Visitors also damage plants by dumping garbage and building fires in rockshelters. In areas where disturbance continues for long periods, the plants may never recover. Even if plants are able to recolonize trampled areas, their growth may be stunted because of soil compaction. Another serious threat to the species is archaeological looters. As looters dig up soil in their hunt for artifacts, they also dig up stolons and seeds of white-haired goldenrod.
Plants are unlikely to recover from such extensive damage.
It is possible that some occurrences of this species were extirpated as a result of these activities. A number of actions have already been taken to help ensure the survival of white-haired goldenrod occurrences. Logging policy for Forest Service-owned land is designed to protect this plant from the immediate effects of logging. A portion of this policy is specifically aimed at protecting rare or sensitive cliffline plants. This policy prohibits logging from the base of the cliff downslope to the nearest break in the slope or to 5O feet from the dripline.