USDA Forest Service
Daniel Boone
National Forest
1700 Bypass Road
Winchester, KY 40391

Phone: 859-745-3100
FAX: 859-744-1568

Forest Service hosting open house on invasive species suppression

Contact: Kimberly Morgan

(859) 745-3107  

WINCHESTER, Ky., July 17, 2009 –The Daniel Boone National Forest is hosting an open house for two separate project proposals regarding invasive species suppression and control. During the open house, resource management specialists will be available to discuss each project and to take questions from the public. The agency i s currently seeking public comments concerning each project, including the various proposed treatment methods and other management activities that will reduce or eliminate invasive species populations.

One of the projects for discussion at the open house involves the suppression of the hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), a non-native insect that was confirmed in eastern Kentucky in spring 2006. Since that time, the pest has spread to include the Daniel Boone National Forest. The adelgid presents one of the greatest threats to Kentucky’s forests since the chestnut blight, potentially eliminating eastern hemlock along rivers and streams.

The second project for public review and comment during the open house is the treatment of non-native invasive plant species occurring on national forest lands. Several invasive plants are threatening the viability of native plant species, some rare. Various treatment methods may be considered for more than 50 invasive plants.

“We want the public to have every opportunity to take part in the management efforts dealing with the non-native invasive species that are threatening our national forest lands and the Commonwealth,” said Acting Forest Supervisor Bill Lorenz. “These pests can have detrimental effects to our native species and their habitats, and we must take action to prevent as much of that as possible.”

The open house will be held at the Supervisor’s Office at 1700 Bypass Road in Winchester, Ky. on Tuesday, July 28 from 2 to 6 p.m. All interested parties are encouraged to attend. For more information, call 859-745-3100.

The open house will provide the public an opportunity to become involved during the early planning stages for treatment of HWA and non-native invasive plant species. The public comment period for the HWA project was scheduled to end on July 27, but comments will be taken during the open house on the following day.