{"id":15382,"date":"2026-04-15T16:17:14","date_gmt":"2026-04-15T23:17:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/chelan-douglas\/?page_id=15382"},"modified":"2026-04-21T08:11:03","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T15:11:03","slug":"weed-management","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/chelan-douglas\/weed-management\/","title":{"rendered":"Weed Management"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>In October 2004, Douglas County Commissioners activated the<a href=\"https:\/\/www.douglascountywa.gov\/384\/Weed-Management-Task-Force\"> Douglas County Weed Management Task Force <\/a>and appointed nine individuals who geographically represent Douglas County agriculture and urban areas. Margaret Viebrock,&nbsp;WSU&nbsp;Extension, was appointed to facilitate this committee and help to develop weed management strategies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Members of this Task Force include representatives from Douglas County Transportation and Land Services, Foster Creek Conservation District, South Douglas Conservation District, Farm Service Agency, NRCS, and&nbsp;WSU&nbsp;Extension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Task Force Directives (Defined by the Douglas County Commissioners)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Develop a&nbsp;<strong>communication<\/strong>&nbsp;system with all entities that have weed control programs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Gain a&nbsp;<strong>better understanding<\/strong>&nbsp;of weed control methods used by other entities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Design a system to&nbsp;<strong>coordinate<\/strong>&nbsp;weed control efforts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Continue the process of developing an&nbsp;<strong>informed educational approach<\/strong>&nbsp;to weed management in Douglas County.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Engage landowners and agencies in a&nbsp;<strong>cooperative<\/strong>&nbsp;weed management program.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Proactive Approach to Weed management<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The Weed Management Task Force meets quarterly to coordinate and strengthen local weed control efforts.  During these meetings, both Task Force members and agency representatives provide updates on their activities and collaborate to develop effective strategies for communicating with landowners, government agencies, and agricultural producers throughout Douglas County.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Education on weed identification and control is delivered through a variety of methods, including one-on-one interactions, direct educational programs, newsletters, and media outreach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Members have also spent time in Olympia with state legislative groups explaining how the program has been successful in Douglas County.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Are Noxious Weeds?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Noxious Weeds are non-native plants that have been introduced accidentally or as ornamentals in people&#8217;s gardens.  Some weeds are poisonous to humans and livestock.  Many weeds grow rapidly and are extremely difficult to control.  They can reduce crop yields, displace desirable plant species, destroy beneficial native habitat, damage recreational opportunities, clog waterways and diminish land values.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Weed Classifications<\/h4>\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-row wsu-row--thirds\" >\r\n    \n<div class=\"wsu-column  wsu-border--add-top wsu-border--color-crimson wsu-color-background--gray-5\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n<div class=\"wsu-cta  wsu-cta--width-inline\" >\n\t<a \t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.nwcb.wa.gov\/class-a-noxious-weeds\"\t\n\t\tclass=\"wsu-button  wsu-button--style-round\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\tClass A Noxious Weed\t\t\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Class A Noxious Weeds- defined as non-native species limited in distribution in Washington State.  State Law requires that these weeds be <em><strong>eradicated<\/strong><\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-image wsu-zindex--level-0\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"792\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/64\/2026\/04\/milkthistle5-2-792x675.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15442\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/64\/2026\/04\/milkthistle5-2-792x675.jpg 792w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/64\/2026\/04\/milkthistle5-2-396x338.jpg 396w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/64\/2026\/04\/milkthistle5-2-768x655.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/64\/2026\/04\/milkthistle5-2.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 792px) 100vw, 792px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-column  wsu-border--add-top wsu-border--color-crimson wsu-color-background--gray-5\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n<div class=\"wsu-cta \" >\n\t<a \t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.nwcb.wa.gov\/class-b-noxious-weeds\"\t\n\t\tclass=\"wsu-button  wsu-button--style-round\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\tClass B Noxious Weed\t\t\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Class B Noxious Weeds &#8211; defined as non-native species either absent from or limited in distribution in some portions of Washington state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"396\" height=\"304\" src=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/64\/2026\/04\/kochia8-1-396x304.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15405\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/64\/2026\/04\/kochia8-1-396x304.jpg 396w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/64\/2026\/04\/kochia8-1-792x607.jpg 792w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/64\/2026\/04\/kochia8-1-768x589.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/64\/2026\/04\/kochia8-1.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 396px) 100vw, 396px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kochia (Bassia scoparia)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-column  wsu-border--add-top wsu-color-background--gray-5 wsu-border--color-crimson\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n<div class=\"wsu-cta \" >\n\t<a \t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.nwcb.wa.gov\/class-c-noxious-weeds\"\t\n\t\tclass=\"wsu-button  wsu-button--style-round\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\tClass C Noxious Weed\t\t\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Class C Noxious Weeds &#8211; defined as non-native plants already widespread in Washington State.  Counties can choose to enforce control or educate residents about controlling these noxious weeds or they can do both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-5 is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"396\" height=\"304\" src=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/64\/2026\/04\/treeofheaven3-2-396x304.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15408\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/64\/2026\/04\/treeofheaven3-2-396x304.jpg 396w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/64\/2026\/04\/treeofheaven3-2-792x607.jpg 792w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/64\/2026\/04\/treeofheaven3-2-768x589.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/64\/2026\/04\/treeofheaven3-2.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 396px) 100vw, 396px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wsu-cta \" >\n\t<a \t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.co.chelan.wa.us\/noxious-weed\"\t\n\t\tclass=\"wsu-button \">\n\t\t\t\n\t\tChelan County Noxious Weed Board\t\t\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-cta \" >\n\t<a \t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.okanogancounty.gov\/169\/Noxious-Weed-Control-Board\"\t\n\t\tclass=\"wsu-button \">\n\t\t\t\n\t\tOkanogan County Noxious Weed Board\t\t\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In October 2004, Douglas County Commissioners activated the Douglas County Weed Management Task Force and appointed nine individuals who geographically represent Douglas County agriculture and urban areas. Margaret Viebrock,&nbsp;WSU&nbsp;Extension, was [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":415,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_wsuwp_accessibility_report":null,"_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":0,"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_expiration_date":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"cahnrs_clean_page_nonce":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/chelan-douglas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15382"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/chelan-douglas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/chelan-douglas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/chelan-douglas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/415"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/chelan-douglas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15382"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/chelan-douglas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15382\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15448,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/chelan-douglas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15382\/revisions\/15448"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/chelan-douglas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15382"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/chelan-douglas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15382"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/chelan-douglas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15382"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}