HomeMy WebLinkAboutR11-055 Weed Mangement Plan Adoption Commissioner 1 moved adoption of the following resolution:
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COUNTY OF EAGLE, STATE OF COLORADO
RESOLUTION NO. 2011-
RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE EAGLE COUNTY WEED MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR
THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF EAGLE COUNTY
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Eagle, State of
Colorado (hereinafter "Board ") has the authority and is required to adopt a weed management
plan for all of the unincorporated lands within Eagle County � g Yp ursuant to C.R.S. 35 -5.5 -105; and
WHEREAS, the Board appointed the Eagle County Weed Advisory Board pursuant to
C.R.S. 35 -5.5 -107; and
WHEREAS, upon recommendation from the Eagle County Weed Advisory Board, the
Board has the authority to designate and declare noxious weeds for Eagle County pursuant to
C.R.S. 35 -5.5 -108; and
WHEREAS, the Board desires to designate noxious weeds and approve a Weed
Management Plan with the County having all of the powers and duties set forth in the Colorado
Noxious Weed Act and Colorado Revised Statutes; and
WHEREAS, the Board adopted the Eagle County Weed Management Plan by Resolution
92 -41, on April 13, 1992 and amended the plan by Resolution 94 -148 on October 3, 1994 and
amended it again by Resolution 2000 -45, on March 20, 2000; and
WHEREAS, the Board desires to ratify and approve all prior acts of the Board of County
Commissioners, the Eagle County Weed Advisory Board and any authorized agent consistent
with the Weed Management Plan; and
WHEREAS, having reviewed the proposed Weed Management Plan which is attached
hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit A, the Board desires to repeal such earlier adopted
plans and desires to adopt the Weed Management Plan which it finds it to be in the best interest
of Eagle County and will promote the continued economic and environmental value of the lands
within Eagle County.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF THE COUNTY OF EAGLE, STATE OF COLORADO:
I
THAT, the Eagle County Weed Management Plan (Exhibit A), be and is hereby
approved and adopted.
THAT, Eagle County shall have all of the powers and duties set forth in the Colorado
Noxious Weed Act and the Colorado Revised Statutes in implementing, administering and
enforcing the Eagle County Weed Management Plan.
THAT, all prior actions of the Board of County Commissioners, the Eagle County Weed
Advisory Board and any authorized agent consistent with the Eagle County Weed Management
Plan are hereby declared to be valid and ratified.
THAT, the Board hereby repeals such earlier adopted weed management plans and
resolutions.
THAT, the Board hereby finds, determines and declares that this Resolution is necessary
for the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Eagle County.
MOVED, READ AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of the
County of Eagle, State of Colorado, at its regular meeting held the ( of (110-y _ ,
2011.
COUNTY OF EAGLE, STATE OF COLORADO,
By and Through Its BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS
ATTEST: ' "
.,i1',' - G . , I , ,.. „. - . .......,.....am lig : Clerk to the Board of J f, vney, Chai V
County Commissioners
mil,/ 71 iv.
Peter F. Runyon, Commissione
_-- �
-410_ I___. _. ..,_._, _
Sara J. Fisher, Co , i ssioner
Commissioner econded adoption of the foregoing resolution. The roll
having been called, the vot was as follows:
Commissioner Stavney
Commissioner Runyon �
Commissioner Fisher
i
i
EAGLE COUNTY
NOXIOUS WEED MANAGEMENT PLAN
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................ ..............................3
A. Mission Statement .................................................................................................. ..............................3
B. Statement of Weed Problem .................................................................................. ..............................3
C. Purpose and Goals of Plan ...................................................................................... ..............................4
D. Definitions .............................................................................................................. ..............................4
E. Enactment Authority .............................................................................................. ..............................5
F. Noxious Weed List ................................................................................................... .:............................5
SECTIONII: PLAN OF WORK ............................................................................................. ..............................6
A. Objectives and Goals .............................................................................................. ..............................6
B. Prevention and Detection ...................................................................................... ..............................7
C. Education and Awareness ...................................................................................... ..............................7
D. Land Stewardship ................................................................................................... ..............................8
E. Re- vegetation and Rehabilitation ........................................................................... ..............................8
F. Mapping and Inventory .......................................................................................... ..............................8
SECTIONIII: ENFORCEMENT ............................................................................................ ..............................9
A. Administration / Enforcement ................................................................................. ..............................9
B. Duty to Manage Noxious Weeds ............................................................................ ..............................9
C. Management- Weeds Designated for Eradication ................................................. ..............................9
D. Management- Private Lands .................................................................................. ..............................9
E. Management - Public Lands ..................................................................................... ..............................9
F. Failure to Comply- Public Nuisance ........................................................................ ..............................9
SECTION IV: PLAN EVALUATION ..................................................................................... .............................10
EXHIBIT 1: NOXIOUS WEEDS DESIGNATED BY THE STATE AS OF FEBRUARY, 2011 ....... .............................11
Eagle County Noxious Weed Management Plan Page 2
SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION
A. Mission Statement
There is a need to ensure that lands within unincorporated Eagle County, whether in private or
public ownership, are protected by and subject to the jurisdiction of Eagle County which is
empowered to manage undesirable plants as designated by the State of Colorado and Eagle
County. Certain undesirable plants constitute a present threat to the continued economic and
environmental value of the lands in Eagle County and must be managed. The intent of the
Colorado Noxious Weed Act and the mission of Eagle County are to implement a Noxious Weed
Management Plan ( "Plan ") to stop the spread of and to manage noxious weeds. In developing
the Plan consideration has been given to the elements of integrated management as well as all
appropriate and available control and management methods, seeking those methods which are
least environmentally damaging and which are practical and economically reasonable. (C.R.S.
35 -5.5 -102)
B. Statement of Weed Problem
Several alien plants which have been legally designated as noxious weed species are negatively
impacting the economic and environmental value of land in Eagle County. They are rapidly
displacing desirable vegetation causing a loss of productive grazing and recreational resources.
Without an effective integrated weed management plan these aggressive plants will continue to
degrade land within Eagle County.
Thousands of acres of land in Eagle County are already infested with list "A ", `B" and "C"
noxious weed species which are more fully described below. Experts in weed science estimate
this figure increases fifteen percent annually if no control measures are imposed. Such an
increase in weed population is a serious threat to the agricultural, economic and environmental
value of land in Eagle County.
The noxious weed problem in Eagle County is of concern not only to the agricultural
community, but to urban communities, the smaller landowner community, recreational land users
and public lands managers as well. Problem areas include: Road sides, railroad lines, housing
subdivisions, lands within municipalities, private property, state and federal lands.
Eagle County Noxious Weed Management Plan Page 3
C. Purpose and Goals of Plan
The purpose of this Plan is to implement the Colorado Noxious Weed Act by identifying
integrated management options for designated noxious weeds. Options include education,
preventative measures, and good stewardship and control techniques. The Colorado Noxious
Weed Act requires that the local governing authority adopt a Plan for the unincorporated lands
within the county (C.R.S. 35 -5.5 -105).
The goals of the Plan include:
Compliance with and implementation of the Colorado Noxious Weed Act.
2. Implementation of a county -wide integrated management program that addresses the
following elements:
a. awareness, education and training;
b. prevention and detection;
c. inventory, survey and mapping;
d. integrated control (biological, chemical, cultural and mechanical);
e. monitoring and evaluation;
f. reporting;
g. management strategy /annual operating plan.
3. Foster a spirit of cooperation among landowners within Eagle County (federal, tribal,
state, county, municipal or private land) by working with these stakeholders to institute
integrated management.
D. Definitions
All definitions used within this Plan shall have the same meaning as set forth in the Colorado
Noxious Weed Act which can be found at C.R.S. 35 -5.5 -101 et. seq. In addition, as used in this
Plan:
1. "Authorized Agent' means the agent(s), delegate(s) or employee(s) tasked with
administering the duties and requirements of Plan.
2. "Board of County Commissioners" shall mean the Eagle County Board of County
Commissioners.
Eagle County Noxious Weed Management Plan Page 4
E. Enactment Authority
The Colorado Noxious Weed Act (C.R.S. 35 -5.5 -101 et. seq.) was signed into state law in 1990
and amended in 1996. The Colorado Noxious Weed Act directs the Board of County
Commissioners of each county to adopt a noxious weed management plan for all unincorporated
land within the county (C.R.S. 35 -5.5 -105). The Act directs the Board of County Commissioners
to appoint a local Weed Advisory Board, whose power and duties are as follows (C.R.S.35 -5.5-
107):
1. Develop a noxious weed management plan for the integrated management of designated
noxious weeds;
2. Declare noxious weeds and any state noxious weeds designated by rule to be subject to
integrated management;
3. Recommend to the Board of County Commissioners that identified landowners be
required to submit an integrated weed management plan for managing designated
noxious weeds on their properties.
The Board of County Commissioners is authorized to appoint itself to act as the Eagle County
Weed Advisory Board for unincorporated Eagle County pursuant to C.R.S. 35 -5.5 -107.
F. Noxious Weed List
The State of Colorado has three noxious weed lists designated by rule of the Colorado
Department of Agriculture.
"List A" means rare noxious weed species that are subject to eradication wherever detected
statewide in order to protect neighboring lands and the state as a whole; "List B" means noxious
weed species that are subject to eradication, containment, or suppression in portions of the state
designated by the Commissioner (C.R.S. 35 -5.5 -103) in order to stop the continued spread of
these species; and the third or "List C" means widespread and well - established noxious weed
species for which control is recommended but not required by the state although local governing
bodies may require management (C.R.S. 35 -5.5 -108).
Designation. Eagle County is not currently designating any weeds in addition to those noxious
weeds identified by the Commissioner on List "A ", `B" and "C ". Eagle County shall enforce its
Plan in unincorporated Eagle County for all weeds identified by the Commissioner. A list of the
noxious weeds currently designated by the Commissioner is attached hereto as Exhibit "I".
Management techniques and detailed information for each weed can be found at:
www. colorado. gov/ cs/ Satellite/ Agriculure- Main/CDAG/1174084048733.
Eagle County Noxious Weed Management Plan Page 5
The Board of County Commissioners, after consultation with the Eagle County Weed Advisory
Board may elevate the status of any "B" List noxious weed or "C" List noxious weed that is
located within unincorporated Eagle County from the `B" or "C" Lists to that of an "A" or `B"
List weed as deemed necessary. The Board of County Commissioners may at any time apply to
the Commissioner for a waiver of compliance with an eradication designation set forth by the
Commissioner for any particular "A" List noxious weed or `B" List noxious weed designated for
eradication in Eagle County, pursuant to the terms of C.R.S. 35- 5.5- 108.5(3)(c). If such waiver
is approved, the noxious weed in question shall be reclassified as either a `B" or "C" List weed
as may be determined by the Board of County Commissioners.
Designation of Other Weeds. The Board of County Commissioners may declare additional
noxious weeds within its boundaries after a public hearing with thirty days' notice to the public.
(C.R.S.35 -5.5 -108)
The control of noxious weeds shall be the responsibility of every landowner in unincorporated
Eagle County. Technical advice and support will be provided by Eagle County Weed and Pest
Department and the Colorado State University Cooperative Extension office.
SECTION II: PLAN OF WORK
A. Objectives and Goals
1. Carry out weed control practices on Eagle County owned lands and rights -of -way.
2. Educate the public concerning weed management issues including increasing public
awareness of the Colorado Noxious Weed Act.
3. Educate residents by coordinating workshops, scheduling landowner consultations,
maintaining an intemet web page, writing press releases for local media and providing
other miscellaneous noxious weed education.
4. Foster a spirit of cooperation among federal, state and local government agencies and
private landowners. Enter into intergovernmental agreements with federal agencies, state
agencies and local governing bodies to maximize weed management efforts. Enter into
cooperative agreements or contracts with non - governmental organizations interested in
environmental protection in regard to noxious weed management.
5. Work with other government agencies and departments to institute "Best Management
Practices" and /or policies that stress prevention as a weed management tool.
6. Promote and use integrated management techniques.
7. Establish and maintain healthy plant communities with native or beneficial vegetation.
8. Develop and implement re- vegetation guidelines in cooperation with other county
entities.
Eagle County Noxious Weed Management Plan Page 6
9. Restore and maintain desirable plant communities, healthy ecosystems, and productive
agricultural lands in unincorporated Eagle County.
10. Stop the spread of noxious weeds to uninfested lands.
11. Update existing noxious weeds GIS layer and distribute population information through
the Eagle County website to encompass federal, state, county, municipal and private land
holdings.
12. Contain heavily infested areas and encourage the implementation of noxious weed
control activities on all infested acreage within unincorporated Eagle County to prevent
spread and reduce population density.
13. Conduct biological control releases, when appropriate.
B. Prevention and Detection
Prevention is best accomplished by ensuring that new weed species seed or vegetative
reproductive plant parts of weeds are not introduced into new areas and by early detection of any
new weed species before they become widespread.
Strategies to prevent the introduction or establishment of noxious weeds in areas not already
infested include:
1. Identification and eradication of small, new infestations.
2. Continuous monitoring and evaluation to prevent recurrence.
3. Identification of existing conditions, disturbances, and activities that represent a
potential threat to native habitat.
4. Identification of recently introduced weed species that represent a future threat.
5. Timely re- vegetation and reclamation of disturbed sites using appropriate native plant
species.
6. The use of weed free seeds and mulch.
7. Countywide promotion of the Colorado Weed Free Hay and Forage Program.
8. Prioritization of weed management along areas of entry and dispersal.
9. Discouraging the sale of weedy ornamental plants and seed packets that contain
weeds.
10. Review Eagle County Land Use Regulations, including building codes, to identify
and recommend strategies to promote healthy native vegetation.
C. Education and Awareness
Education must play a major role in implementing this Plan. Groups targeted for public
education include the following: farmers and ranchers, homeowners associations, private
Eagle County Noxious Weed Management Plan Page 7
citizens, developers, gardeners, landscapers, nurseries, public and private land management
agencies, recreational users, schools and utility companies.
A partnership of the public and private sectors, along with awareness of what noxious weeds are
and the problems they cause, is essential to maintain or create plant communities that are free of
noxious weeds. Knowledge about how to identify weeds, how and where weeds have spread, and
what it takes to manage weeds, is needed. Continuation and expansion of current educational
programs as well as the development of new programs is a priority of the Plan. Opportunities for
education include:
1. Widespread distribution of informative printed material.
2. Offering weed tours and talks to the public.
3. Private applicator certification, applicator safety and laws /regulations.
4. Proper calibration of spraying equipment.
5. Contacting area nurseries, landscapers and landscape architects to emphasize
problems created by ornamentals.
6. Cooperation with local media to disseminate weed information.
7. Custom weed management recommendations for individual landowners.
D. Land Stewardship
The Colorado Noxious Weed Act requires that all property owners use integrated methods to
manage noxious weeds. Weed management must be ongoing, requiring an integrated approach
in which proper land stewardship practices are utilized. Most weed species, if detected early can
be managed.
E. Re- vegetation and Rehabilitation
A crucial part of any weed management plan is the reintroduction of appropriate vegetation.
Assistance in preparing an effective re- vegetation plan can be obtained through the Natural
Resource Conservation Service or the Colorado State University Cooperative Extension.
F. Mapping and Inventory
Mapping is a valuable tool in integrated weed management. The primary goal of mapping will
be to record the noxious weed species present, areas infested, density of infestations, and other
site factors pertinent to successfully managing infestation.
Eagle County Noxious Weed Management Plan Page 8
SECTION III: ENFORCEMENT
A. Administration /Enforcement
The Board of County Commissioners shall provide for the administration and enforcement of the
Plan through the use of agents, delegates or employees, and may hire additional staff or provide
for the performance of all or part of the Plan through outside contract. There shall be no
limitation on the employees that the Board of County Commissioners may identify to assist with
administration of this plan.
B. Duty to Manage Noxious Weeds
It is the duty of all persons to use integrated methods to manage noxious weeds if the same are
likely to be materially damaging to the land of neighboring landowners.
C. Management- Weeds Designated for Eradication
Eagle County shall have all of the powers and duties set forth in C.R.S. 35 -5.5 -108.5 and in the
Colorado Noxious Weed Act and affected landowners shall comply with the management
techniques and responsibilities related to List "A" species and populations of List `B" weeds
designated for eradication by the Commissioner in conformance with C.R.S. 35 -5.5- 108.5.
D. Management- Private Lands
Eagle County shall have all of the powers and duties set forth in C.R.S. 35 -5.5 -109 and in the
Colorado Noxious Weed Act and affected land owners shall comply with the requirements and
obligations as set forth in C.R.S. 35 -5.5 -109 in the management of noxious weeds on private
lands.
E. Management - Public Lands
Eagle County shall have all of the powers and duties set forth in C.R.S. 35 -5.5 -110 and in the
Colorado Noxious Weed Act and affected landowners shall comply with the requirements and
obligations as set forth in C.R.S. 35 -5.5 -110 in the management of noxious weeds on public
lands.
F. Failure to Comply- Public Nuisance
If the landowner fails to comply with the notice to control the designated undesirable plants, fails
to submit an acceptable management plan, or fails to comply with a management plan as
determined by the arbitration panel, the Board of County Commissioner at a public hearing at
Eagle County Noxious Weed Management Plan Page 9
least 10 days after the notice thereof to the property owner may declare the infested property a
public nuisance for which the remedies for abatement of a public nuisance shall be available as
provided in C.R.S. 35 -5.5 -113. Once declared, such nuisance is subject to all laws and remedies
relating to the prevention and abatement of nuisances. Eagle County may in a summary manner
or otherwise take such action including removal and destruction with reference to such nuisance
as in its discretion appears necessary. The remedies of this section shall be in addition to all
other remedies provided by law.
SECTION IV: PLAN EVALUATION
The goals and plan of work in the Plan will be reviewed and evaluated annually by the Eagle
County Weed Advisory Board. Any proposed additions or changes shall be recommended by
the Eagle County Weed Advisory Board and approved by the Board of County Commissioners
before becoming final.
The Plan shall be reviewed by the Eagle County Weed Advisory Board at least every three years,
pursuant to C.R.S. 35- 5.5- 107(4)(a); and the Plan and any recommended amendments to the Plan
shall be transmitted to the Board of County Commissioners for approval, modification or
rejection.
Eagle County Noxious Weed Management Plan Page 10
EXHIBIT 1: NOXIOUS WEEDS
DESIGNATED BY THE STATE AS OF FEBRUARY, 2011
LIST A:
African rue (Peganum harmala)
Camelthorn (Alhagi pseudalhagi)
Common crupina ( Crupina vulgaris)
Cypress spurge (Euphorbia cyparissias)
Dyer's woad (Isatis tinctoria)
Giant salvinia (Salvinia molesta)
Hydrilla ( Hydrilla verticillata)
Meadow knapweed (Centaurea pratensis)
Mediterranean sage (Salvia aethiopis)
Medusahead (Taeniatherum caput - medusae)
Myrtle spurge (Euphorbia myrsinites)
Orange hawkweed (Hieracium aurantiacum)
Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)
Rush skeletonweed (Chondrilla juncea)
Sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata)
Squarrose knapweed (Centaurea virgata)
Tansy ragwort (Senecio jacobaea)
Yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis)
LIST B:
Absinth wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)
Black henbane (Hyoscyamus niger)
Bouncingbet (Saponaria officinalis)
Bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare)
Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense)
Chinese clematis (Clematis orientalis)
Common tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)
Common teasel (Dipsacus fullonum)
Corn chamomile (Anthemis arvensis)
Cutleaf teasel (Dipsacus laciniatus)
Dalmatian toadflax, broad - leaved (Linaria dalmatica)
Dalmatian toadflax, narrow- leaved (Linaria genistifolia)
Dame's rocket (Hesperis matronalis)
Diffuse knapweed (Centaurea diffusa)
Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum)
Hoary cress (Cardaria draba)
Houndstongue (Cynoglossum officinale)
Jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica)
Eagle County Noxious Weed Management Plan Page 11
Leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula)
Mayweed chamomile (Anthemis cotula)
Moth mullein (Verbascum blattaria)
Musk thistle (Carduus nutans)
Oxeye daisy (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum)
Perennial pepperweed (Lepidium latifolium)
Plumeless thistle (Carduus acanthoides)
Quackgrass (Elytrigia repens)
Russian knapweed (Acroptilon repens)
Russian -olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia)
Salt cedar (Tamarix chinensis, T.parviflora, and T. ramosissima)
Scentless chamomile (Matricaria perforata)
Scotch thistle (Onopordum acanthium)
Scotch thistle (Onopordum tauricum)
Spotted knapweed (Centaurea maculosa)
Spurred anoda (Anoda cristata)
Sulfur cinquefoil (Potentilla recta)
Venice mallow (Hibiscus trionum)
Wild caraway (Carum carvi)
Yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus)
Yellow toadflax (Linaria vulgaris)
LIST C:
Chicory (Cichorium intybus)
Common burdock (Arctium minus)
Common mullein (Verbascum thapsus)
Common St. Johnswort (Hypericum perforatum)
Downy brome (Bromus tectorum)
Field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis)
Halogeton ( Halogeton glomeratus)
Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense)
Perennial sowthistle (Sonchus arvensis)
Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum)
Puncturevine (Tribulus terrestris)
Redstem filaree (Erodium cicutarium)
Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti)
Wild proso millet (Panicum miliaceum)
Eagle County Noxious Weed Management Plan Page 12
