Invasive plant treatment under way in C.O.

The Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests and the Crooked River National Grassland will treat more than 5,150 acres for invasive plants this year, using both manual and herbicide treatments.

Work has already begun in several locations, officials said Wednesday.

Treatments will be implemented following the design features in the Record of Decision for the 2012 Invasive Plant treatment project. Treatment sites will be signed at the time of treatment.

The majority of herbicide treatments will be spot application using backpack sprayers and OHVs. In areas where the dominant plant community is invasive species, application may be completed by broadcast spraying. Hand pulling will occur within protected areas, such as stream buffers, and as a follow-up treatment at some sites.

This year’s plans call for herbicide treatment on 2,496 acres and manual treatment on another 2,520 acres.

“The vast majority of herbicide treatment will consist of spot spraying weeds along road shoulders with the herbicide Transline. Transline is a selective herbicide that targets four plant families and does not harm grasses,” said Sarah Callaghan, Invasive Plant Program Manager for the two Forests and Grassland.

Another 155 acres on 18 sites will be treated in areas mapped using an Early Detection/Rapid Response strategy.

The Early Detection/Rapid Response strategy is ideal to treat infestations before they become too large, therefore reducing the time and cost associated with treatment, as well as potential damage to the ecosystem from the new infestation, Callaghan said.

For maps and a list of sites, please visit the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests and Crooked River National Grassland web site at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/centraloregon/alerts-notices/?aid=23703

For more information on treatments, contact Sarah Callaghan, Invasive Plant Program Manager, at (541) 416-6588.