treatment methods over a period of several years in order to use the most effective combination of methods to control or eradicate noxious weed populations.

Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact - December 16, 1998

EA - December 1998

EA - September 1998