Omaha, NE – A draft supplemental environmental assessment for the control of saltcedar and Russian olive at the Fort Peck Reservoir, Montana. is currently available for review. The draft supplemental EA evaluates the environmental impacts of controlling the spread of large infestations of these noxious weeds through aerial application of aquatically-approved formulations of the herbicides triclopyr and 2,4-D.
The purpose of the proposed project is to control the spread of saltcedar and Russian olive along the shorelines and adjacent upland areas of the Fort Peck Reservoir in order to meet requirements of the National Invasive Species Act of 1996 and comply with the Corps’ policy on control of noxious weeds. Controlling these invasive species also protects area recreation, fish and wildlife and associated habitat.
This document supplements the 2013 Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact, Control of Saltcedar and Russian Olive, Fort Peck Reservoir, Montana which disclosed the potential environmental impacts of providing chemical control for large infestations of saltcedar and Russian olive through the aerial application of aquatically-approved formulations of imazapyr and glyphostate. Additionally, the 2013 environmental assessment assessed applications of triclopyr, imazapyr and glyphosate through foliar, cut-stump and basal bark methods for small infestations.
Having multiple approved herbicides to utilize on a rotating basis may potentially help prevent herbicide resistance, which is a condition where a plant has the ability to survive and reproduce following exposure to a dose of herbicide that is normally lethal to the plant.
The public is encouraged to provide comments on the draft supplemental environmental assessment, which is available for viewing at online. Comments can be mailed to: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District; CENWO-PM-AC; ATTN: Fort Peck Salt Cedar Supplemental 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 April 12, 2016.
This draft supplemental 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.