To those concerned about toxic overload of our environment: The Bureau of Land Management is proposing to spray almost a million acres per year with herbicides to kill invasive plants. This triples the agency's current herbicide use. BLM is asking for comments about this proposal. The deadline for comments is January 9. E-mail your comments to vegeis@nv.blm.gov. Address your comments to Brian Amme, project manager, BLM Nevada State Office, and mention the "Vegetation Treatments Using Herbicides Programmatic EIS." Tell BLM that this is not an effective way to deal with the agency's invasive plant problem. So far BLM has refused to consider the causes of invasive plant problems. Instead, the agency is putting itself on a treadmill of pesticide use. Livestock grazing, road construction and use, use of off-road vehicles, timber harvests, and fuel reduction projects all encourage invasive weeds on BLM land. BLM needs to change the way the agency manages these activities in order to prevent invasive plant problems. BLM also needs to make a strong commitment to reducing its reliance on herbicides.

Tips for writing comments: Tell BLM that the agency must adopt strong prevention-based practices for activities (livestock grazing, road construction and use, use of off-road vehicles, timber harvests, and fuel reduction projects) that encourage invasive plants. Also tell BLM that the agency needs to make a specific measurable commitment to reducing reliance on herbicides. Personal comments are most effective. Tell BLM about activities that you've seen that encourage invasive plants on BLM land where you hike, camp, or fish. Tell the agency that it needs to manage these activities so they don't encourage the spread of weeds.

For more details, and/or please send a copy your letter by e-mail to NCAP at invasive@pesticide.org.

Thanks so much for your help. It makes a difference.

Caroline Cox Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides PO Box 1393 Eugene OR 97403


Informant: Scott Munson