Letter from Madison County Weed Board

Madison County Weed Board P.O. Box 278*Virginia City, Montana 59755*Physical Address: 2296 Hwy 287 Alder, MT 59710 Phone: Margie (406)842-5595*Janie (406)842-5596*Fax (406)842-5596 E-mail*Margie: madweed@3rivers.net Janie: amadweed@3rivers.net Dear Shining Mountains West Subdivision Landowners The last few years the Board has become aware of the growing problem of Spotted Knapweed, Hoary Alyssum and Houndstongue within the Shining Mountains West Subdivision. We would like to take this time to remind all landowners of their obligation to manage their properties. Noxious weeds are considered to be the biggest environmental threat to the health of Montana. These non-native species have the ability to create monocultures that displace our native species therefore displacing available forage for livestock and wildlife. Many of the non-native species also create areas where wind and water erosion are more prevalent. We would like to take this time to remind you that there are laws in Montana pertaining to the management of noxious weeds by landowners within our fair State. . Montana Codes 7-22-2115 states: “Noxious weeds and the seeds of noxious weeds are herby declared a common nuisance.” Montana Codes 7-22-2116 part (1) states: “It is unlawful for any person to permit any noxious weed to propagate or go to seed on the person’s land, except that any person who adheres to the noxious weed management program of the person’s weed management district or who has entered into and is in compliance with a noxious weed management agreement is considered to be in compliance with this sections.” Madison County’s Weed District Noxious Weed Management Plan outlines that noxious weeds present in Madison County must be managed. Now the good news. Madison County has many tools to help landowners in the county. We offer cost share to help offset costs incurred by private landowners for the management of noxious weeds. This cost share can be used by individuals purchasing herbicide to control noxious weeds or if they chose to use a licensed commercial applicator to do the work. The cost share program has a cap of $1,250.00 per calendar year and is utilized by many of the landowners in Madison County already. We also can provide recommendation sheets for appropriate herbicides, correct application methods and lastly a list of commercial applicators that serve our area. It is our hope that working together to address this growing problem, we can all meet with a successful outcome. If you have any questions or would like to visit further on developing a management program, please contact us. Thank you for your consideration in this matter. Sincerely, Margie N. Edsall, Program Coordinator Madison County Weed Board