Noxious Weeds

What is a noxious weed? 

Noxious weeds are a category of introduced, invasive plants regulated by Washington state law RCW 17.10. These plants are known to quickly spread and replace desirable plant communities in pastures, gardens, landscaped areas, meadows, forests, and wetlands. Noxious weeds are associated with a host of negative impacts, including threatening human or animal health, increasing wildfire risk, and degrading pasture, water, and habitat quality.  For these reasons noxious weeds receive special attention from residents to prevent their establishment and spread.  Noxious weeds must appear on the state’s official noxious weed list, which is found in WAC 16-750.

How do we manage noxious weeds?

The successful management of invasive plants is a community-wide endeavor and is an important component to good stewardship of our special islands.  Residents manage noxious weeds in a variety of ways depending on the species, season, available time and resources.  The San Juan County Noxious Weed Control Program supports residents' efforts by raising awareness of noxious weeds, notifying landowners where noxious weeds are present, demonstrating control tools and methods, offering no-cost site assessments & consultation, supporting no-cost debris disposal, and pitching in brawn during owner-led removal events.  Our staff also performs noxious weed management on public lands and road right of ways.  For large or ongoing jobs, local contractors are a great option for landowners seeking assistance with noxious weed control.  For an introduction to noxious weed control methods, visit the following Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board webpage.    

How can I get involved?

In addition to preventing the spread of invasive species on your parcel, consider "Adopting-A-Patch" by spending a little time each month attending to an infestation in your neighborhood or by joining a recurring service party.  Some surprising bonuses of noxious weed control include wildlife encounters, exercise, fresh air, and social connection.  Please contact us for ideas about how and where to get started.  We are buoyed to learn of our volunteer teammates, so please be in touch to share your challenges, successes, and photos.  Citizens can also contribute by joining Noxious Weed Control Board meetings as a board member or attendee.  Meetings are held on the first Friday of each month from 9-11 AM.  

What is the SJC Noxious Weed Control Program? 

The San Juan County Noxious Weed Control Board was started in the 1990s to raise awareness of noxious weeds affecting our county and to educate the public about control methods and noxious weed law in Washington State.  The six member board made up of county residents oversees and advises Noxious Weed Program staff, which includes one Program Manager-Coordinator, two Field Specialists, and 1-2 seasonal Field Technicians.  Nearly every other county in Washington State has its own noxious weed control board and corresponding staff.

Today our program provides invasive plant monitoring, education, consultation, and direct control support services for parcels throughout the county.   While formerly part of WSU Extension, we are now an independent department within the San Juan County Manager’s Office.