Gallatin County Weed Board
Regular Monthly Meeting
August 2, 2007
Board members present were Jeff Littlefield (Chairman), Craig Morgan, Fred Bell and Joe Skinner (Commissioner). Bob Hofman was excused.
Others present were Dennis Hengel (Weed District Coordinator), John Ansley (Weed District Enforcement Coordinator), Keith Blewett (Big Sky Coordinator), Keith Mainwaring, Sam Rogers, Rob Brownell, Ron McOwen (Western Conservation), Steve Seise, Dan Alexander, Jackie Flikkema (JTL Group), Pete Fay, Elaine Oma, and Elaine Thomas.
Introductions. As there were so many guests Littlefield asked that those present introduce themselves.
Minutes. The Minutes of the July meeting had been mailed to the Board and were approved as submitted.
Claims. The Claims were reviewed and approved as presented.
OLD BUSINESS
1. Bylaws and Subdivision Review Fee Resolution for Signatures. Board members signed the previously approved resolutions for creation of the Weed District By-Laws and increasing the subdivision review fee.
2. County Noxious Weed List. Last week Hengel had sent out information to the Board members the names of the plants that are listed as County noxious weeds from the surrounding counties (Beaverhead, Broadwater, Deer Lodge, Madison, Meagher, Silverbow, Park). Hengel felt that of all the weeds listed that there were four (4) strong candidates for inclusion to the Gallatin County noxious weed list. The four weeds were Hoary Allysum, Scotch thistle, Field scabious and Scentless chamomile. There was discussion regarding these weeds. Note: The Board had started the process at the July 2007 meeting by passing a motion that Scotch thistle and Field scabious be added to the County weed list. After discussion, Fred Bell moved that the Board start the process to add Scotch thistle, Field scabious and Scentless
chamomile to the County noxious weed list. Craig Morgan seconded and the motion carried. Hengel will contact the State Department of Agriculture to verify the correct procedure for adding weeds to the list.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Public Comment/Other.
a. Rob Brownell - Ag Producer and former weed board member. Brownell stated that he commends the Weed District and Board for their recent efforts in education and enforcement. He felt that the Weed District is currently where the old Board wanted to be in the 1980’s. The efforts to meet the demands of a growing population in the county was a challenge even then. The lack of staff and funding was always the problem. He said that education combined with enforcement are vital components of the District’s program.
b. Keith Mainwaring – Small acreage Landowner with a passion for weed control. Thanked Commissioner Skinner for the opportunity to use the new information stand at the Courthouse. Mainwaring has been keeping the stand stocked with materials from the weed office. Mainwaring has applied for the open Board member position.
c. Ron McOwen – Local owner of landscaping business in the county for approximately 35 years. McOwen said that the noxious weed problem isn’t any smaller than it was 30 years ago. He feels there is a big problem within subdivision developments where lots are being sold to people who are inheriting a problem that should have been dealt with by the
developer. He felt that the developer should take responsibility and the Weed District needs to enforce that. He said that the Weed District’s recent efforts in education and enforcement are encouraging and for the District to continue in its enforcement efforts.
d. Dan Alexander – County resident on a weed committee within a subdivision. Alexander reiterated Ron McOwen’s statements. He said that developers need to make a better effort in controlling weeds in new subdivision and that developers should establish a fund for weed control for long term management of the weeds.
e. Steve Seise – County resident within an established subdivision. Seise congratulated the Weed Board on their recent enforcement program and achievements and agreed with McOwen’s statements.
f. Jackie Flikkema stated that JTL is working on weed management in the new gravel they have just opened (leased ground from Humane Society). Hengel stated that the Humane Society was contacted regarding SK infestation on the property in July/August of 2006. Humane Society Director, Margie Taylor, stated that they would hire Lynn Huyser to control SK in fall 2006 and spring 2007. Taylor then revised control measures to spring 2007. During winter Humane Society leased ground to JTL and did not control SK in spring as per agreement. When contacted Taylor said that control wasn’t necessary as property to be leased as gravel pit. Gravel pit operations will dig up SK and remove SK off-site. Taylor not concerned that SK would be spread to other properties. Hengel and JTL developed WMP to control SK
on leased ground. JTL has implemented WMP.
g. Pete Fay – Retired Extension Service State Weed Director and Researcher at Montana State University and former Weed Board member. Fay said that the enforcement program and subdivision review program were the most difficult part of the Weed District’s duties and responsibilities. Fay said that the District needs to continue their efforts with the enforcement and subdivision review programs. Fay said that Gallatin County looks good in comparison to other western counties due to past efforts by previous Boards and Coordinators.
2. Commissioner Report. In answer to the previous remarks Commissioner Skinner stated that the situation with developers is changing with additional conditions required for Preliminary Plat. Hengel said that the District is working with county planning and the county attorney’s office in developing improvements agreements language for new subdivision development in the county. Hengel also said the District is working with Andy Kerr (City of Bozeman Engineering Dept) to develop an improvements agreement for subdivisions within the City of Bozeman boundaries. Ron McOwen suggested that the developer not be released from responsibility until the weed control and revegetation is fully completed (3-4 years after development). However, Commissioner Skinner informed him that, by state law, improvements
agreements could only be in place for a certain length of time and is part of the problem. Skinner stated that the last hearing for the preliminary budget is Wednesday August 8th. He has had discussions with farmers in the Willow Creek area and they would like to see the District do more boom spraying. Hengel informed him that the District has already started boom spraying the more rural areas of the county. That further retrofitting the spray trucks is ongoing and expansion of the boom spray program will continue next year, herbicide budget dependent.
McOwen, Seise, Brownell, Alexander, Flikkema and Fay excused themselves from the remainder of the meeting.
3. Chairperson Report. Littlefield remarked that he had seen an article in the paper regarding a 10-year plan for the Fairgrounds and it looked like the current office building would no longer be in existence. Commissioner Skinner informed him that the building would not be going away soon. Littlefield also commented on a current TV Commercial for a new subdivision (Legends of Bridger Creek) that shows 2 young girls holding up pretty flowers that are actually leafy spurge.
4. Big Sky Project Report – Keith Blewett. Blewett passed out a report listing programs that he has been working on and the response by local citizens. The programs have been working very well as more people become aware of the noxious weeds in their area. Ads have been placed in local newspapers. The Big Sky Weed Committee has given out $2000 in Cost share this year. One problem that remains is availability of applicators. There will be a booth at the Country Fair this coming Saturday 4th August.
5. Enforcement – Ansley. John Ansley informed the Board that he has sent out 100 Inspection Notices. He has received 70 responses to the first letter. Of the 30 that did not respond to the Inspection Notice about 20 have responded to the Voluntary Compliance letter. Of the remaining 10, 4 are not at the deadline yet. One respondent, Maxey Partners, Ltd., refused to accept the Notice of Noncompliance. Weed District crews have sprayed the Maxey Partners, Ltd. property, (which is located behind the businesses that line North 7th Ave. between Durston and Oak streets). The District will follow up with mowing of the property in September and a bill will be sent to the company. Ansley has been unable to find a phone number for the company, which is based out of Missouri. Ansley also
reported that he has had 100% response to the more toned down “That Time of Year” letter. In April he will send a reminder to all individuals contacted this year so they can deal with their noxious weeds in a timely manner. Jeff Littlefield asked if any of the people on the enforcement program were using biological control. Hengel stated that the Weed District sent an enforcement letter to a property owner located on South Alaska Road. The property contains 10 acres of extremely high density Spotted knapweed. The property owner replied to the enforcement letter and said that about 15 years ago MSU had released insects (Kahler property) as a control measure for spotted knapweed. However, the release was not coordinated with the Weed District and an integrated approach (release of insects plus containment of perimeter to prevent weed spread) was not used to manage the knapweed. Hengel will get together with the property owner and discuss the proper integrated approach to
control the Spotted knapweed.
6. Coordinator Report.
a. Hengel reported that Andy Kerr (City of Bozeman) has approached him to try and set up a coordinated effort to get developers to take responsibility for new developments within the city limits. Hengel and Kerr will work together on this project.
b. The District crews have been working on cooperative projects with the MDT and assisting with spraying Gallatin Canyon and the West Yellowstone area.
c. The District crew has been working on a cooperative project with the town of Three Forks on the Headwaters Trail. The Town of Three Forks mowed the trail very early in April. The Weed District sprayed the regrowth of Spotted knapweed in June. The Town mowed the trail again in late July.
d. The District crews assisted with a cooperative project the FW&P in controlling spotted knapweed and Leafy Spurge at the Headwaters State Park.
e. The District crews assisted with a cooperative project with the FW&P in controlling spotted knapweed and Leafy Spurge at the Four Corners and Williams Bridge Fishing Access Sites.
f. The District crews assisted with a cooperative project (Piper gravel pit) in the Frog Rock WMA. At this time, because of the fire hazard, the District will not be able to complete the cooperative project with the internal roads. The road system are two-tracks with tall grass. The fire danger is too high to take spray trucks on the roads. Weather permitting, the project will start in the fall.
g. Hengel completed an on site inspection of the City of Bozeman Landfill. The City would like to contract with the Weed District on an annual basis for noxious weed control. The noxious weeds of concern are Spotted knapweed, Diffuse knapweed and Canada thistle. Crews will initiate control program next week. District will follow up next year.
h. The District crews sprayed the County owned property behind the Rest Home.
i. The District crews, in cooperation with the USFS and Big Horn Properties, treated the Big Horn Sheep range located north of Big Sky Spur Road for spotted knapweed.
j. The Weed District had a booth at the Gallatin County Fair.
k. Hengel and Mainwaring participated in a talk radio show on July 14th.
l. A new Board member will be appointed at the Public meeting on August 7, 2007, by the County Commissioners to complete Linda Vrooman’s term.
m. There have been two (2) major enforcement issues regarding subdivision approval. The first issue involved Churn Creek subdivision. The subdivision is located north of Bozeman off of Story Mill Road. A 200 acre parcel is being divided into 5 lots. The property contains 60 acres of abandoned farm ground that is heavily infested with cheat grass and houndstongue. The remainder of the property contains infestations of Canada thistle, Musk thistle, poison hemlock, spotted knapweed and leafy spurge. The developer submitted a very inadequate WMP for preliminary plat approval. Hengel did not approve the WMP and requested that the developer contact a professional applicator and landscaper to properly revegetate the fallow farm ground and to treat the noxious weeds. The developer (Barry Brown) has hired
Western Conservation. The second issue involved a piece of property that the owners are looking at selling for a gravel pit (Chesleys/Roth). The property has a high-density infestation of spotted knapweed. The Weed District issued a Notice of Noncompliance to the property owners and contacted the proposed gravel pit company regarding the issue. A proper WMP was developed for the property.
n. Hengel stated that he was contacted by a representative of the Mule Deer Foundation. The Foundation has funds available for a grant to be applied towards revegetation and weed control. The Foundation had previously contacted the USFS about the funds but had no success. The Foundation then contacted Hengel at the Weed District. Hengel initiated contacts with the USFS and FW&P and they are interested in developing a project with the Mule Deer Foundation. Meetings will be conducted, after the spray season, to get a program started.
7. Landowner Maintenance Agreement & Non Compliance Issue.
Elaine Oma, county resident on River Road, applied for a renewal of a “Landowner Maintenance Agreement” (previously named “No Spray Program”) with the Weed District. Oma had previously signed up for the program from 1995 to 2005.
Background: In August 2005, Hengel meet with Oma regarding the lack of control of spotted knapweed (SK) in the right-of-way (ROW) according to the “No Spray Program” and the lack of control of SK on her property. Oma said that she did not want herbicides on her property or in the ROW because she has goats. She wanted to control the SK by mechanical means and by feeding the knapweed to her goats. Hengel’s evaluation was that due to the size of the SK infestation and because of the previous 10 years of unsatisfactory mechanical control that any continued efforts by the same means would still result in noncompliance. Consequently, the “No Spray Program” with Oma was revoked. Oma was also informed that she was in noncompliance with the noxious weed law and that she needed to control the spotted
knapweed on her property.
Starting in 2005, the Weed District resumed responsibility of the ROW and removed and treated the SK in the ROW. Note: As of 2007, the ROW is currently in compliance with the noxious weed law.
On 07/09/07 Oma submitted an application for the “Landowner Maintenance Program.” On 07/10/07 Hengel inspected the ROW and Oma’s property (front yard and pasture visible from county road). No noxious weeds were noted in ROW. Oma’s property was worse than in 2005. Hengel denied Oma’s application for the “Landowner Maintenance Program” and also issued Oma a Notice of Noncompliance. A new agreement was not approved due to her lack of compliance as a participant in the program from 1995 to 2005. Oma was extremely upset that she was not approved for the “Landowner Maintenance Agreement” and was also issued a Notice of Noncompliance. Oma requested a meeting with the Weed Board.
There was extensive discussion by the Board regarding the issue, including picture documentation. The Board decided to develop a probationary program with Oma. Oma is required to control the SK on her property and in the ROW. If after two years Oma has successfully controlled the spotted knapweed the “Landowner Maintenance Program” will again be reinstated. The Board directed John Ansley to manage the probationary period. Oma will meet with Ansley and develop a written weed management plan. There will be photo documentation of the results of the control efforts. There will be fall and spring inspections of the property.
The meeting was adjourned at 3.05PM. The next meeting will be on September 6th, 2007.
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