Two Rivers NWR Aerial Spraying Environmental Assessment Draft

The primary need for aerial herbicide application is to reduce and control dense populations of invasive and undesirable plant species, to set back succession in areas where prescribed fire or ground application of herbicides is not practical or cannot be conducted on a frequent basis, and to maintain refuge facilities and infrastructure, thus fulfilling the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System, as outlined by the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act (NWRSAA), as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act (16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq.) “... to administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management and, where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife, and plant resources and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.” The draft environmental assessment reviews two alternative approaches for herbicide application on the refuge: the preferred alternative of taking no action and continuing current management efforts that include aerial herbicide application, and ending all aerial herbicide application on the refuge but using other invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.

Learn more about invasive species treatment tools.