You just disturbed my reading at the US Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management- I have to strool thru the weeds and I say who cares- I find my gold- you find yours and Pat will find his:
doi.gov
><..Office of the Secretary
For Immediate Release: April 29, 1997
Contact: John Wright 202/208-6416
Weed Coalition Announces National Strategy
to Combat the Spread of Non-Native Invasive Plants
The plan, dubbed ‘Pulling Together, National Strategy for Invasive Plant
Management,' sets goals for control and protection against alien plants
The Invasive Weed Awareness Coalition (IWAC) with the support of Deputy Secretary of the Interior John Garamendi and Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Richard Rominger, today announced the availability of a national strategy designed to address the problems of invasive and destructive non-native plants in the United States.
In a briefing today for members of Congress, IWAC explained key points of the plan to combat and control the spread of invasive plants. The three-part plan, ‘Pulling Together, National Strategy for Invasive Plant Management,' was developed with input from numerous federal, local and state agencies, organizations, and groups that are effected by invasive plants. The plan addresses the threat to America's natural resources by focusing on effective prevention, control, and restoration. The national strategy also incorporates three main themes; research, education, and partnership, to help turn the tide in the control of alien plants.
“Invasive plants are a serious threat to the health and productivity of our public lands and waterways, said Garamendi. “The national strategy is a road-map that will guide us toward success in the battle against these silent invaders.”
The rapid growth and spread of weeds have become a major environmental and economic problem that threatens plants and alter natural landscapes. America's croplands, forests, parks, preserves, wilderness areas, wildlife refuges, and urban spaces, are adversely impacted by non-native and invasive plants. Experts estimate that invasive plants already infest well over 100 million acres and continue to increase by 8-to-20 percent annually, with billions of dollars in lost revenue and control costs.
“Non-native invasive plants are far more than an agricultural problem, they're an environmental one,” Rominger said. “Because of this ecological and economic threat, we must act now on a national level to combat this cancer on our landscape.”
Experts estimate that of the thousands of alien plants that have been introduced to the United States, about 1400, are scientifically recognized as pests. Currently 94 kinds of foreign weeds are officially recognized as noxious weeds.
Data that reveals the impact of invasive plants in the United States compiled by the Federal Interagency Committee for the Management of Noxious and Exotic Weeds will be published in a fact book. The fact book will contain useful information broken down state-by-state, for use with the national strategy. The fact book is scheduled for distribution later this year.
Garamendi noted that the national strategy announced today will require the efforts andcooperation of private landowners, federal land managers, as well as state and local governments. “Anything less than a national approach involving the participation of all effected landowners and concerned citizens, will do little to control the current rate of invasive weeds infestation,” he said.
The coalition is made up of representatives from federal, state and local governments, non-profit organizations, and the business community. The group was formed to increase the awareness of the problems of invasive weeds. Work on the national strategy began in early 1996.
Copies of the national strategy can be obtained electronically on the Internet at: (http://bluegoose.arw.r9.fws.gov/ficmnewfiles/NatlweedStrategytoc.html). Hard copies of the strategy can be obtained by contacting Kniffy Hamilton at (406) 255-2927, or by writing to her at Granite Tower, P.O. Box 36800, 222 N. 32nd Street, Billings, Montana 59101.
- DOI -
Poisonous Plants in Natural Areas.
Poison Hemlock, Conium maculatum, leaves, unripe fruit, and roots*;
Pokeberry (Phytolacca americans), foliage and roots;
Mistletoe (Phoradendron serotinum), all parts;
Rattlebox (Crotolaria spectabilis), all parts;
Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia esula), all parts;
Halogeton (Halogeton glomeratus), all parts;
Poison Ivy and Poison Oak (Toxicodendron radicans and Toxicodendron quercifolium), all parts, contact dermatitis;
Dos and Don'ts of Poisonous Plants.
Do learn to recognize poisonous plants you come in contact with. Do identify all plants in the home. Have this information on hand for use in an emergency.
Do lock away seeds, berries, bulbs, and other plant materials that are known to be poisonous toxic, or dispose of them. Do remove known toxic plants from the house, or place them out of the reach of children.
Don't allow children to suck nectar from unknown flowers. Don't let children chew leaves, seeds, flowers, berries or any other plant material from unknown plants.
Don't let children use natural toys and jewelry (made from seeds, sticks, etc.) unless they are made from non-toxic plants. Don't eat or make tea from unknown seeds, berries, leaves, flowers, roots or other plant materials.
Don't eat plants with milky or colored sap. Lettuce is an exception.
Don't eat plant bulbs unless they smell like onion or garlic. Don't let animals graze on poisonous plants.
If poisonous plant material is accidentally consumed or if a reaction is occurring due to contact with a poisonous plant, call a state Poison Control Center immediately.
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APPENDICES
Wood Facts
General. In active detection programs, the av
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