JACKSON, Wyo. — Expect helicopter activity in the Jackson Hole region this month as cheatgrass spraying operations are conducted, The Jackson Hole Weed Management Association (JHWMA) and Teton County Weed and Pest District (TCWP) announced via press release.
JHWMA and TCWP are conducting the second round of treatments for the cheatgrass Mitigation Program aimed at reaching over 7,000 acres from the Gros Ventre to Hoback Canyon.
The National Elk Refuge, Poverty Flats and Miller Butte will be targeted Friday, Aug. 4.
Weather depending, treatments will take place on Crystal Butte (near Nelson Drive), East Gros Ventre Butte (along Highway 89 from the National Museum of Wildlife Art towards Town of Jackson), State Land on East Gros Ventre Butte, Vogel Hill, High School Butte, Boyles Hill, the south-facing slopes along Highway 89 (south of town from Smith’s towards Hoback Junction) and Hoback Junction toward Stinking Springs.
According to the press release, cheatgrass is a highly invasive, non-native annual grass with a quick-growing life cycle giving it a competitive advantage over native vegetation. Cheatgrass is also a fire risk because its dries early in the summer, making it a fuel source.
“A mere lightning strike can ignite an aggressive fire in dry cheatgrass infested lands,” states the press release. “An example of this was the fires on East Gros Ventre Butte in 2019.”
TCWP also says that cheatgrass diminishes wildlife habitat for mule deer and bighorn sheep winter ranges because it outcompetes native forbs and grasses.
Treatments are also occurring in Star Valley this month. Cheatgrass germinates in the fall so August treatments are done to prevent the grasses from spreading further.
Visit tcweed.org/cheatgrass for more information and contact TCWP with any questions or concerns.
