Drones, new herbicides: BLM’s Prineville District seeks public input on updated plan to remove invasive plants

PRINEVILLE, Ore. KTVZ) — The Bureau of Land Management's Prineville District is seeking public input on a revised environmental assessment for an invasive plant management project in Central Oregon.

“This is a critical opportunity for the public to help shape how we manage invasive plants across the Prineville District,” said Amanda S. Roberts, Prineville District manager. “We’re looking for feedback that reflects community values while also helping us meet land-use needs.”

Invasive plant species threaten the health of Central Oregon’s landscapes, impacting native vegetation and wildlife habitat, as well as quality and recreation. The BLM is proposing updates to its existing management plan to better address these challenges using a broader set of tools and technologies.

“More than 75 invasive plant species grow in the Prineville District,” said Ian Grinter, project lead. “This updated plan will help us respond more effectively to the growing threat of invasive species and protect the ecological integrity of public lands.”

The proposed updates include:

• Adding 10 new herbicide active ingredients to improve treatment options for a wider variety of invasive plants, including annual and perennial grasses.
• Incorporating new technologies such as drones for aerial herbicide application and monitoring.
• Expanding treatment areas to include lands where new herbicides would be used alongside existing methods.

The BLM team will analyze potential environmental effects of these updates, including impacts to:

• Soil health and water quality
• Riparian habitats and aquatic species
• Wildlife and migratory birds, including greater sage-grouse
• Livestock forage and grazing
• Recreation values and fire risk

The BLM encourages public comments to help identify issues, concerns, and opportunities for improvement. Comments can be submitted online through the project’s ePlanning page at: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2041738/510.

The scoping period runs through Jan. 8.

 Written comments may also be mailed or hand-delivered to:

BLM Prineville District Office

Attn: Integrated Invasive Plant Management EA
3050 NE 3rd Street
Prineville, OR 97754 

Please include “Invasive Plant EA” in the subject line or on the envelope. Comments must be received by Jan. 8, 2026. 

For questions or more information about the project, contact Ian Grinter at igrinter@blm.gov or call (541) 416- 6714.

-BLM-

The BLM manages roughly 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.