Noxious/Invasive Noxious/Invasive Weed Legislation Weed Legislation

Invasive Weeds Important contemporary environmental issueImportant contemporary environmental issue –Lots of work is needed to be done! Cooperation, Organization, MoneyCooperation, Organization, Money

Changes in Legislation & Public Policy & Public Policy

Public Policy Necessary? Invasive or noxious weeds often infest public landsInvasive or noxious weeds often infest public lands –Source for neighboring private land Weeds on private lands often spread to public lands as well!Weeds on private lands often spread to public lands as well! Invasive weeds a public issue as all parties affectedInvasive weeds a public issue as all parties affected –Weed legislation not a new concept

Colorado Legislation Before 1990Before 1990 –Weed control districts unpopular popular process Citizens petitioned county commissionersCitizens petitioned county commissioners Placed on ballotPlaced on ballot –Increased taxes so often voted down –At best, Colorado was a patchwork quilt of organized weed control efforts

Colorado Legislation 1990 first statewide mandatory weed law passed1990 first statewide mandatory weed law passed –Rep Lewis Entz and CWMA wrote bill –4 statewide noxious weeds Leafy spurgeLeafy spurge Russian, diffuse, and spotted knapweedsRussian, diffuse, and spotted knapweeds –State concerned over federal participation

Colorado Legislation Testimony Daniel Parker, Director State Soil Conservation Board:Testimony Daniel Parker, Director State Soil Conservation Board: –“One frequent comment concerning any weed program we might have in Colorado has to do with the effectiveness of such a program if the federal lands are not included”

Federal Legislation 1990 passed by Congress1990 passed by Congress –Section 2814 amended Federal Noxious Weed Act of 1974 All federal agencies required to manage noxious weeds in cooperation with state and local governmentsAll federal agencies required to manage noxious weeds in cooperation with state and local governments Written by INWACWritten by INWAC 2000 Plant Pest Act passed by Congress2000 Plant Pest Act passed by Congress –Section 2814 rolled into law without change

Colorado Legislation State Weed Law amended 1996:State Weed Law amended 1996: –Created statewide weed coordinator –Changed how noxious weeds determined County surveysCounty surveys Dramatic increase number of noxious weedsDramatic increase number of noxious weeds –Created state noxious weed trust fund Weed management area grantsWeed management area grants Educational grantsEducational grants State funds for eradication effortsState funds for eradication efforts

Federal Policy Executive Order February 1999Executive Order February 1999 –Created National Invasive Species Council Charged with developing and implementing management plan concerning invasive species for all federal agenciesCharged with developing and implementing management plan concerning invasive species for all federal agencies

Colorado Policy July 1999July 1999 –Governor Owens issued executive order in Colorado to develop invasive weed management programs & implement them in a coordinated & cooperative fashion Dept of AgDept of Ag Dept of Natural ResourcesDept of Natural Resources Dept of TransportationDept of Transportation Colorado State UniversityColorado State University

Colorado Policy December 2001December 2001 –Colorado Strategic Plan to Stop the Spread of Weeds was adopted 43 organizations endorsed the plan43 organizations endorsed the plan –4 goals Curb new introductionsCurb new introductions Prevent establishment newly introduced weedsPrevent establishment newly introduced weeds Stop the spread of established weedsStop the spread of established weeds Restore lands of exceptional ag & environmental valueRestore lands of exceptional ag & environmental value

Colorado Legislation February 2003 HB February 2003 HB –Amended Colorado Noxious Weed Act Changes flow neatly from Strategic PlanChanges flow neatly from Strategic Plan Changes how weed list determinedChanges how weed list determined –A,B,C categories –15 member advisory committee determines list and makes management recommendations Places state in better position to take advantage of federal programs and future legislationPlaces state in better position to take advantage of federal programs and future legislation

Colorado Noxious Weed Act A-list speciesA-list species –Must be eradicated from state Methods approved by Commissioner of AgMethods approved by Commissioner of Ag B-list speciesB-list species –Stop the spread –Or eradication; depending upon location Methods approved by Commissioner of AgMethods approved by Commissioner of Ag C-list speciesC-list species –Improved management

Healthy Habitats Coalition Advocacy Efforts Congress Re-direct funds to states:Re-direct funds to states: –$80/square mile federally managed lands –$40/square mile all other lands –Minimums and maximums $1 million min; $11 million max$1 million min; $11 million max –$3 million HI; $1.5 million island territories –$200 million annually; about $7.2 million annually to Coloradoabout $7.2 million annually to Colorado –Use of funds At least 80% on-the-groundAt least 80% on-the-ground Up to 10% administrationUp to 10% administration Up to 5% each for education & researchUp to 5% each for education & research

Summary & Future Come a long way over past 20 years but lots of hard work still to be accomplished!Come a long way over past 20 years but lots of hard work still to be accomplished! We need your help! s!We need your help! s! –Contact Governor Hickenlooper & Congress: Support Healthy Habitats Coalition’s effortsSupport Healthy Habitats Coalition’s efforts –Redirect funds to states –Get Federal agencies to effectively manage invasive species

Colorado State University Weed Science Weed Science