A cross-management boundary effort to control the rapid expansion of cheatgrass is underway in eastern Albany and western Laramie Counties. Aerial application of the herbicide Rejuvra will treat over 7,500 acres across management boundaries and is the result of a partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service (USFS) and Laramie County Conservation District.

Via helicopter spraying, the project began April 18 within Curt Gowdy State Park. Treatment in the park is ongoing this week. Upon completion of that portion of the project, the contractor will move on to treat multiple areas within the north and east portions of the Medicine Bow National Forest, Pole Mountain unit.

Pending weather, the project will be completed in mid-May, prior to the opening of roads on Pole Mountain. Additional years of aerial treatment are planned on Forest, with up to 10,000+ acres treated over the span of the next 3-5 years. Future efforts will include areas in the southeast portions of Pole Mountain.

Emphasis for the treatment is on controlling non-native, annual cheatgrass on rangeland, enhancing native vegetation species, stabilizing soils, and reducing erosion. Treating cheatgrass greatly minimizes the risk of wildfire in these areas by the reduction in fine fuels and diminishes the threat of shorter fire intervals in the future. Efforts are focused on high-risk areas where the spread of cheatgrass could allow it to become established as dominant plant species.

The Curt Gowdy/Pole Mountain cheatgrass project received in-kind, monetary support from the following entities: Laramie County Weed and Pest, USDA Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service Joint Chiefs’ Landscape Restoration Partnership, Wyoming Game & Fish Department Invasive Annual Grass Program, Muley Fanatics Foundation, Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust, and Wyoming Weed Council.

Aerial treatments of cheatgrass have previously proven successful on the Medicine Bow National Forest, most recently within burned areas from multiple wildfires. Over the last two years, 17,000 acres were treated for cheatgrass via aerial application in the Snowy Range, Medicine Bow National Forest.

Including Pole Mountain, there are four planned aerial cheatgrass treatments on the Medicine Bow National Forest this year. The other projects are planned for this summer and include a retreatment of the Badger Creek Fire area – approximately 3,000 acres; treatment of the Ryan Fire area – approximately 2,300 acres; as well as wrapping up Mullen Fire treatments – approximately 1,000 acres.

Cheatgrass is a particularly aggressive invasive species that many agencies and landowners in the western United States are struggling to control. It is a prolific seed producer, thrives in disturbed areas and can displace native plants within grass and shrubland communities.

The ability to spray aerially is a result of the 2015 Record of Decision for Invasive Plant Management on the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland.

Specific questions about these projects should be directed to Jackie Roaque (USFS), 307-745-2340.

Additional resources can be found on our website. Information is also available on social media: @FS_MBRTB on Twitter or @FSMBRTB on Facebook.

Please check Curt Gowdy State Park or Laramie County Conservation District social media for updates about spraying on State of Wyoming managed lands.