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Post by Diane Merkel on Feb 11, 2008 12:52:56 GMT -6
This may not be the most exciting topic, but it certainly will have an effect on the battlefield: Officials with the 750,000-acre Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve are seeking public comment on a draft invasive-plant management plan.
The plan isn't specific to Craters of the Moon, but will apply to 10 units of the national park system in the Northern Rocky Mountains region.
"We'd like to know how you think we should manage invasive plans within the parks," said Doug Neighbor, superintendent at Craters of the Moon.
Neighbor said the National Park Service is soliciting input to determine issues important for inclusion in an environmental impact analysis that will consider the potential impacts of the plan.
Other parks included in the plan are Montana's Big Hole National Battlefield, Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site, Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, Bear Paw Battlefield Site, Idaho's City of Rocks National Reserve, Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument, Minidoka Internment National Monument, Wyoming's Fossil Butte National Monument and Utah's Golden Spike National Historic Site.
The Park Service is asking the public to submit comments by March 15. They can be mailed to Superintendent Doug Neighbor, Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, Box 29, Arco, ID 83213.
The plan can be viewed online at parkplanning.nps.gov/gosp. Click on "Northern Rocky Mountain Invasive Plant Management Plan/Environmental Compliance" to view the plan. Source: www.mtexpress.com/index2.php?ID=2005119255 |
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Post by Diane Merkel on Feb 12, 2008 9:14:57 GMT -6
Thanks to Bob Reece at Friends, you can read a report describing how the vegetation has changed on the battlefield since 1876. Indian accounts describe warriors hidden in the tall grass and behind sagebrush as they crawled toward, and fired upon, the soldiers. How many of you that stand on Last Stand Hill think you’re looking at the species of sagebrush described by the Indians? The report explains that this particular species of sagebrush was destroyed in the 1983 fire and it might be 200 years before we see it again! friendslittlebighorn.com/plantsbirdsoflittlebighornbattlefield.htm |
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Post by bc on Feb 12, 2008 9:42:23 GMT -6
I looked at the survey. Two things come to mind.
1. The 1983 battlefield fire was of a limited area. Should be plenty of nearby areas where the original sagebrush is.
2. Regarding skunks. They say you will smell them long before you see them. My experience is you will see skunks long before you smell them unless you or someone or something gets close enough to excite a spray out of them. Getting run over on the highway seems to scare the spray out of them. Skunks are nocturnal, if you see one during the day, be worried about it being rabid. During late fall skunks are on the move looking for warm habitat. Rattlesnakes, also nocturnal, use old skunk holes for habitat. Just a reminder to be careful about what may be lurking behind that sagebrush you are walking by but usually not a problem during the day.
BTW, I hear the alligators in Florida will lurk around behind the sagebrush also!
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Post by fred on Feb 12, 2008 16:31:14 GMT -6
BTW, I hear the alligators in Florida will lurk around behind the sagebrush also! [N. B.-- My thanks to alfuso for some of the spelling above.] |
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Post by crzhrs on Feb 12, 2008 17:37:52 GMT -6
Re: Skunks . . .
We have an antique house with a foundation of rubble (stones, of various sizes supporting it). There are a number of areas where animals, including skunks can gain access to the crawl space underneath the house.
Let me tell you. I notice skunks smell and I don't even see them as they try to find a place to hide/rest/nest.
P-U-U-U!
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Post by bc on Feb 12, 2008 18:32:55 GMT -6
Re: Skunks . . . Let me tell you. I notice skunks smell and I don't even see them as they try to find a place to hide/rest/nest. P-U-U-U! It's a good thing we don't have any over on this message board stinking up the place with name calling, etc. |
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Post by BrokenSword on Mar 7, 2008 6:25:35 GMT -6
crzhrs- "...Let me tell you. I notice skunks smell..."
Are you saying that you can smell them OVER all that Ouzo? WOW.
M
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Post by crzhrs on Mar 7, 2008 8:00:50 GMT -6
There's been a dead skunk on the road to our house. The smell is very "noticeable". The Crows don't seem to mind, though. Every time I go bye the carcass gets smaller and smaller.
PS: It is mating season for Pepe Le Pew and his friends.
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Post by bc on Mar 7, 2008 9:53:27 GMT -6
It is definitely the spring skunk season. There is skunk roadkill all over the place around here for the last couple weeks.
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Post by lilsandbay on Mar 14, 2008 10:39:00 GMT -6
Diane
Interesting you should mention the Bob Reece comment re the present sagebrush and tall grass differences from the original Indian comments. I suspect my relations were looking for cover and not concealment. The concealment ends when they touch off that first black powder charge, and of course sagebrush and tall grass make terrible cover.
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