Invasive Plant Management Plan

Date: February 13, 2008
Contact: Laura Rotegard, Superintendent, 406-846-2070 x.221

Grant-Kohrs Ranch NHS

Now Accepting Comments on Invasive Plant Management Plan Development

Superintendent Laura Rotegard has announced the combined development of an Invasive Plant Management Plan that will involve ten parks located in the northern Rocky Mountains, including Grant-Kohrs Ranch NHS.  This plan will be used to direct the management of invasive plants and will include the use of a suite of tools that allow the park to effectively manage area natural and cultural resources with minimal effects from non-native invasive plants.

"We want to know what people think we should be doing to manage invasive plants in these parks.  We are trying to find out what issues are important to ensure that they are included in the environmental impact analysis process," said Superintendent Rotegard.

Those wishing to provide comments should submit them in writing as soon as possible, but no later than March 15 to:  Superintendent Laura Rotegard, Grant-Kohrs Ranch NHS, 266 Warren Lane, Deer Lodge, MT  59722 or via e-mail to https://parkplanning.nps.gov/gosp before the end of this public scoping period. 

Please contact the park if you wish to be added to the mailing list for more information about this project.  Remember that unless requested otherwise, a list of all those that comment during public review periods, including their addresses, is available upon request.

A second opportunity for public comments will be available next year when the Invasive Plant Management Plan/Environmental Assessment is released.  The Environmental Assessment will analyze alternatives derived from comments provided at this time, including those received from other parks involved in this planning process.  Other parks involved in the planning effort include: Big Hole National Battlefield (Montana), City of Rocks National Reserve (Idaho), Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve (Idaho), Fossil Butte National Monument (Wyoming), Golden Spike National Historic Site (Utah), Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument (Idaho), Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument (Montana), Minidoka Internment National Monument (Idaho), and Nez Perce National Historical Park, Bear Paw Battlefield Site (Montana).

-NPS-

Northern Rocky Mountain Invasive Plant Management Plan

Working Draft Purpose and Need

National Park Service Northern Rocky Mountain Exotic Plant Management Team

The following working draft purpose and need are being used to guide the planning process.

Purpose

1.       Create an invasive plant management plan for 10 parks in the Northern Rocky Mountains.

2.       Prevent and reduce damage from invasive plants using environmentally sound, effective management strategies that limit risk to people, park resources and the environment.

3.       Preserve, protect, maintain and restore native intact plant communities and cultural landscapes as directed by laws, regulations, and policies. 

4.       Reduce the introduction, distribution and proliferation (spread) of invasive plants as appropriate to achieve park management objectives. 

5.       Use the plan as a tool to communicate the importance of invasive plant management and to collaborate with park staff, partners and the public.

Need

1.       Establish a flexible process that fully uses IPM tools to direct invasive plant management activities and which includes criteria to prioritize management (actions, areas, invasive plants, resources, etc.). 

2.       Improve compliance with federal and state noxious weed laws and collaborate and communicate more effectively with park partners.

3.       Increase education and awareness about invasive plants and their management for park staff and the public.

4.       Integrate internal processes, plans, activities, programs and park resources across divisions, regions and programs.

5.       Monitor the status and effectiveness of the invasive plant management program to guide future management decisions.

6.       Implement a transparent process that incorporates environmentally sound and sustainable invasive plant management policies (limits toxicity and is effective).

7.       Apply the best technical and scientific information available and use an array of mitigation and prevention techniques, Best Management Practices (BMP) and pesticide use standards.

8.       Ensure the safety of park staff and visitors through implementation of the invasive plant management program.