Press release from Gina Ramos:
BLM Releases Final Programmatic EIS to Use Three
Herbicides on Western Public Lands
Release Date: 04/07/16
Contacts: Lissa
Eng , 202-912-7630
Gina Ramos, 202-912-7226
As part of ongoing efforts to combat the spread of invasive
and noxious weeds that threaten the health and productivity of millions of
acres of public lands, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) today released the
Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (Final PEIS) that examines
the use of three new herbicides that are safer for the environment and human
health than those previously used. A notice for the Final PEIS for vegetation
treatments using aminopyralid, fluroxypyr, and rimsulfuron on BLM lands in 17
western states, which was published today in the Federal Register, opens a
30-day review period on the document.
"One of the BLM's highest priorities is to promote
ecosystem health and one of the greatest obstacles to achieving this goal is the
rapid expansion of weeds across public lands," said Mike Pool, acting
Deputy Director of the BLM. "The new vegetation treatments will give our
public land managers a better set of tools to address wildfire protection,
habitation restoration, and other resource issues more effectively."
The Final PEIS assesses three alternative approaches to the
use of aminopyralid (known by the trade name Milestone), fluroxypyr (Vista),
and rimsulfuron (Matrix), as well as a "No Action" alternative that
considers the continued use of 18 previously approved herbicides. The Final
PEIS details the expected impacts and benefits from the BLM’s use of
herbicides, and provides analysis to determine which herbicides should be
approved for use. The Final PEIS addresses public comments on the draft PEIS by
providing comment responses and changes to the analysis or supporting
documentation, where appropriate.
The Final PEIS addresses a wide range of issues, including
the effect of the herbicides on the health of humans, vegetation, fish and
wildlife, livestock, and wild horses and burros. It also looks at water quality
and Native American use of resources, and evaluates the cumulative impact of
use of the new and other herbicides by the BLM and other landowners in the
West.
The Notice of Availability of Final Vegetation Treatments
Using Aminopyralid, Fluroxypyr, and Rimsulfuron on Bureau of Land Management
Lands in 17 Western States Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement is
accessible at http://blm.gov/3vkd.
The Final PEIS, published in today’s Federal Register, will
be available for public review through May 7, 2016. A Record of Decision will
be issued following the 30-day review period.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land,
the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of
Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The
BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout
the nation. The BLM's mission is to manage and conserve the public lands for
the use and enjoyment of present and future generations under our mandate of
multiple-use and sustained yield. In Fiscal Year 2014, the BLM generated $5.2
billion in receipts from public lands.
--BLM--
