Forestry Herbicides

Herbicides in Forestry

It comes as a surprise to many members of CNPS that herbicides are routinely applied to native plants in the forests of California.  Not only does such application endanger sensitive taxa, on occasion, but often alters the local balance of native species.

Herbicides are used both in the National Forests, and in the private and state forests.   If you have questions or comments about herbicide use in the forests of California, please send us forestryherbicideusecnps.org or contact one of our regional coordinators.

Herbicides and THPs

CNPS is concerned that rare plants are not adequately protected from direct or cumulative significant impacts related to herbicide use on private timberlands.  Both non-listed and listed sensitive plant species as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) are given buffer zones intended to protect the plants from impacts due to timber harvest operations.  However, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF) does not require that project proponents consider the potential impacts from herbicide applications associated with timber harvest plans. Therefore, rare plants are not protected during subsequent forestry herbicide applications.

On December 12, 2001, CNPS wrote a letter to the Humboldt County Agricultural Commissioner asking that these issues be addressed to ensure that sensitive plant species are not impacted by herbicide use on private industrial timberlands.

Important Actions

The following list is a list of recent, important actions:

• Cottonwood lawsuit
• Quincy Library Group Lawsuit