Public Input Sought on Environmental Assessment for Weed Management Plan at Badlands National Park

The National Park Service has available for public comment an Environmental Assessment (EA) for management of weeds at Badlands National Park. This assessment has been prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and the National Historic Preservation Act. The comment period is from March 13 through April 11, 2003. An Adobe Acrobat file (.PDF format) can be accessed via the Internet at http://www.nps.gov/badl or the .PDF file can be sent electronically by requesting a copy from linda_williams@nps.gov Reviewers are invited to submit in writing any issues or concerns regarding this management plan. Please direct comments to Superintendent, Badlands National Park P.O. Box 6 Interior, SD 57750 or email to badl_planning@nps.gov Comments must be received by April 11, 2003 to receive full consideration.

Additionally, an open house will be held in the Badlands National Park Conference Room on Thursday, March 27 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Resource managers will be on hand to answer questions about weed management activities and to record comments on the EA from those in attendance.

Badlands National Park's mixed grass prairie is one of the largest and finest remnants in the National Park System hosting many species of plants and animals, including some non-native plant species that interfere with park management objectives. The establishment of weeds can displace native species, poison wildlife, degrade critical wildlife habitat, and interfere with visitor enjoyment. Furthermore, weeds originating in the park may invade surrounding lands, causing economic hardship for private landowners and interfering with management of other public lands. The purpose of the Weed Management Plan is to prescribe a long-term integrated weed management program for the park, located in portions of Pennington, Jackson, and Shannon Counties, South Dakota.

Questions regarding the Weed Management Plan EA can be directed to Natural Resource Management Specialist Sandee Dingman at (605) 433-5262 or by sending an email to badl_planning@nps.gov