Weed Management Plan Environmental Assessment Available for Review

Date: April 2, 2008
Contact: Darlene Koontz, [phone], ext. 5101

Lassen Volcanic National Park Weed Management Plan Environmental Assessment Available for Review

Lassen Volcanic National Park Superintendent Darlene Koontz announced that an Environmental Assessment (EA) for a proposed Weed Management Plan (WMP) has been prepared and is now available for public review and comment. In the EA, the park proposes to implement a plan to manage invasive (weedy) plants and native plant species within the park’s boundaries.

The purposes of this plan are to:

• Decrease weed plant cover and increase native plant cover;
• Document and standardize best management practices to more effectively meet goals and objectives;
• Provide options or tools to managers in reducing the threat to natural and cultural resources;
• Use monitoring to more effectively implement and adapt management practices;
• Determine the minimum tool/treatment or combinations of treatments that support Wilderness Values to restore functioning native plant communities;
• Develop a document that will meet required federal and state environmental compliance;
• Develop a document that will provide future direction for weed-related projects that fall under its scope;
• Restore native plant communities and wildlife habitat to reduce the park resources dedicated to weed removal.

This EA analyzes two alternatives developed by an interdisciplinary planning team:

• Alternative 1- No Action-(Continue with Current Management Program)
• Alternative 2-Integrated Pest Management Plan

After careful consideration of the two alternatives, the park is proposing a preferred alternative-Alternative 2-Integrated Pest Management Plan. This alternative appears to have the most potential to accomplish the purpose and needs of the plan, and is also the environmentally preferred alternative. This alternative proposes to continue the use of the current management strategies for preventing, surveying, treating, and monitoring weeds and in addition it proposes to use 4 new strategies. The four new proposed strategies include: 1) limited use of chemical treatments; 2) wilting (a brief application of heat from a propane torch); 3) providing a set process for determining the strategies, treatments, and prioritization of species in the future if new exotic species are discovered; and 4) implementing Best Management Practices.

The park is soliciting public input and comments on this important planning process. The environmental assessment is available at www.nps.gov/lavo, or to request a copy, please contact the Superintendent, Lassen Volcanic National Park, P.O. Box 100, Mineral, CA 96063, or call 1-530-595-4444, ext. 5101, Monday through Friday, except holidays, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The review period for this document will end on Friday, May 9, 2008. All review comments must be received by that time and should be sent to the Superintendent at the above address or email us at: e-mail us.