RIVERDALE, N.D. -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will conduct vegetation management activities on sandbars in the Missouri River between Garrison Dam and Huff, North Dakota in September. The Bismarck-Mandan River reach, miles 1,325 to 1,310 will not be sprayed. This work is being done to keep the sandbars free of vegetation and usable by the endangered interior least tern and threatened piping plover for nesting.
Certified applicators using helicopters will begin spraying after Labor Day only on the vegetated portions of sandbars. Approximately 625 acres have been identified for treatment by a team of federal and state agency representatives. Spraying will be done with glyphosate and imazapyr, both approved for aquatic use by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency.
Spraying will take place only when environmental conditions allow, such as little to no wind and no rainfall in the immediate forecast. While efforts will be made to conduct spraying during the week when public use is lower, spraying may occur on weekends since good spraying days can be limited due to wind or rain.
The Corps began current vegetation control and removal activities on selected sandbars in 2012 and will continue each spring and/or fall, as needed, into the future.
Release no. 20-087