Herbicides destroy rare orchids on federal land

FARGO — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is investigating the killing of endangered flowers near Lisbon by herbicides.

About 200 Western prairie fringed orchids were destroyed in the Sheyenne National Grasslands, U.S. Forest Service District Ranger Bryan Stotts said Thursday. He said the Ransom County Weed Board was spraying in the area last week.

“It’s not really for me to say what happened,” Stotts said. “That is what the investigation should find out.”

Ken Dulik, special agent with Fish and Wildlife, said he’s conducting interviews in the case but had no further details.

Dulik said the plant is protected under the federal Endangered Species Act. Violating the law is a Class A misdemeanor, which carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a $100,000 fine.

North Dakota Transportation Department spokeswoman Peggy Anderson said her agency has worked with the Ransom weed board for several years.

“The department takes environmental concerns very seriously and that’s why we contract with local counties,” Anderson said. “They’re familiar with their areas and what precautions need to be made.”

Messages left with the weed board were not returned.

The orchids have appeared in only two counties in North Dakota, according to figures from the state Agriculture Department. The plant can grow up to three feet high and have up to two dozen white flowers on its stalk.

Stotts said the area is clearly marked as a “no spraying” zone.

“In the past we’ve had problems so we’ve prepared packets for people who will be spraying,” he said. “If we know people are spraying out there, we ask to meet with them and explain the packet.”

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