Populations are moderately threatened by succession and human disturbance which has introduced weedy species such as phragmites and European herbs. Unprotected populations may be threatened by development at the sites.

The control of invasive species is important in the open habitat where this grass occurs.

There seems to be a specific rock and soil type that the species prefers, otherwise it would be much more common in the state. There is a need to understand these habitat preferences. Most of the occurrences are also near existing or old railroad tracks and this correlation needs to be studied.