USFS to treat 4,800 acres of invasive weeds in C.O.

As part of an ongoing campaign to halt the spread of invasive weeds, land managers plan to treat around 4,800 acres of infestations this year on sites administered by the Deschutes and Ochoco national forests and the Crooked River National Grassland.

Often overlooked or unrecognized by the general public, invasive weeds are a major threat to both public and private lands in Oregon, officials said They reproduce quickly while displacing or altering native plant communities, and they cause long-lasting ecological and economic problems.

Plans this year call for the manual removal of weeds on about 1,800 acres and herbicide treatments using backpack sprayers and OHVs on another 3,000 acres.

Work will follow the design features in the Record of Decision for the 2012 Invasive Plant treatment project.

Treatments will take place along roads, at rock quarry sites, and at some other areas with a high disturbance. For a map of planned treatment sites, visit: http://www.fs.usda.gov/deschutes or http://www.fs.usda.gov/ochoco.

Implementation will be carried out by the Forest Service and a number of government and non-profit partners throughout Central Oregon.

Infestations can and do spread to many different places and as a result of multiple kinds of activities, including motorized travel, horse riding, mountain biking, hiking, and even in the fur of dogs.

Despite aggressive treatment, invasive infestations across the two forests and grassland have increased by more than 500 percent over the last 17 years, from 2,200 acres during a 1998 mapping to 14,500 acres during a 2012 mapping.

Invasive plants increase fire hazards, degrade fish and wildlife habitat, displace native plants, impair water quality, and even degrade scenic beauty and recreational opportunities. They also reduce forage opportunities for livestock and wildlife.

A study last year by the Oregon Department of Agriculture found that invasive weeds cost Oregon’s economy $83.5 million annually.

Forest Service land managers employ an Early Detection / Rapid Response (EDRR) strategy for mapping and treating invasive infestations.

EDRR increases the chances of successfully restoring invasive plant sites by treating new infestations before they become large, thereby reducing the time and cost associated with treatment and the potential ecological damage.

Anyone who wishes to help land managers map infestations can do so using a simple app and a smartphone. Visit https://www.eddmaps.org/ for more information.

To learn more about the threat of invasive weeds and how you can help prevent them, visit http://www.playcleango.org .