Humboldt County commissioners have appointed two people to the Paradise Valley Weed District Board after state officials expressed concern about board operations.
Bob Buckingham and Shane Hall will fill two of the three vacant positions on the board. Controversy resulted in the resignation of three of five PVWD board members and an inactive status because the board didn't have a quorum to oversee grant applications, receive funding, spend money or direct the effort of a paid weed coordinator.
Weed coordinator Daryl Reirsgard and his partner Tom Brophy have worked for the PVWD for several years but their status is uncertain.
Problems in the PVWD come at a time when weeds are in robust growth stage - several areas of Medusahead infestation have been discovered in the last couple of weeks - and the deadline for funding requests for the 2014 season is March 26.
Nevada Department of Agriculture Weed Program officials expressed concern to county commissioners March 17 over the status of the PVWD.
"Our office has gotten wind of some of the controversy with the board there," said Grants and Outreach Coordinator Jamie Greer.
"We're concerned that without the PVWD some of these large infestations won't be treated and losing one year could set us back five to 10 years of treatment."
She said she hopes the new board members will get up to speed quickly and the board will work together smoothly to get a coordinator and crews in place.
"The next couple of weeks are the time to control medusahead," said Greer. She added that farmers, ranchers, and other landowners are seeking funding and physical help from the weed district for weed control.
"We encourage you to work closely with that district to make sure they do appoint somebody as a coordinator and that the work gets done," said Robert Little, NDOA's regulatory coordinator,.
Paradise Valley has "one of the largest infestations of medusahead found in the state," said Greer.
The approximately 7,000 acres of Medusahead infestation are mostly on public land. She said although cheatgrass is more widespread, medusahead is being called the "next cheatgrass," referring to its quick spread and flammability.
Medusahead is worse than cheatgrass because, while cattle and wildlife can eat green, growing cheatgrass, medusahead has such a high silica (sand) content that it is unpalatable to deer or cattle and, if they are desperate enough to eat it, the silica in the plant wears down the grazer's teeth.
Medusahead is the state's No. 1 priority for weed eradication, according to Greer.
Little expressed his hope county commissioners will get involved if PVWD board members can't work cooperatively. He said the State Attorney General recently clarified the commissioners have the authority to remove board members as well as appoint them.
Who serves on such boards "is no concern to us" Little said, "as long as the board is intact and the work is being done."[[In-content Ad]]
