Date: July 11, 2011
Contact: Ace Crawford, 605-574-3185
(Keystone, SD) On Tuesday, July 12, 2011 Mount Rushmore National Memorial will continue implementing the Mountain Pine Beetle Assessment and Action Plan to address the mountain pine beetle (MPB) epidemic that is occurring in the central Black Hills.
The first phase of the spraying took place in June 2010, and those same trees will be sprayed again this year, with over 750 trees slated for treatment during the month of July. Carbaryl 7SL insecticide spray is the chosen product for this project. It has proven success in the Black Hills and has also been used in Rocky Mountain National Park to combat the MPB. Trees will be sprayed on their trunks by spray units on the ground.
Spraying is scheduled to occur in the early morning hours, with some visitor areas closed to the public until several hours following the completion of the spraying. To ensure the health and safety of park visitors and staff, areas that have been sprayed will be closed to visitors and staff for approximately 3-5 hours while the carbaryl dries on the trees. Signs will be posted near the sprayed areas to identify trees that have been sprayed, and once the trees are dry, those areas will be safe to reenter. Areas will be sprayed in sections and include trees along the Presidential Trail, around the historic Sculptor’s Studio and along the roadways.
These continued proactive and preventative measures are designed to help protect the park’s forest from the worst damage caused by the current MPB epidemic. The most active area of MPB infestation and highest concentration of tree mortality is in close proximity to the Memorial and the oncoming infestation has recently been observed within the park as well.
For further information, Incident Commander Bruce Weisman can be reached at 605.574.3168.
