Invasive plant species to be treated at Grand Canyon National Park’s South Rim
Source: Grand Canyon National Park
Apr 10, 2008 - 5:33:59 PM
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Grand Canyon, Ariz. - A project to treat invasive species within Grand Canyon National Park is scheduled to resume this spring and will continue through the fall of 2008. Personnel from the National Park Service (NPS) Vegetation Program will be applying herbicide to eradicate certain invasive species located on the South Rim. This is an ongoing project, and the species will be treated several times, as new populations are found.
Treatment will only occur as conditions allow, and as new populations of the invasive species are located. The following eighteen invasive species are targeted in this project: Russian knapweed (Acroptilon repens), jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrical), whitetop (Cardaria draba), musk thistle (Carduus nutans), spotted knapweed (Centaurea biebersteinii), diffuse knapweed (Centaurea diffusa), yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis), rush skeletonweed (Chondrilla juncea), Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare), Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum), field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), horseweed (Conyza Canadensis), Dalmatian toadflax (Linaria dalmatica), Scotch thistle (Onopordum acanthium), Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), Johnsongrass (Sorghum halpense), and puncturevine (Tribulus terrestris).
The use of herbicide to control invasive species was approved in a 2004 Exotic Plant Management Categorical Exclusion (CE) and a 2007 amendment to the CE allowing further ongoing management through September 2008. Additionally, herbicide use for the 2008 season has been approved through the NPS Pesticide Use Proposal System. As detailed in the CE, all of the species targeted respond to herbicide; hand removal is not as effective and/or increases the number of plants from fragmented root segments and soil disturbance.
Treatments will occur occasionally during the spring, summer, and fall of 2008, and application will not occur in the presence of rain or heavy winds. The herbicide will be applied by hand spraying only on targeted plants. There will be no broadcast or aerial application. The first herbicide mixture to be used 97% water, less than 1% surfactant (Cide-kick II), and 2% Rodeo herbicide (glyphosate). A mixture of 99.4% water, 0.5% surfactant (Cide-kick II), and 0.1% Milestone herbicide (aminopyralid) may also be used. A third herbicide mixture of 99.2% water, 0.6% Methylated Seel Oil, 0.2% Plateau herbicide (imazapic) may also be used.
Treatment will occur at signed locations within the developed area between Hermit’s Rest and Desert View, and extending to the south boundary of the park. Areas treated in the developed area will be closed to foot traffic and flagging and signs will be posted. Visitors and residents are asked to avoid these areas until the warnings are removed.
Additional information on the herbicides that will be used in this project can be found online at:
In the unlikely event that anyone comes into direct contact with the herbicide, first-aid is recommended: Eye: Immediately flush eyes with water and continue washing for at least 15 minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present, after rinsing for 5 minutes. Obtain medical attention.
Skin: Remove contaminated clothing. Wash skin with soap and water, rinsing skin for a minimum of 15 minutes. Obtain medical attention if irritation persists. Wash clothing before reuse.
Ingestion: Give two glasses of water. Do not induce vomiting. Obtain medical attention. Inhalation: Remove person to fresh air; if effects occur, consult a physician.
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