Omaha, Neb. – A draft environmental assessment for the control of saltcedar and Russian olive at the Fort Peck Reservoir, Mont. is currently available for public review. The draft EA evaluates the environmental impacts of controlling the spread of these noxious weeds through aerial application of aquatically-approved herbicides for large infestations and the use of foliar, cut-stump and basal bark application methods for small areas of infestation.
This draft EA is consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, the Council on Environmental Quality’s regulations for implementing NEPA (40 CFR 1500-1508), the Corps’ regulations for implementing NEPA (33 CFR 325 and Engineering Regulation 200-2-2) and other applicable environmental laws and regulations.
The purpose of the proposed project is to control the spread of saltcedar and Russian olive within the Fort Peck Reservoir by utilizing a variety of methods. Large infestations will be treated by aerial application of aquatically-approved herbicides imazapyr and glyphosate. Individual stands and areas of small infestations will be treated with foliar, cut-stump and basal bark application of the herbicides triclopyr, imazapyr and glyphosate.
The proposed project stems from the requirement to meet the National Invasive Species Act of 1996 as well as to comply with the Corps’ policy on control of noxious weeds.
The public is encouraged to provide comments on the draft environmental assessment, which is available for viewing at: http://www.nwo.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/Planning/EnvironmentalPlanning/DraftDocuments.aspx. Comments can be mailed to: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District; CENWO-PM-AC; ATTN: Fort Peck Salt Cedar EA; 1616 Capitol Avenue; Omaha, NE 68102-4901. Comments can also be emailed to: cenwo-planning@usace.army.mil. Comments must be postmarked or received no later than November 21, 2013.
Release no. 20131023-001