Agriculture 2012, The Chronicle, Omak, Wash. — Page 13
Weed program concentrates on nasty invaders By Sheila Corson The Chronicle OKANOGAN – The Okanogan County Noxious Weed Control Program is working on a reduced budget, but is still looking out for two especially nasty invaders. Director Anna Lyon said the office is down to one staff person per day in the winter, with furloughs for everyone. The office is still open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, but might be closed when a staffer needs to run an errand. The assessment funding the weed program has not been increased since 1992, so the office has had to make cutbacks to keep up with increasing expenses, Lyon said. The assessment is $4.74 per parcel plus 1 cent per acre. This year the program will be down one seasonal field worker. If grants come in, that position could come back. “We are anticipating grant funding, the question is how much,” Lyon said. State funding depends on the Weed Board and what cuts come down.
Noxious Weed Control Board
Hoary alyssum poses problems. The office also receives funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Lyon said the office will get what it needs to fund its crucial programs, such as Class A weed eradication. The two main problem weeds are spurge flax and hoary alyssum. Spurge flax is aggressive, difficult to control and not palatable to livestock. Hoary alyssum is toxic to livestock and can cause death. Animals are known to become
intoxicated after eating the plants. Spurge flax has been showing up more often. It was found in 2010 outside of its regular boundaries in Riverside. Lyon said the office surveyed about 25,000 acres and found plants in isolated pockets. “It might be more widespread than we think it is,” Lyon said. Off-road access is contributing to the spread. For hoary alyssum, one big source of spreading is haying, which can mix the weed in with the hay and the vehicle. The office also will continue offering its pesticide certification classes. The next is March 14 with a lunch offered at a fee. Proceeds will support the Okanogan County Fair.
County has spurge flax to itself By Zachary Van Brunt The Chronicle
“We’re the only known site west of South Dakota, so obviously the only site here in Washington state.” Spurge flax is a Class A noxious weed, meaning state law mandates the plant be eradicated. It’s also extremely difficult to spot, she said. “It takes a very trained eye to look at this plant,” Lyon said. “It’s amazing how much you actually have to see before you notice this
OKANOGAN – Spurge flax, a noxious weed first spotted in Okanogan County five years ago, has spread from a small infestation west of Riverside to contaminations as far north as areas between Tonasket and Loomis. “It’s pretty huge,” Okanogan County Noxious Weed Control Board Manager Anna Lyon said.
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