BLM Vegetation Management EIS - WELCOME!

1. AGENDA Introductions, Meeting Objectives, Meeting Manners EIS – EIS Overview Local Issues, Need, Expectations Next Steps, Timeline Public Comment BLM Vegetation Management EIS - WELCOME!

2. EIS Team, Oregon State Office Todd Thompson, BLM Project Manager Ken Denton, Contract Team Lead Jeanne Standley, BLM Botanist Susan Hale, Contract Meeting Manager District Office , District Manager , District Botanist / Weed Coordinator Introductions

3. Introduce the EIS objectives to the Public Gather information from the public about: Scope of the EIS Issues that should be examined in the EIS Alternatives that should be examined in the EIS Meeting Objectives

4. - Please hold comments until after the presentation - Be respectful of others and varying points of view - Speak only when called upon - Do not interrupt other speakers - Do not have side conversations, which can affect other people’s ability to hear Good Manners

5. Oral comments - We will attempt to record main points - We will ask for clarification - Contribute ideas for issues and alternatives - Avoid repeating comments already made Written comments - Just as important as oral comments - Contribute ideas for issues and alternatives - Complete a comment form at the meeting - Mail or email comments; addresses are provided Providing Comments

7. The BLM is initiating an EIS to examine the effects of adding up to 14 herbicide active ingredients to the 4 currently used to other tools already available to the BLM districts in Oregon for use in their noxious weed, invasive plant, and other weed management programs. Vegetation Treatments EIS

8. Invasive Plants on BLM Lands in Oregon • Of the 15.7 million acres managed by BLM in Oregon: • Invasive plants and noxious weeds currently affect over 1,000,000 acres • Invasive plants & noxious weeds are increasing at an estimated rate of 10% – 15% per year

9. Invasive Plant Damage Invasive plants and noxious weeds invade desirable plant communities and: • Displace native vegetation • Degrade soil fertility and stability • Dominate riparian habitats and degrade water quality • Compete with trees and important forage plants • Harm habitats for fish, wildlife and endangered species • Reduce restoration success

10. Invasive Plant Damage (continued) • Invasive plants and noxious weeds also: • Poison livestock, wildlife, plants, and even people • Reduce native species diversity • Increase fuel loading and the frequency & intensity of wildfire • Reduce recreational access, enjoyment, and aesthetics • Increase land management costs and reduce property values

11. Other weeds are undesirable plants that interfere with land management objectives. The EIS proposes to use herbicides on “other weeds” in rights-of-way, administrative sites, and recreation sites. The EIS proposes to use herbicides on any plants to control pests and diseases and to meet landscape health objectives. Weeds and Other Plants

12. Weed Examples Noxious Weeds– LawHimalayan blackberryJapanese knotweedCanada thistle Scotch broomTansy ragwortKnapweeds Invasive Weeds - Behavior Cheatgrass Dandelion Common periwinkle Sow thistle Teasel Other Weeds - Location Poison oak or ivy Water hemlock Alder English hawthorn

13. Legal Direction • Several Laws and an Executive Order provide for the management and control of invasive vegetation, including: • Noxious Weed Control Act of 2004 • Plant Protection Act of 2000 • Federal Noxious Weed Act of 1974 • Invasive Species Executive Order of 1999 • Carlson-Foley Act of 1968

14. BLM policy for noxious weeds and invasive plants requires: Prevention including education, awareness, and regulation Early detection and eradication of new invaders Control of existing infestations Cooperation with state, counties, and landowners BLM Policy & Plan Direction

15. Treatment methods used to control vegetation include: Biological Fire Mechanical Manual Chemical Other (shade, hot water, etc.) BLM Treatment Methods

16. Manual & Mechanical Treatments • BLM uses both manual & mechanical methods to treat vegetation including invasive plants and noxious weeds • Manual methods such as hand-pulling and mowing are used to treat approximately 5,000 acres per year • Mechanical methods (motorized equipment) and fire are used to treat approximately 11,000 acres annually

17. Biological & Chemical Treatments • BLM also uses biological and chemical controls exclusively on noxious weeds: • Biological methods include insects, pathogens, disease, and directed livestock to target specific noxious weeds on approximately 2,400 acres per year • Herbicides are used alone or in conjunction with other methods to control noxious weeds on approximately 12,000 acres of noxious weeds each year

18. Use of Herbicides • For many weed species, herbicides used alone or in combination with other treatments provide the most effective control. • For certain species, such as Canada thistle, herbicides provide the only practical treatment to meet land management objectives. • Herbicides may be more effective, environmentally friendly, and selective than other treatment options. • Herbicide use may prevent the spread of priority pathogens better than other treatments.

19. National BLM PEIS • In 2007, BLM National Office released the Vegetation Treatments Using Herbicides FinalProgrammatic EIS and Record of Decision (PEIS & ROD) • The PEIS & ROD analyzed and approved national use of 18 herbicides for non-commodity weed management • This decision also specified Standard Operating Procedures and Mitigation Measures (see handouts)

20. Oregon BLMHerbicide Injunction As a result of 1984 and 1987 U.S. District Court Orders, the BLM in Oregon is limited to: • Only four herbicide ingredients: dicamba, glyphosate, picloram, and 2,4-D • Applying these four herbicides only to county, state, and federally listed noxious weeds Other chemicals may not be used on BLM lands at this time, nor may any chemical be used for control of non-noxious invasive plants, or other weed control along rights-of-way such as roads and power lines.

21. Oregon BLMVegetation Treatments EIS • In order to implement the national decision, to address the deficiencies identified by the U.S. District Court, an Oregon-specific programmatic EIS is being prepared. • The Oregon EIS will tier to the National PEIS and adopt its analysis including its human and environmental risk assessments.

22. The Need & Proposed Action • The BLM in Oregon has a Need to treat noxious weeds; treat invasive plants and other weeds in administrative sites, recreation sites, and rights-of-way; treat hazardous fuels; treat forest pests and diseases; and, achieve landscape health objectives. • The Proposed Action is to improve program effectiveness by including 18 herbicide active ingredients with the other (existing) tools being used for treating the above vegetation and areas.

23. INSERT DISTRICT PRESENTATION HERE

24. Vegetation Treatments EIS Scoping Comments The Oregon BLM is seeking public input on: • The scope of the EIS analysis • Issues that should be examined by the EIS • Alternatives that should be examined in the EIS

25. Oregon EIS Issues The OR EIS will provide the BLM Oregon/ Washington State Director with: • A description of all significant environmental effects; and, • Any other information needed to make a reasoned choice from among the alternatives. The topic areas that address these two needs are referred to here as Issues.

26. How would weed management with herbicides affect local resources? Are you aware of research, studies, or local issues that should be considered? Do you have other ideas, suggestions, or concerns that should be included? Make Your Comments Count

27. Vegetation Treatments EIS Preliminary Issues Preliminary Issues include: • Effect on fish and other non-target aquatics • Effect on water quality • Effect on wildlife and other non-target terrestrial organisms including non-target plants • Public and worker health & safety • Treatment effectiveness • Cost effectiveness

28. Oregon EIS Alternatives Alternatives to the Proposed Action may include: • Using fewer herbicides • Limiting application methods • Limiting treatment locations • Expanding invasive plant treatments beyond rights-of-way, administrative sites and recreation areas All alternatives will, at a minimum, include the Standard Operating Procedures & Mitigation Measures from BLM’s National PEIS

29. Oregon EIS Alternatives (cont.) Alternatives will NOT: • Evaluate the use of herbicides for commodity production such as livestock forage and/or timber volume • Address project-specific details. Specific treatment proposals will require project-level analysis tiered to this EIS

30. Next Steps EIS Schedule • July 2008 – EIS Scoping to identify Alternatives and Issues • August 2008 – Team examines input and comments from Scoping to recommend Issues and Alternatives to include in the EIS • May/June 2009 – Public Comment Period on Draft EIS • January 2010 – Issue Final EIS • March 2010 – Sign Record of Decision

31. Oral comments - We will attempt to record main points - We will ask for clarification - Contribute ideas for issues and alternatives - Avoid repeating comments already made Written comments - Just as important as oral comments - Contribute ideas for issues and alternatives - Complete a comment form at the meeting - Mail or email comments; addresses are provided Providing Comments

32. Good Manners - Please be respectful of others and varying points of view - Speak only when called upon - Do not interrupt other speakers - Do not have side conversations, which can affect other people’s ability to hear

33. Getting Involved! Join the mailing list and track progress at our website: www.blm.gov/or/plans/vegtreatmentseis/ • Please submit Scoping Comments by July 28, 2008 which can be done: • Here today • By email to: orvegtreatments@blm.gov • On the website at • By letter to: Bureau of Land ManagementVegetation Treatments EISP.O. Box 2965Portland, OR 97208