Noxious Weed Control Laws
As I drive around the local area I see numerous fields and private lots in need of weed control. Many people may ask, "Why do I need to control weeds on my property?" Invasive weeds damage native vegetation, displacing native plants on millions of acres. They crowd out plants that have held footholds here for thousands of years and restrict or interfere with land management objectives.
More than 500 weeds in the United States and Canada are classified as noxious, presenting an enormous challenge to the landowners impacted by their arrival. A recent survey by the U.S. Department of the Interior found that noxious weeds have invaded 17 million acres of public rangelands in the West. Invading weed species in the United States cause major environmental damages and losses totaling more than $138 billion per year. The cost of invasive weed control alone is shared by everyone, from homeowners ($500 million/year) to golf courses ($1billion/year), to ranchers ($5 billion/year), and farmers ($3 billion/year).
First, let's define what a "Noxious Weed" is; a noxious weed is an invasive species of a plant that has been designated by country, state or provincial, or national agricultural authorities as one that is injurious to agricultural and/or horticultural crops, natural habitats and/or ecosystems, and/or humans or livestock. Here are a few noxious weeds identified in Nevada: Russian Knapweed, Perennial pepperweed (Tall whitetop), Cheatgrass, Puncture vine and Scotch thistle. A complete list can be found on the Noxious Weed Complaint Form at http://agri.nv.gov/PLANT_NoxWeedComplaintForm.htm .
So, who's responsible for controlling noxious weeds? The Inspection and Destruction of Noxious Weeds Section of NRS 555 advises that the control of noxious weeds is the responsibility of every landowner or occupant. The following are excerpts from these statutes.
NRS 555.150 - Every landowner or occupier, whether private, city, county, or federal shall cut, destroy, or eradicate all noxious weeds as required by the state quarantine officer.
NRS 555.160 - The state quarantine officer shall ascertain the name of the owner or occupant of infested lands. The state quarantine officer may serve notice in writing upon the owner or occupant to cut, destroy or eradicate the weeds within such a time and in such a manner as described in the notice.
NRS 555.170 - Should the owner/occupant fail, neglect, or refuse to comply, the state quarantine officer may notify the board of county commissioners for the county in which the property is situated.
The county board of commissioners shall proceed to have cut, destroyed, or eradicated the weeds in accordance with the initial notice.
NRS 555.180 - Control costs not paid by the owner shall be a lien against the property and shall be collected as provided by the law for the collection of other liens.
NRS 555.202-208 - Provides for the creation of a weed district that would be authorized to undertake the above steps to control weeds designated by the district.
Pershing County has a similar ordinance which list noxious weeds and their control requirements under the "Abatement of Public Nuisances" Ordinance 283. This ordinance states, "Weeds and noxious plant growth" means weed or overgrown grass, brush or vegetation that is offensive to the senses or injurious to health. This would include vegetation that creates a fire hazard.
Effective weed management and control in Nevada is complex because of the various agencies that are involved. Nearly 87 percent of the state is administered by the federal government, and there are a number of agencies that have an important role to play in a statewide weed program, such as our local "Weed District". For a copy of the Nevada State Weed Plan go to: http://agri.nv.gov/nwac/weed%20plan.pdf
If you need assistance identifying weeds and/or weed control measures, please contact the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension office in your area. The Pershing County UNCE office's phone number is 775-273-2923 or email me at fosters@unce.unr.edu .
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