In fiscal year 2004, Forest
Service units applied a total of 163,015 lbs. of pesticides
to 255,434 acres of National Forest System (NFS) land. Pesticides
are used on NFS lands for a number of management operations
that include:
- Thinning or control of specific trees to promote growth
of desirable species.
- Thinning or control of vegetation to reduce fire fuel.
- Site preparation for planting of trees.
- Control of vegetation on highways, utility, and railroad rights-of-way in forests.
- Control of vegetation in forest nurseries and riparian areas.
- Suppression
of insects and diseases.
- Management of aquatic plants and fish.
The land area treated
with pesticides is very small and represents approximately
one tenth of one percent of the total forest and rangeland
area within the NFS lands. The amount of pesticides used
in Fiscal Year 2004 has increased by 7% while the acreage
treated has increased by 4% over the five year average. For over
five years, the use of pesticides by the Forest Service has remained
below 200,000 pounds (Graph - 14 KB xls),
but the acreage treated over the same period has fluctuated
slightly, averaging approximately 245,500 acres per year. |
