The Environmental Assessment (EA) for Invasive, Non-native Plant Management in North Cascades National Park Service Complex is now available for review and comment.
You can review the full EA and provide comments at the link below. The NPS proposes to implement an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program to control invasive, non-native plants, restore impacted areas, and detect and prevent new infestations. The purpose of these actions is to protect natural ecosystem dynamics, including the vegetation, wildlife, and other terrestrial and aquatic resources and processes that are threatened by invasive, non-native plants. The proposed actions will also protect and restore the Stephen Mather Wilderness. Although most invasive plant populations are confined to frequently disturbed areas, including roadsides, gravel pits, transmission line corridors, and abandoned home sites, others threaten backcountry and designated wilderness. There are approximately 225 non-native plant species known to exist within the Park Complex, approximately 40 of which are deemed invasive and targeted for control under the Preferred Alternative. These actions are needed because invasive plants can alter the function of an entire ecosystem, and if taken now they will avoid further degradation of uninfested areas, especially designated wilderness where delaying action would make restoration more difficult.
For the purpose of this planning effort, an invasive plant is defined as a non-native species whose introduction does or is likely to cause environmental or economic harm, or harm to human, animal, or plant health. Through this planning effort the NPS has developed a well-rounded program to effectively manage invasive, non-native plants within its boundaries, as well as a strategy to prevent their movement from non-park lands. The proposed IPM program includes strategies for prevention, inventorying and monitoring, control, restoration, and education. Control efforts would be centered on techniques that involve using the most effective, economical, environmentally safe, and socially acceptable methods of management. The public review period began on November 14, 2011 and will conclude on January 11, 2012.
Please visit the project website for more information and to comment on the plan.
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