What is this Amazing Herbicide That’s Creating Bigger Mule Deer in Wyoming?
What do Giant Buck Mule Deer, Private Landowners, and Native grassland/rangeland ecosystem enthusiasts have in common today? We are all celebrating the Bureau of Land Management’s recent approval of seven new herbicides including Indaziflam (In-DAZ-i-Flam)to control noxious weeds and invasive species like cheatgrass.
Late on July 11, the BLM approved seven active herbicide ingredients for immediate use to help grazing permittees eliminate cheatgrass, a terrestrial invasive species. In recent decades, cheatgrass has taken over an alarming amount of our natural sage flat and prairie ecosystems across the west. Cheatgrass is an invasive grass species offering little in nutritional value to wildlife and domestic cattle in addition to disrupting the natural fire cycle by burning hotter and faster than native plant life. Cheatgrass also grows faster than native herbs and shrubs shading them out and greatly reducing the quantity of high-quality browsing calories available to Mule Deer.
Steve Belinda MDF’s Chief Conservation Officer:
“MDF applauds BLM for the long overdue approval of Indaziflam for the war against annual invasive grasses on BLM Lands. The use of this has proven to be a great tool for protecting and restoring mule deer habitats against the threats of cheatgrass and other invasive grasses.”
This additional step to remove cheatgrass from the ecosystem across the West should be applauded, and the Mule Deer Foundation could not be happier with the Bureau of Land Management’s decision. The US Forest Service and Environmental Protection Agency currently use this herbicide, so the Bureau of Land Management’s decision to adopt the most recent technological advances to help conserve our natural resources for the benefit of all user groups makes sense.
Jesse Shallow, one of the Mule Deer Foundations Mule Deer Biologists stationed in Idaho has been using Indaziflam effectively on over 5,000 acres of Mule Deer habitat controlled by private landowners and the U.S. Forrest Service in Idaho just this year.
“This news from BLM is just so exciting for me” Jesse Said, “Indaziflam is an amazing tool not only in rewilding the landscape across the west to sustain bigger and healthier herds of mule deer but also to manage the ever-growing danger posed by fire every year. Indaziflam is 90% effective, and it kills the roots and seed production in cheatgrass, meaning the plant isn’t hurt, and it isn’t stunted after treatment, it’s GONE!”
Jessie went on to estimate that without outside disturbances she could use Indaziflam to help improve habitat on over 7,000 acres of BLM land in Idaho in 2025.
With this recent decision by the Bureau of Land Management, these seven new active ingredients in herbicide will be available for the Mule Deer Foundation to use on over 100,000 acres of BLM land across the west in years to come to prevent the proliferation of invasive species and manage wildfires. This new tool will dramatically aid Conservation Nonprofits and state and federal agencies in this fight.
Shawn, the Regional Director of MDF WY, said:
“This is a big win for conservation in Wyoming. The use of Indaziflam approval means that regardless of the land management agency in Wyoming, we can put our people to work where their efforts are needed most. From everyone involved with Wyoming MDF, Thank You! BLM for helping us be more effective in our mission of conservation of Mule deer and their habitat.”
The Wyoming chapters of the Mule Deer Foundation are thrilled with the announcement. In the past, the Mule Deer Foundation’s habitat projects in Wyoming limited working on any project on Forest Service and Private land adjacent to BLM due to the risk of overspray and to the discrepancy in where Indaziflam can be used.
From All of the staff, board members, and volunteers, THANK YOU BLM! For giving us this tool to fight for the health of Mule Deer across the west.
For more resources on the Bureau of Land Management’s new Herbicide decision, please read more: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2017138/510
For more on the Wyoming Mule Deer Foundation Projects, please reach out to the Regional Director Shawn Blajszczak at shawn@muledeer.org
For more on the Idaho Mule Deer Foundation Projects, please reach out to the Regional Director Marshall Johnson at Marshall@muledeer.org
Full Press Release on the BLM Indaziflam Approval from the WY Governor Below:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 11, 2024
CONTACT: Michael Pearlman, Communications Director
Michael.Pearlman@wyo.gov
BLM’s Indaziflam approval welcome news for WY’s fight against cheatgrass
CHEYENNE, WYO – Governor Gordon has issued the following statement on the Bureau of Land Management’s approval of seven herbicides to control noxious weeds and invasive species, including Indaziflam.
Indaziflam has been proven to help grazing permittees eliminate cheatgrass, a terrestrial invasive species. The herbicide is currently used by the U.S. Forest Service and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and is being applied throughout Wyoming successfully to limit the spread of cheatgrass and other invasive species:
“Overall, the BLM’s approval is welcome news; albeit it would have been even more welcome months ago as states and counties were planning a coordinated spraying program for the season. Having additional tools to ensure a consistent, thorough, and effective invasive plant eradication effort benefits Wyoming’s wildlife, fire prevention, and habitat improvement programs. It is important to Wyoming’s fight against cheatgrass that federal land management agencies use consistent, proven methods that focus on the goal of landscape health foremost,” said Governor Gordon.
With this approval, Indaziflam will be eligible for application on 18 million acres of BLM land in Wyoming. Wyoming invests millions of dollars annually to prevent the proliferation of terrestrial invasive species, including cheatgrass, ventana, and medusahead. The Governor consistently spearheads the fight against invasive species and led a task force to make recommendations on how to best target eradication. At the Governor’s request, the Wyoming Legislature approved $9 million for battling terrestrial invasives this year.
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Trevor J Hubbs @TrevorHubbs
Trevor is the Communications Manager for the Mule deer Foundation. He grew up hunting and fishing the eastern edge of the ozark mountains for quail, ducks, and bucks. Trevor is a contributor for “Fur, Fish, and Game”, Lethal Minds Journal, Strung Magazine, Fly Fisherman, and Shooting Sportsman among others.
