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Weed Board Philosophy
The invasion,
establishment and spread of noxious weeds is
one of the most serious threats to our natural resources today. Our wildlife,
native vegetation, water quality, aesthetics, agricultural production, forest
production and recreation either have been or are at risk of being altered to
unacceptable levels due to the spread of noxious weeds.
The Stevens County Noxious Weed Control Board strives to
represent the interests of all landowners and land-users in Stevens County. We
are working to establish and maintain an integrated vegetation management
approach toward the control of noxious weeds within our boundaries. We value the
diversity of the land as well as the diversity of the people who choose to make
this county their home.
Mission Statement
The mission
of the Stevens County Noxious Weed Control Board is to carry out the State
Noxious Weed Law
(RCW
17.10) in a manner which assists the land managers and land users of
Stevens County be responsible stewards of the land and resources
by protecting and conserving our agricultural lands, recreational areas and
natural resources from the degrading impact of exotic, invasive noxious weeds.
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Who's
Responsible
While the responsibility
for controlling noxious weeds lies with each landowner, the Weed Board has the
responsibility of seeing that the control work is carried out. When a
noxious weed infestation needing to be controlled comes
to the attention of
the Weed Board we will notify the landowner and make every effort to provide
the information needed to manage the weed.
Unsatisfactory weed control, whether through
outright refusal to take care of the
problem, lack of response to our attempts at contact, or ineffectual control
efforts may result in our office initiating enforcement proceedings, pursuant to
RCW
17.10 We will never carry out weed control measures as
part of enforcement proceedings without making several written and verbal
attempts to contact a landowner.
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Promoting Good Land
Management
Owners must realize that simple removal of noxious weeds
without a plan for follow-up action is short sighted and
generally will not constitute weed control over the long term. In fact, the
simple removal of one weed species may create an ideal condition for another to
establish. The removal of noxious weeds is a necessary first step, but the
Weed Board
recommends the establishment of healthy stands of competitive vegetation by
re-seeding, fertilization and other general "best
practices" land management by all owners in Stevens County. Failure to follow an effective land
management program can leave soils exposed and ripe for re-infestation by
noxious weeds as well as soil erosion.
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Local Land Management Agencies
In addition to the Stevens County Noxious Weed Control Board office, the
following local agencies are available to help you develop effective weed
control measures and a general land management program for your property:
WSU Stevens County Extension:
Debra Kollack, Director (509)
684-2588;
986 South Main, Suite D, Colville, WA 99114 FAX (509) 684-9790
Natural Resources Conservation Service:
Dave Kreft, District Conservationist
(509) 685-0937;
232 Williams Lake Road, Colville, WA 99114 FAX (509) 684-1982
Farm Service Agency:
Marty Cunningham, County Executive Director (509) 685-0858;
232 Williams Lake Road, Colville, WA 99114 FAX (509) 684-1982
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Services, Materials, &
Information Provided
Many materials and sources of valuable information are available, free of
charge, at the Stevens County Noxious Weed Control Board Office. We offer an
array of weed and plant identification books, pictures, slides and actual plant
samples for public use. Copies of the state weed
laws, industry studies, current research projects, news articles and periodicals
can be picked up or viewed at the office.
Our staff can visit your property,
or property you are thinking about purchasing, at your request to
help you identify weeds or do a general inspection to advise if you have any
weeds of concern. We can make noxious weed control recommendations based on
the use of your land, desired and existing vegetation, proximity to water
sources, and more. This inspection service is provided free of charge and on an
as-time-permits basis. Give us a call at 509.684.7590
(TTY: 800.833.6388) to set up an appointment.
We have some backpack
sprayers as well as a few larger (15, 25 & 100 gallon) units for rent.
We administer an Owner Will Maintain
program for landowners living along a county road and who wish to maintain
noxious weed control in their right-of-way frontage themselves rather than have
the Public Works Department do it. And, for certain noxious weeds of
limited distribution in the county, we have cost-share
programs available.
In the interest of keeping up to date with the changes and progresses in
laws, products, management strategies and the like, the Board members,
Coordinator and staff maintain membership in industry related organizations.
We
strive to provide you with the knowledge you need to make informed, practical
and effective management decisions. If we don’t have the answers or the
materials you need, we will do our best to get them for you or refer you to who
can help.
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Noxious
Weed Assessment-FIRST Change Since 1995
On June 7, 1993, the Board of Commissioners of Stevens County conducted
a public hearing to consider proposed levels of assessment from the Weed
Board. After receiving public testimony and review of written materials
and proposals, the BOCC adjourned the meeting to June 13, 1994. Based on
the testimony and written materials presented at the continuation the
BOCC passed Resolution #100-1994, dated June 28, 1994 to levy a weed
assessment on all lands located within Stevens County. The rates set in
this resolution were in effect from Jan 1995-Dec 2008. On August
25, 2008, the BOCC passed
Resolution No. 65-2008
reflecting the first raise in the Assessment rate in 14 years, effective
Jan 2009 as follows:
-
improved, unimproved and open space
lands at $.13/acre for parcels in excess of 55 acres and a flat fee
of $7.15/parcel for all parcels 55 acres and less.
-
forest and timber lands at $.04/acre
for parcels in excess of 125 acres and a flat fee of $7.15/parcel for
parcels 125 acres and less.
-
lands within boundaries of any
incorporated town/city at $3/parcel.
We sincerely appreciate the support of
citizens and the Commissioners during the hearings held prior to approval of the
assessment increase.
If you would like a copy of the full
resolution language, please contact the Weed Board.
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Board Meetings
The public is invited and encouraged to attend our
monthly board meetings and
our annual weed list hearing. This is your chance to offer suggestions for
changes to the county weed list. Unless noted otherwise, all meetings are
held in the conference room in our building, 230 Williams Lake Road,
Colville.
2012 SCNWCB Board Meeting Schedule:
Generally the 2nd Monday of each month, 11:30
a.m. during winter months and
7 p.m. all other months unless noted:
No
Business Meeting in January
Annual Meeting, Weed List
Hearing and Business Meeting, February 16, 8:00-4:30,
"Ambulance Shack"-next to Ronnie-D's Drive Inn, Main Street, Colville
Click Here
For an Agenda
March 12, 7:00 p.m.
April 9, 7:00 p.m.
May 14, 7:00 p.m. June
11, 7:00 p.m.
July
9, 7:00 p.m.
August 13, 7:00 p.m.
September 10, 7:00 p.m.
October 8, 7:00 p.m. November
13, 11:30 a.m. December
10, 11:30 a.m.
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