South Unit's Campground to Close for Exotic Plant Control

Cottonwood Campground in Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s South Unit will be closed September 12 and 13 to allow for herbicide treatment of leafy spurge. An aggressive 10-day spray campaign is underway in the park to combat this non-native species. The campground will open back up to camping on the 14th.
“We are continuing our ground assault against a noxious weed that has taken over valuable native plant and wildlife habitat,” stated park superintendent Valerie Naylor. Naylor said that this project will complement biocontrol efforts the park also uses.
About 15 people are involved with this undertaking including 11 members of the Montana Conservation Corps. The herbicide will be applied from all-terrain vehicles and backpacks. About 500 acres along the east side of the Little Missouri River north of Interstate-94 will be treated. Another 500 acres in the park’s backcountry is to be sprayed using a helicopter later in September. Aerial application of herbicide will also be used to treat a total of 450 acres of Canada thistle in both the North and South Units.