2016-07-28_REVISION - M2008006 (2)

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� e Larimer County Weed District The Larimer County weed management program will strive to minimize the occurrence of weeds and associated negative impac s on native plant communities,agricultural lands and public corridors in Larimer County.In doing so,staff will strive to establish and maintain • relationships within the community based on best land stewardship practices.We will achieve this through collaborative research and -1 his Weed discourse,making ourselves and our resources accessible to the public and continuing education amongst the general public as well as land stewardship professionals. ` Functions Ident!*!)_This Weed—end us your • Assist landowners with noxious weed problems through plant identification,weed mana citimt recommendations,and phow ofa heed to:d end development of vegetation management plans. • y. Promote noxious weed education and awareness by way of community presentations,site visits,and tours of collaborative field research plots demonstrating best management practices. • Manage noxious weeds on county property and roadside riltts-of-way. After the • Enforce the Colorado Noxious Weed Act on non-compliant property owners. ire What Are Noxious Weeds? $oil E[osinn CnnnuI A weed is often defined as'a plant out of place'.This simple definition can refs:to many different plants in many settings.A'naxious weed'has a special definition with a legal connotation.The Larimer County Weed District follows the guidelines of the Colorado State `beta°`Recovery Noxious Weed Act which defines'noxiou;weeds as plants that are exotic and invasive.Exotic means non-native,or weed species that originated in other parts of the world.Most of the weed species considered noxious in Colorado originated in regions of Eta ope and A;ia'w ith a climate similar to the Rocky Mountain Region.Invasive plants are those vigorous enough and competitive enough to crowd out desirable plant&and to doing so,decrease native plant doversity and wildlife habitat.The increased vigor and competitive ability of a non-patio a plant is the result of being incoduced iato a country with different grazing animals,predatory insects,disease and other limiting factors that kept the species in check in its native land. The Colorado State'oxious Weed Act lists 71 weed species considered to be a threat to the economy and environment of Colorado.Another 24 species are listed on the state's Watch List.The lists are categorized by priorities: • List A species are of the highest priority.These weeds are not well established in Colorado,are potentially a large probiem to this state,and require mandatory eradication by local governing agencies.There arc seven List A species in Larimer County. • List B�edi are common enough in parts of the state that eradication is not feasible,though the species are still recommended for eradication,suppression,or containment depending on distribution and densities around the state.The County has 16 of these species on the Larimer County Weed List. • List C series are widespread and well established. • Watch List are species which are on this list to educate and encourge identification and reporting.tin_.They ue determined by: 1.Not known to occur in the state but their noxious characteristics are found in the region. 2.They have been found to display noxious characteristics in plant communities similar to those in Colorado. 3.They have noxious characteristics as determined by the plant assessment process used by the stag:,yet their distribution and cifect on lands in the state is still unknown. The Larimer County,Noxious Weed Management Plan requires eradication of all List A species,as mandated by:he state,and containment and suppression measures for 16 of the List B species identified as significantly troublesome in Larimer County.Count outreach programs emphasize identification and managemert of the Ih List B species but the Weed District reserves the right to enforce on any state-listed noxious weed if infestation size and density deems it necessary.Other species.mo comtnot:to require control,are still considered troublesome weeds in the Countv and the Weed District will provide best management practices.The Weed District has also compiled a list of native and non-native plants that are often a concern with Larimer County residents that can be found in Prequently.Asked About Pasture Plants.For a comprehensive listia_*of weeds and to see a summary of the weed law go to Weed Law Summary and Weed Lists. Contact Information General laquiries Land Stewardship Manager Physical Address Office Haun (970)495-576S Casey C_,s 2649 E.Mulberry St.Suite 6 8 a.m.-4:30 am. Fav:97i)493-5776 (370)493-5769 Fort Cofhr.:.,CO 10524 Monday-Friday Send email Send email Please call ahead for an avP1-ne t --__----- --- - . (except.holidays)