News
Release
USDA Forest Service
Pacific Northwest Region
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USDA Forest Service takes on invasive weed challenge
PORTLAND, September 17, 2002 - The Pacific Northwest has a serious invasive plant problem. The USDA Forest Service is looking at integrated ways to prevent future infestations, manage existing problems, and restore affected sites, says acting Regional Forester Linda Goodman.
Goodman notes approximately 400,000 acres of national forests and national grasslands in the Pacific Northwest are affected by infestations of invasive, non-native plants.
Most invasive plant species are introduced to North America from Europe or Asia. They may come accidentally, or they may have been brought in on purpose. Examples of accidental introduction include the transport of seeds or plants in the ballast of ships, in the fleece and hair of livestock, in clothing, and as contaminants in seed lots. Intentional introductions are made for reasons including medicine, dyes, forage, erosion control and ornamental plants, to name a few.
“For the purpose of this project, invasive plants (aka noxious weeds or exotics) are those plants that harm natural resources or the people who enjoy them,” Goodman adds. “To date approximately 95 invasive plant species have been reported on national forest lands in Oregon and Washington.”
To address it, the Forest Service in the Pacific Northwest has chartered a team to prepare an environmental impact statement that looks at integrated ways to deal with the invasive plant species problem.
“This environmental impact statement project will give us a clearer and more comprehensive set of standards and guidelines for our Forest Plans, and allow us to be more effective in preventing and more timely in controlling invasive species,” says team leader Gene Skrine. “Prevention, early detection, early treatment and restoration are our best and most cost-effective tools for combating invasive plants.”
Team members will consider a variety of prevention and treatment strategies. Among the possibilities are biological controls (insects that feed on undesirable plants), herbicides, cultural measures such as hand pulling plants, and prevention practices (for example, cleaning equipment or assuring that only weed-free hay goes into uninfested areas).
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When done, the resulting environmental impact statement will be the basis for changes to the Forest Plans for national forests in the Pacific Northwest. Public forums will be part of that process, says Skrine. The Forest Service will host three invasive plant forums in Oregon and Washington communities this fall.
“Our team expects to be done by the end of 2003,” says Skrine. “Time is of the essence,” he notes. “These infestations have a high potential to expand and further degrade national forests and grassland through loss of wildlife habitat, loss of rare or endangered plants, decreased biodiversity, degradation of water quality, and loss of recreation opportunities.”
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Where to find out more…
Additional information about the environmental impact statement and the invasive plant problem can be found at http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/invasiveplant-eis/, by contacting Gene Skrine at 503-326-4310, or by writing the team at:
Invasive Plant Project, USDA Forest Service, PO Box 3623, Portland, OR 97208
The dates and locations for invasive plants forums are as follows:
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Location |
Host Forest |
Date |
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Wenatchee, Washington Wenatchee Conference Center, North Ballroom |
Okanogan/Wenatchee National Forest |
November 13, 2002 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm |
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Baker City, Oregon Best Western Sunridge Inn |
Wallowa-Whitman National Forest |
November 16, 2002 10:00 am – 4:00 pm |
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Roseburg, Oregon Roseburg Public Library |
Umpqua National Forest |
November 20, 2002 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm |
Sidebar 2
What are invasive plants… and
what’s the big deal?
- Invasive species are distinguished from other unwanted plants by their ability to spread (invade) into native ecosystems.
- In the western United States, invasive species have been spreading at a rate of about 4,600 acres per day on federal lands.
- Oregon State Department of Agriculture estimates indicate that existing and potential invasive plants are costing Oregon citizens a total of about $100 million per year.
- Invasive species are typically non-native, however, not all non-native species are invasive. The terms alien and exotic are used interchangeably to describe an unwanted plant that has been introduced to an environment.
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