Regulacje i polityka gospodarcza · 23/12/1996

Tansy Ragwort Control Project, Tally Lake Ranger District, Flathead National Forest, Flathead and Lincoln Counties, State of Montana

The Forest Service will prepare an environmental analysis to disclose the environmental effects of a variety of actions to control tansy ragwort, a non-native noxious weed, by preventing existing populations from producing seed in 1997 and beyond. These actions include aerial application and hand-spraying of herbicides, hand- pulling of individual plants, restriction of motorized travel on some sections of Forest Service roads, introduction of biological control agents, and intensive monitoring to determine the effectiveness of these actions and to provide up-to-date information on the status of the infestation. An EIS is planned because aerial application of chemicals is classified as an action requiring the preparation of an EIS by Forest Service Handbook 1909.15 Chapter 20.6 (Classes of Actions Requiring Environmental Impact Statements). Considering the emergency situation of the current tansy ragwort infestation and the need to take action by early summer of 1997, the Flathead National Forest is exploring alternatives to what is outlined in the Forest Service Handbook, such as classifying aerial spraying as an emergency under 40 CFR 1506.11. We anticipate that tansy ragwort wil