CHADRON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service seeks comments on the Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands’ project that would expand treatment of undesirable plant species, including invasive, noxious, non-native, and undesirable native plant species. Management of specific native plants is for the purpose of maintaining established desired conditions described in the Forests’ land and resource management plan. The Notice of Intent on the Undesirable Plant Management Project has been published in the Federal Register. The Notice of Intent initiates the National Environmental Policy Act Planning process. The comment period begins on the day of publication and will continue for 45 days through Feb. 27, 2023.
Undesirable plant species threaten wildlife habitat and desirable native plant communities, undermine the health of watersheds and increase wildfire risk. The project proposes using a full spectrum of available tools to treat undesirable species and manage their spread, such as mechanical treatments, aerial and ground application of herbicides, biological agents and managing native species. The project area will encompass the entire Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands.
More information on the Undesirable Plant Management Project is available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=62500 or by contacting Kim Dolatta at (308) 432-0323 or Kimberly.Dolatta@usda.gov.
To view the Notice of Intent and make comments visit the Federal Register website: https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2023-00361. The public may submit comments using the instructions listed in the Federal Register notice or by email at sm.fs.NNFG_EIS_NOI@usda.gov with “Undesirable Plant Management Project” in the subject line. Comments may also be submitted by mail at Forest Supervisor, 125 North Main Street, Chadron, NE 69337, or faxed to (308) 432-0309.