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 2018 on roads, trails, trailheads and administrative sites located throughout the ranger districts. Treatment needs are determined by noxious weed surveys. Herbicides 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, 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/main/ipnf/learning/nature-science, or contact the following:

- Jeremy Kleinsmith — Bonners Ferry, Priest Lake, Sandpoint districts; Sandpoint, 208-265-6622; or Bonners Ferry, 208-267-6720.

- Kaitlyn Bowman — Coeur d’Alene River District, 208-769-3070.

- Josh Heise, St. Joe Ranger District; Avery, 208-245-6227.