What's Next After Election: Weed Levy Approved

The Jefferson County Weed District works to manage weeds on county property, road right -of -ways, and areas of public interest and activity. The District also works with the cities of Boulder and Whitehall to manage weed infestations.

Technical assistance may be provided to individual residents, agricultural, industrial, and governmental interest to aid in the safe and efficient management and control of noxious weeds.

The Weed District is charged with the responsibility of administrating the County Weed Control Act.

Our goal is to aid with environmental protection by controlling or managing invasive weeds that damage property, waterways, and wildlife habitat.

The county weed district offices are open and available all year for consultation, education, plant identification, and herbicide assistance. The District also has spray equipment available for rent, and can refer landowners to commercial application services should the landowner choose not to spray their own weeds. The County does NOT spray private ground for hire. We invite any and all landowners to stop in or call with any questions or concerns they might have about weeds or managing their property most effectively.

Cost share is a cost deferment program offered through the county and put into place through the election process of a mill levy tax. The cost share program offers an approximately 49% savings on herbicides to landowners.

Each season the District obtains weed control products through a competitive bid process. These products are made available to Jefferson County landowners at a discounted rate for the control of noxious weeds listed on the Montana State Noxious Weed List.

In order to participate in the cost share program, landowners must:

1. Be a resident or have control of lands in Jefferson County

2. The participants must have on file with the District a weed management plan covering the area where

the products are to be applied

3. The products obtained through the District must be used only in Jefferson County

4. All users must read and follow the product label before application

5. Keep a record as to where the products have been applied, and at what rates

These services are funded by the weed mill levy. Without the mill levy funds the services would be greatly reduced or potentially eliminated. We thank you again for your support of the continuation of this mill levy.

Summary of Services

• Weed identification

• Formulation of an integrated weed management plan

• Herbicide cost-share assistance

• Pest management assistance and information

• Herbicide application equipment rental

• Pest management information

• Educational and recertification classes

• Property visits — what’s on your land?

Jefferson County has several units available for rent at a nominal fee. We encourage residents unfamiliar with the operation of these units to ask for a brief tutorial on their use.

• Backpack sprayer (3-4 gallon): $5/day

• Slide-in truck sprayer (55 gallon): $25/day

Several biocontrol agents are available through the Jefferson County/Whitehall Biocontrol Program. These insects are host-specific and require release site habitat compatible to their life cycle.

Agents are available for the following plants:

• Leafy Spurge

• Spotted Knapweed

• Russian Knapweed

• Canada Thistle

• Dalmatian Toadflax

• Yellow Toadflax

Please contact Todd Breitenfeldt 406-498-5236, Kendra Klapan 406-565-7626 or Jill Allen 406-498-3052 for further information.