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LOCAL WEED HOTLINE DEBUTSPurple loostrife: Some invasive weeds have flowers gardeners like

I’m sure it has not escaped anyone’s notice that weeds are spreading rapidly in the Truckee Meadows and along the Truckee River.  These exotic invaders decrease property values, cost us money to control, ruin trails and parks, increase fire danger, destroy wildlife habitat, damage water quality, and interfere with recreation.  Weeds such as tall whitetop (Lepidium latifolium) invade the floodplain adjacent to rivers and creeks, choking out desirable vegetation and damaging riparian areas.

 Few people know it, but there’s a Nevada Revised Statute that governs noxious weed management.  According to NRS 555, each landowner or occupier is required to manage noxious weeds on their properties.  This means federal agencies, state, county, city governments and…you!  The noxious weed list can be found at NAC 555 .  For many years, despite this legal mandate, there has been little or no weed management locally, and no coordination of efforts.

Last year, in a real breakthrough for local weed management, with the help of the Nevada Dept. of Agriculture and the University of Nevada  Cooperative Extension, the Truckee Meadows Weed Coordinating Group (TMWCG) was formed, incorporating federal, state, county, and city partners as well as local residents and interest groups.  TMWCG, led this year by Patti Bakker of Public Resource Associates, has prioritized a dozen noxious weeds for control efforts:
Those with stars (*) are especially likely to be found growing in riparian sites.

Tall Whitetop Takes Over along rivers and streamsTall whitetop takes over along streams and rivers

Coordination of weed efforts has led to a number of accomplishments.  Reno Streets Dept. is working on weed mapping and control.  Washoe County Roads, which had been working on inventory and management for the past few years, has formed a weed “SWAT” team for emergency response to new infestations.  Washoe  County has also donated a phone line for use as a weed reporting hotline.  You can call the WeedBusters Hotline, 325-6989, to report an invasive weed.  Volunteers transcribe the messages and pass them on to Washoe County Roads, which determines land ownership and responsibilities as well as the identity of the weed and the need for coTall Whitetop flowers crowd out other plantsntrol.  Several grants have been obtained, and by next year, we’ll be able to hire seasonal crews to map and control weeds in high-priority areas.

To make this all work, we need your help!  There are many different ways to get involved:
  • Use the hotline to  report an infestation.
  • Request copies of a  brochure or hotline magnet from Cooperative Extension, 784-4848, to distribute to your group.
  • Give a talk about  weeds at your homeowner’s association or advisory board.
  • Consider mapping  weeds in your neighborhood or organizing a mapping or cleanup  project.
  • Take personal  responsibility for controlling weeds on your own property.
  • Pull weeds next time  you’re enjoying the river.
  • Attend a community  weed control day.
For more information, call Sue Donaldson at Cooperative Extension, 784-4848.


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Last Updated Wednesday, 08-Sep-2004 21:02:25 PDT :  September 2004