Herbicide Sprayed From Grand Canyon Railroad To Protect The Park, Control Vegetation

By Mythili Gubbi
Published: Friday, March 29, 2019 - 7:32am

A specialized rail car with a 16-foot boom sprayer will travel on the Grand Canyon Railway and apply a herbicide to protect the national park. The herbicide will control vegetation along the track and wipe out dry vegetation near it that can contribute to fires.

“Most often those plants will compete will native vegetation, and they can either oust them or in competing with them run the risk of changing the immediate environment and that can affect anything and everything from wildlife to humans,” said Cam Prophet is with the Grand Canyon National Park. He explained how invasive plants can disrupt the natural species in the park.

The one-time treatment process is scheduled for April 3rd, weather permitting.

Science Sustainability