Officials remind state's landowners to battle their noxious weeds

As snows recede and temperatures go up, state noxious weed officials are warning the time is here for the renewal of the annual battle for Idaho’s lands and waters.

“Noxious weeds are a serious issue that needs the cooperation of farmers, ranchers, conservationists, sportsmen, landowners, state and federal agencies and anyone who owns land or cares about Idaho’s agriculture, ecology and economy,” said Roger Batt, Idaho Weed Awareness Campaign coordinator.

More than five-dozen non-native noxious plants have been introduced (often accidentally) by humans into Idaho. Here they have thrived in new areas choking out crops and native plants, rendering once valuable lands useless and providing poor habitat for wild game and other animals. One of Idaho’s aquatic noxious weeds (Eurasian watermilfoil) has the potential to impact waterways, destroy fisheries, and hinder power generation.

“Noxious weeds destroy Idaho’s wildlife habitat. They diminish property values on lakes and on the land and they are now threatening Idaho’s waterways, recreation and our way of life,” Batt said. The result this year alone will be approximately $300 million in direct damages to Idaho’s economy. Nationally, noxious weeds undermine the productivity of 64-crops accounting for an estimated loss of $37 billion.

Weed officials say Idaho landowners are the state’s first line of defense against noxious weeds. Many landowners mistakenly think it’s the responsibility of state or local government to take care of everyone’s noxious weeds, but noxious weed officials are quick to point out that’s not how the law reads. Idaho law places the responsibility for control of noxious weeds on the landowner, whether it is public or private land.

That responsibility fixed on the property owner means it is critical that Idaho landowners take action against noxious weeds on their land before these weeds can spread. Now more than ever, what Idaho needs is the support of landowners in battling the spread of noxious and other invasive weeds, weed officials emphasized.

“Fortunately, we live in a state where our elected leaders recognize the threat to Idaho from nonnative invasive plants. Governor Otter, the Idaho Legislature and our entire Idaho congressional delegation have worked diligently to help increase the awareness of this issue and to pass legislation to prevent, contain and manage these noxious invaders,” Batt explained.

Information: www.idahoweedawareness.org