Why are weed-free forage and straw now mandatory on Forest Service wilderness areas?
• Invasive plants, including noxious weeds, are a serious threat to natural areas. They outcompete native plants, degrade wildlife habitat, and reduce soil and water quality. Invasive plants also cause economic losses in natural areas by reducing aesthetics and recreational opportunities. • While these weeds can be extremely difficult to remove once they’ve established anywhere – cropland, rangeland, yards, abandoned lots – they are especially hard to detect and then eradicate in wilderness areas. • The USDA Forest Service passed this order [36 CFR 261.58(t)] to help prevent the introduction of new weed seeds into designated wilderness areas.
