News Release

Integrated Pest Management Plan Update

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Date: March 5, 2019
Contact: Karen Frankenfeld, (307) 467-5283 x214

Devils Tower National Monument Integrated Pest Management Plan Reduced from Environmental Assessment to Categorical Exclusion


In 2012, the National Park Service (NPS) notified the public that an environmental assessment (EA) would be prepared to analyze the potential environmental effects on park lands identified in the Devils Tower National Monument Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan. This notice is to inform the public that the analysis of the proposed action and associated impacts has been reduced to a degree that an EA is no longer required. Completing the feasibility studies falls within the status of a categorical exclusion (CE) and, since no extraordinary circumstances apply, a CE is the most appropriate pathway to fulfill our obligation under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA).

The Devils Tower IPM plan is a science-based planning tool that coordinates knowledge of pest biology, the environment, and available technology to prevent and control unacceptable levels of pest damage on park land and property. By emphasizing cost-effective processes that pose the least possible risk to people, resources, and the environment, the plan would effectively mitigate the adverse consequences of encroaching insects, animals, and exotic plants. Pests of concern at Devils Tower National Monument include: pine bark beetles, gypsy moths, fleas, ticks, ants, bats, bees, roaches, rodents, spiders, feral cats, and invasive plants including cheat grass, common mullein, dame's rocket, field bind weed, houndstongue, leafy spurge, yellow sweet clover, bull thistle, canada thistle, musk thistle, russian thistle, and scotch thistle. None of the pests listed above are species of concern. There are several options for methods of control including biological, mechanical, and chemical control.

Through the IPM plan a true integrated approach will be used including monitoring and prevention. Action will only be taken when pest levels reach a specific threshold of quantity or a level of potential to harm to resources. All pest management actions will follow NPS IPM policy and all federal pesticide regulations. All pesticides will be approved prior to use through the Pesticide Use Proposal System (PUPS), and usage will be reported for each calendar year. Due to recent internal scoping under current NPS policy, the NPS has determined that an EA is no longer required as the IPM has no measurable environmental impacts. The NPS will prepare a CE rather than an EA to be signed by the park superintendent upon review of the IPM.



Last updated: March 5, 2019

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Mailing Address:

PO Box 10
Devils Tower, WY 82714

Phone:

307 467-5283 x635
Devils Tower National Monument Information Line

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