Grand Canyon, AZ - On Tuesday, June 4 and Wednesday, June 5 staff from the Division of

Science and Resource Management (SRM) will be applying herbicide to the traffic islands on
South Entrance and Yavapai Roads to remove grasses that attract elk in these congested areas of
the Grand Canyon Village. The intent of the removal is to minimize conflicts between wildlife
(elk) and both visitors and residents along the road corridors.

Weather permitting, park staff will use a low concentration tank mix of imazapyr and glyphosate
based herbicides to kill the grasses. These herbicides are approved for use along road sides by
the Department of the Interior's Pesticide Use Proposal System (PUPS). Although foot traffic in
the area is generally limited, visitors, staff, and residents are encouraged to use the designated
crosswalks to avoid potential contact with the herbicide until the evening of June 5.

In spring 2009 park staff prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) for implementation of
Grand Canyon National Park's Exotic Plant Management Plan that identifies the need to use an
integrated approach to exotic plant management including the use of herbicides. The EA was
prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and generated a
Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The FONSI, signed by the Regional Director in July
2009, states that expansion of chemical pest control in the park was a reasonable alternative to no action and would have no significant negative impact on the park's ecology.

For more information, please contact Cam Prophet, Invasive Plants Crew Lead, at 928-638-7734.