BLM High Desert District Now Using 28 Herbicides for Improved Vegetation Control

The Bureau of Land Management High Desert District recently approved the addition of seven new herbicides for vegetation control on public lands.

The number of herbicides available for use in the district have now increased from 21 to 28.

The High Desert District already has an integrated weed management system in place that includes physical, biological, and chemical strategies.

However, the inclusion of additional herbicides will provide extra arsenal in the control of noxious and invasive weeds. 

The List of Approved Herbicides 

Cheatgrass is one of the invasive weeds that BLM HDD is battling in public land
Cheatgrass is one of the invasive weeds that BLM HDD is battling on public land. Image: BLM/nrcsoregon

The additional herbicides that approved for vegetation management on BLM’s administered lands are:

  1. Aminocyclopyrachlor
  2. Clethodim
  3. Fluazifop-P-butyl
  4. Flumioxazin
  5. Imazamox
  6. Indaziflam
  7. Oryzalin

The herbicides have undergone extensive research and proven valuable in controlling weed invasion across the HDD public lands. 

The BLM High Desert District battles noxious and invasive weeds like cheatgrass, red brome, and medusahead. The spread and proliferation of these weeds affect native vegetation and wildlife and pose a high wildfire risk.

Desert areas have sparsely distributed shrubs with bare ground between them. Invasive grasses take up the bare spaces, connecting the vegetation. 

When a wildfire breaks out, it has the potential to spread faster and further. Worse, the weeds recover faster than native plants, increasing the fire risk.

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The Positive Impact of Using the Herbicides in the BLM Lands

Herbicides provide faster and more effective weed control. The HDD can use these herbicides to target and eradicate specific weeds. 

With the additional ingredients, the BLM High Desert District hopes the 28 herbicides will help turn the tide against the invasive plant species.

This timely and decisive action will help reduce invasive weeds, protect native vegetation, and improve wildlife habitats.