The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking public review and comments regarding a draft environmental assessment for continuing aerial herbicide application at Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge has historically implemented aerial herbicide application as part of integrated pest management efforts.
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.
You are invited to review and comment on the draft Environmental Assessment document. The documents are available starting July 8, 2024 and comments are being accepted until July 29, 2024. Documents are available on the refuge website at the link below. You can contact the refuge at 618-883-2524 or r3planning@fws.gov to request documents in alternative formats. Comments can be sent by email to Charles_Deutsch@fws.gov or mailed to the refuge office.
https://www.fws.gov/media/two-rivers-nwr-aerial-spraying-environmental-…
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