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SECTION I <br /> INTRODUCTION <br /> 1.01 Overview <br /> Several species of non-native invasive plants, categorized as "noxious weeds", are <br /> known to exist in El Paso County. Without the natural controls that keep them in <br /> check, these weeds quickly dominate existing native and economic plant <br /> communities. Wildlife habitat deteriorates, water quality diminishes, erosion <br /> increases, fire regimes are altered, and recreation values are degraded. Native <br /> plant species play an integral role in all healthy ecosystems. They provide genetic <br /> material that strengthen our major food crops, provide food and shelter to animals, <br /> and enhance the landscape. In order to protect these ecosystems, invasive plant <br /> species must be controlled. <br /> In the continuing effort to protect and restore the value of the land in the State of <br /> Colorado, the Colorado Noxious Weed Act] (Title 35, Article 5.5, of the Colorado <br /> Revised Statute, hereinafter "Act") was developed. The objective of the Act is to <br /> curb the threat posed by noxious weeds to the natural resources of the State. In <br /> accordance with the Act, on or about February 7, 1991, the El Paso County Board <br /> of Commissioners established a local Noxious Weed Advisory Commission <br /> whose primary function is the development of an integrated management plan for <br /> noxious weeds within the area governed by the County. <br /> 1.02 Purpose of the Plan <br /> The purpose of this El Paso County Noxious Weed Management Plan ("Plan") is <br /> to provide guidelines for managing the noxious weeds that represent a threat to <br /> the natural and agricultural ecosystems of El Paso County. The Plan implements <br /> the mandates of the Act and strives to strengthen, support, and coordinate noxious <br /> weed management efforts between private, municipal, county, state, and federal <br /> entities. It is ultimately the responsibility of all landowners to employ methods <br /> and strategies to manage noxious weeds found on their property. <br /> 1.03 Enactment Authority <br /> The Colorado Weed Management Act, (now known as the Colorado Noxious <br /> Weed Act), § 35-5.5-101, et seq., C.R.S., was signed into state law in 1990. <br /> This article declares that there is a need to ensure that all lands of the state of <br /> Colorado, whether in private or public ownership, are protected by and subject to <br /> the jurisdiction of a local government empowered to manage undesirable plants <br /> (noxious weeds), as designated by the State of Colorado and the local governing <br /> body(El Paso County). <br /> 3 <br />