Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board
1111 Washington Street; P.O. Box 42560; Olympia, WA 98504-2560
Alison Halpern, Executive Secretary
(360) 902-2053
FAX (360) 902-2094
Email: ahalpern@agr.wa.gov
PRESS RELEASE: October 13, 2008
Changes Proposed for the 2009 Noxious Weed List;
Hearing Set for Yakima, November 4, 2008
OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board (WSNWCB) has received numerous proposals to make changes to the noxious weed list. The board annually reviews the noxious weed list, which currently consists of 135 species and is the basis for weed regulation in Washington. For 2009, three plant species are being considered as Class A noxious weeds and two closely related species are being considered as Class C noxious weeds. A Class B noxious weed may be changed to a Class A noxious weed. Finally, designation of 8 Class B noxious weeds may be changed.
Shiny geranium, Geranium lucidum, and false brome, Brachypodium sylvaticum, are two woodland species that have been proposed as Class A noxious weeds. Shiny geranium is a small annual or biennial that closely resembles the common weed doves-foot with glossy, divided, round leaves and small pink flowers. It behaves similarly to our noxious weed herb-Robert and readily and rapidly invades woodland habitat, and it is difficult to eradicate from natural areas. False brome is a grass species with fuzzy, arching leaves that also colonizes forest understories at an alarming rate, although like shiny geranium, it can also thrive along roadsides, woodland clearings, and prairies. Populations of both species have been reportedly exploding in northwest Oregon over the past few years, especially in the Eugene and Portland areas. Shiny geranium distribution in Washington State is limited to a few locations in Clark and Skagit counties, and false brome has only been detected in two locations in Skamania and Cowlitz counties, although both populations have already been treated.
Flowering rush, Butomus umbellatus, is a wetland emergent species that grows in and along streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes. It is capable of growing in standing water up to ten feet deep, but it can also grow on drier banks as well. This species can dominate shorelines, potentially outcompeting native emergent wetland species and it may also reduce recreational use of shorelines and impede irrigation. Flowering rush has tall, triangular, fleshy leaves and attractive pink flowers. Often used as a pond ornamental, it has been on the WSDA quarantine list for around eight years. There are established populations in a lake in Whatcom County and in a small portion of the Yakima River in Benton County. The distribution of these three species is extremely limited in Washington; therefore, they are being proposed as Class A noxious weeds, meaning that eradication will be required. The goal is to eliminate the few populations that currently exist and prevent these invasive plants from becoming more of a problem in Washington State.
Two closely related species have been proposed as Class C noxious weeds: Himalayan and evergreen blackberry, Rubus armeniacus and R. laciniatus, respectively. Both species meet the three criteria of noxious weeds in that they are non-native, invasive, and are difficult to control and both species are widespread – particularly in western Washington - although Himalayan blackberry is more prevalent than evergreen blackberry. Although these species are a nectar source for pollinators and provide fruits for animals and people, they also have many serious ecological impacts. Invasive blackberries outcompete native species and form dense thickets that can restrict movement of animals and people, impede access along rights-of-way, and can also harbor rats and other vermin. They are also fast spreading and control of these species requires persistence. As Class C noxious weeds, control will not be required at the state level, although individual county noxious weed control boards have the option of selecting the species for control, especially if the species are not yet prevalent in the county. Because these blackberry species are so widespread in much of western Washington, many county weed boards have been and will continue to provide education on how to control invasive blackberries to interested landowners.
A proposal was submitted to have the noxious weed class of smooth cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora, changed from a Class B noxious weed to Class A noxious weed due to substantial reductions in its distribution. This species is most abundant in Willapa Bay, although the acreage has decreased dramatically.
The Asotin County Noxious Weed Control Board has requested designation changes for of seven Class B noxious weeds: white bryony, Bryonia alba; annual bugloss, Anchusa arvensis; longspine sandbur, Cenchrus longispinus; Bohemian knotweed, Polygonum bohemicum; giant knotweed, P. sachalinense; Himalayan knotweed, P. polystachum; Japanese knotweed, P. cuspidatum; myrtle spurge, Euphorbia myrsinites; and yellow starthistle, Centaurea solstitialis. Lawnweed, Soliva sessilis, may be designated in Snohomish County.
For more information about these proposed changes or on noxious weed control, visit the WSNWCB website at www.nwcb.wa.gov. The WSNWCB welcomes written and oral testimony at our public hearing at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 4 at the Red Lion Hotel in Yakima, located at 607 E. Yakima Avenue. The meeting is being held earlier than usual this year to coincide with the annual Washington Weed Conference, which takes place from November 5-7. Written comments can be submitted via U.S. mail if they are received no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 31, 2008 and can be mailed to WSNWCB; P.O. Box 42560; Olympia, WA 98504-2560. Written comments may also be submitted via email to ahalpern@agr.wa.gov or by fax to 360-902-2094 until 9 a.m. on Monday, November 3, 2008.
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