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What Are Noxious Weeds?

Current Weed List

Weed Fact Sheets

Weed Classifications

Education

Report Noxious Weeds

Noxious Weed Control Board

Knotweed

Poison Hemlock Information

Weed Map - Whatcom County

Poisonous Plants Booklet

The main objective of Whatcom County's Noxious Weed Program is to ensure that landowners control noxious weeds on their properties, as required by Chapter 17.10 RCW. Landowners are advised through the mail of impending visits by the compliance inspector. They are advised in person and/or by mail of the presence of weeds and the requirement for control. If landowners do not control the plants, the weed board has the option to hire a contractor to do the work (the contractor being paid by the weed board) and bill the landowner for the work. If the bill is not paid, a lien is placed on the property. Landowners are advised of enforcement activities through certified mail. The majority of landowners make at least some attempt to manage their weed problems.

Our Mission The Weed Board's primary mission is involved in the protection of our natural resources. We achieve our mission through promoting responsible land stewarship and providing current technical information for county residents relating to weed management, prevention, identification and locations of plant species.The Board works with two full-time staff and promotes education of the public concerning management of state and county listed invasive weeds such as tansy ragwort, knapweed, purple loosestrife, and knotweed. The Board consists of five voting members, representing five different areas or districts of the county. The positions are voluntary but members do receive mileage reimbursement for travel to meetings. Board members are appointed to serve four-year terms by the Whatcom County Council. Each appointee must reside in and represent one of five county districts, and must be a valid registered voter in Whatcom County. The Whatcom County Noxious Weed Board has two vacancies currently and we are looking to fill those voluntary positions. If you would like to apply, please contact the Noxious Weed Board office at 360-715-7470

Click on Scotch Broom image above to find more information on Board Member positions, district boundaries and to review our Board Policies and related activities.

Outreach and Assistance We provide education through different venues, including educational presentations, site visits, video and public service announcements. Click here to view our Education page.

More Weed Program Information

• Board Policies
• Whatcom  County Noxious Weed List-2012
• Noxious Weed Class Definitions and Criteria

Links to Additional Sources

• Lake Whatcom Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Program: http://www.lakewhatcom.whatcomcounty.org/lake-threats/aquatic-invasive-species
• Washington State Noxious Weed Board: http://www.nwcb.wa.gov/
  
• Whatcom County Cooperative Extension: http://whatcom.wsu.edu 
• Non-Native Freshwater Plants: http://ww.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/plants/weeds
• Poisonous Plants: http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/index.html
• Center for Invasive Plant Management: http://ww.weedcenter.org/