Lassen Volcanic National Park to P'07 Assessment for Weed Management Plan.

Date: December 19, 2007

Lassen Volcanic National Park is currently in the process of preparing an Environmental Assessment for a Weed Management Plan. An increase in distribution and dominance of exotic plant species (weeds) has lead to competition with native species and the disruption of ecological systems. Lassen Volcanic National Park is creating a plan to help guide the future management of these weed species. The purposes of the plan will be to: 1) decrease weed plant cover and increase native plant cover, 2) document and standardize best management practices to more effectively meet goals and objectives, 3) provide options or tools for managers in reducing the threat to natural and cultural resources, 4) use monitoring to more effectively implement and adapt management practices, 5) develop a document that will meet required federal and state environmental compliance, 6) develop a document that will umbrella future weed-related projects that fall under its scope, and 7) restore native plant communities and wildlife habitat to reduce the park resources dedicated to weed removal. Proposed treatments for managing these species could include, but may not be limited to, manual, mechanical, chemical, and flaming treatments. Appropriate levels of surveying and monitoring for existing and new weed species would also be a part of the proposed plan.

An Environmental Assessment is being written in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and will be available for review in the winter of 2008. If you have any environmental concerns regarding this plan that you would like to make sure are addressed in the Environmental Assessment or if you would like to be placed on the park’s mailing list to receive a copy of the Environmental Assessment when it is completed, please write to: Superintendent, Lassen Volcanic National Park, P.O. Box 100, Mineral, CA 96063.

For park information, please visit the park website at: www.nps.gov/lavo or contact Park Headquarters at [phone], Monday through Friday, except holidays, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.