What assistance is available to landowners for noxious weed management?
Author: Jessica Bushnell, Broadwater County Weed and Mosquito Control
What Assistance is Available to Landowners for Noxious Weed Management?
Jessica Bushnell
Broadwater County Weed and Mosquito Control
A common question we are asked is: "What programs are available to help me with noxious weeds?" Broadwater County offers a cost-share program, and at the state level, we have the Noxious Weed Trust Fund Grant and the Wildlife Habitat Improvement Grant. All these programs share a common need for information on noxious weed species, their locations, and population sizes. Effective management requires good information. EDDMapS is the preferred mapping program of the Montana Department of Agriculture and Broadwater County. EDDMapS is a user-friendly mapping tool that guides users through simple data entry. It is also compatible with other mapping tools and GIS programs. For more information about EDDMapS, visit: https://www.eddmaps.org
The Montana Department of Agriculture also offers assistance to landowners through its website at https://agr.mt.gov/Topics/N-P/Noxious-Weeds-Pages/MappingandMonitoringResources
The NWTFG and the WHIP grant also require landowners to work together. Landowners can form cooperative groups to make the application process easier and to help achieve greater impacts in noxious weed control efforts. A minimum of 3 landowners or agencies, adjacent to each other, is required for these programs. Another component of the WHIP is that the application must target priority wildlife habitat and a larger area, such as a watershed. For more information on these programs, contact Jessica Bushnell at brweed@broadwatercountymt.gov.
The Broadwater County Chemical and Biological Control Agent Cost Share Program helps residents offset the cost of herbicides and biological control agents. The Board recognizes that noxious weed treatment costs can be a barrier for landowners and aims to provide resources. Successful applicants can receive a 50% reimbursement of expenses, up to $500. Funding is not available for mowing, organic herbicides, soil sterilant, or commercial applicators.
The application is available on the county website, https://www.broadwatercountymt.gov, under the Noxious Weed Department tab. Paper copies are also available in the courthouse basement, next to the DMV. The application requests detailed information. If landowners have questions or would like help, please contact Jessica Bushnell, Noxious Weed Coordinator, at brweed@co.broadwater.mt.us or 406-266-9243.
The program has two application cycles; spring applications are due February 28th, and fall applications are due July 1st.
Article Images
Click on Image Thumbnail(s) to view fullsize image
PhotoCredit: Jessica Bushnell
Image 1 Caption: Musk Thistle
Photo Credit: Jessica Bushnell
