USFS wants public input on controlling invasive plants in BWCAW

Superior National Forest managers are seeking public input regarding a proposed pest management approach to reduce the introduction and spread of non-native invasive plants, or NNIP, in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Compared to many other wilderness areas, the occurrence of invasive plants in the BWCAW is relatively low. According to the Forest Service, most NNIP species are restricted to campsites and portages – however they are surrounded by thousands of acres of susceptible habitat and can threaten native plant communities and thus, the character of the wilderness.  

While hand pulling can kill some unwanted species, it is not considered an effective treatment in the wilderness. The Forest Service is proposing what it calls an integrated management approach that involves education, manual pulling, and the use of herbicides.  

Approximately 1,000 known NNIP sites totaling 13 acres are being proposed for treatment inside the BWCAW within St. Louis, Lake and Cook Counties.  

A Scoping Report describes the status of invasive species in the wilderness and outlines the proposed treatments. It can be found on the Superior National Forest website, www.fs.usda.gov/superior. (Select Land and Resource Management” then “Projects”.  Look for “BWCAW Non-native Invasive Plan Management Project.)

Scoping comments received by May 23 will be used to determine issues associated with the project, develop possible alternatives and refine the analysis of effects. Further information is available from the Gunflint and Tofte ranger stations.