Forest spraying is underway

SANDPOINT — The Idaho Panhandle National Forests will be treating noxious weeds on National Forest System lands as part of an integrated pest management program that includes mechanical treatment, seeding/fertilizing of competitive native grasses, biological controls, and chemical treatment.

Treatments will occur from May through October 2017 on roads, trails, trail heads, and administrative sites located throughout the districts. For specific areas considered for treatment, please contact the applicable ranger station on the Idaho Panhandle National Forests.

Treatment needs are determined by noxious weed surveys. Herbicies approved for use include 2,4-D, Aminopyralid, Clopyralid, Metsulfuron Methyl, Triclopyr, Chlorsulphuron, Glyphosate, Dicamba, and Picloram. The use of these herbicides may vary by district.

The most common targeted weeds inlcude: houndstongue, spotted knapweed, meadow hawkweed, orange hawkweed, St. Johnswort, Canada thistle, bull thistle and rush skeletonweed. dalmatian toadflax, yellow toadflax, leafy spurge, blueweed (vipers’ bugloss), common bugloss, Scotch broom, multiflora rose, Japanese knotweed, tansy ragwort, poison hemlock, and common tansy.

For further information on noxious weeds , please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/ipnf/maps-pubs/?cid=fsm9_019084.