No. 39965 (Amendment): Rule R68-9. Utah Noxious Weed Act

(Amendment)

DAR File No.: 39965
Filed: 11/30/2015 05:26:37 PM

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

The proposed changes would add specific weeds that need to be contained and managed so as to avoid their spread across the state.

Summary of the rule or change:

The rule is amended to adjust the list of the state's noxious weeds. Weed species are being added to the list at the advisement of the State Weed Committee. The new list was proposed by the State Weed Committee in cooperation with the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, Utah Department of Natural Resources, Utah State University, Utah Association of Counties, Utah Weed Control Association, Utah Weed Supervisors Association, and Private Land Owners.

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

• Title 4, Chapter 17

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

The new list of weeds is a watch list for new weed species entering the state. The state fiscal budget should not be impacted by this change, as there is already an existing program and operating procedures for controlling noxious weeds.

local governments:

County weed control programs identify and control noxious weeds found in their individual counties. County weed supervisors will need to increase identification of potential noxious weeds from the new list. If the new weeds from the list are found, then additional control methods will need to be used which would increase the cost of control in individual county budgets where these weeds are found. For some counties, it is anticipated that the cost for control of the new list could range from $100,000 through $500,000 in additional costs to a single county budget.

small businesses:

No impact is expected, rule only governs county weed control programs. Small businesses play no role in the enforcement of this rule and therefore will not be affected by this rule.

persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local governmental entities:

There may be minimal impact on lands owners who are found to have these weeds on their properties. Land owners will have to treat the species if located on their properties. However, as most of newly listed weeds are currently not known to exist in the state it is anticipated that there will be no additional costs at this time.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

This change in the rule will cause an increase in the costs for compliance. Affected persons who are land owners will have to treat the new list of noxious weeds located on their properties. Because most of the new weeds being added to the list are not known to exist in our state, it is not anticipated that this cost will be substantial at this time. As these new weeds are identified and treated in the early stage of development, the future costs of compliance should remain fairly low. Several of the weed species on the new list are found in several of the counties located along the Wasatch Front. For these counties it is anticipated that the cost for control of the new list could range from $100,000 through $500,000 in additional costs to a single county budget.

Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:

There will be a minimal cost increase for businesses. The new weed list will mainly affect individual property owners and City/County weed control budgets. Businesses that purchase, maintain, or sell land infested with noxious weeds are not expected to be directly impacted by this rule change since the new weeds listed are not generally known to exist in our state at this time. The reason for the rule change is to give additional protection against the possibility of infestation from weeds found in surrounding states.

LuAnn Adams, Commissioner

The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Division of Administrative Rules, or at:

Agriculture and Food
Plant Industry
350 N REDWOOD RD
SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84116-3034

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

• Kathleen Mathews at the above address, by phone at 801-538-7103, by FAX at 801-538-7126, or by Internet E-mail at [e-mail]
• Robert Hougaard at the above address, by phone at 801-538-7187, by FAX at 801-538-7189, or by Internet E-mail at [e-mail]
• Scott Ericson at the above address, by phone at 801-538-7102, by FAX at 801-538-7126, or by Internet E-mail at [e-mail]

Interested persons may present their views on this rule by submitting written comments to the address above no later than 5:00 p.m. on:

01/14/2016

This rule may become effective on:

01/21/2016

Authorized by:

LuAnn Adams, Commissioner

RULE TEXT

R68. Agriculture and Food, Plant Industry.

R68-9. Utah Noxious Weed Act.

R68-9-1. Authority.

Promulgated under authority of 4-2-2 and 4-17-3.

 

R68-9-2. Designation and Publication of State Noxious Weeds.

A. The following weeds are hereby officially designated and published as noxious for the State of Utah, as per the authority vested in the Commissioner of Agriculture and Food under Section 4-17-3:

There are hereby designated [three]five classes of noxious weeds in the state: Class 1A (EDRR Watch List) , Class [B]1 (EDRR), Class 2 (Control) , [and ]Class [C]3 (Containment) , and Class 4 (Prohibited for sale or propagation).

 

TABLE

 
[Class A: Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR) Declared 
noxious weeds not native to the sate of Utah that pose a 
serious threat to the state and should be considered as a 
very high priority. 
 
    Blackhenbane                 Hyoseyamus niger (L.) 
    Diffuse Knapweed             Centaurea diffusa (Lam.) 
    Leafy Spurge                 Euphorbia esula L. 
    Medusahead                   Taeniatherum caput-medusae 
    Oxeye daisy                  Chrysanthemum leucanthemum L. 
    Perennial Sorghum spp.       including but not limited 
                                 to Johnson Grass (Sorghum 
                                 halepense (L.) Pers.and 
                                 Sorghum Almum (Sorghum 
                                 Almum,Parodi). 
    Purple Loosestrife           Lythrum salicaria L. 
    Spotted Knapweed             Centaurea maculosa Lam. 
    Squarrose Knapweed           Centaurea Squarrosa Gugle. 
    St. Johnsworts               Hypericum perforatum L. 
    Sulfur cinquefoil            Potentilla recta L. 
    Yellow Starthistle           Centaurea solstitialis L. 
    Yellow Toadflax              Linaria vulgaris Mill.] 
 Class 1A: Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR) Watch List 
Declard noxious and invasive weeds not native to te state of 
Utah and not known to exist in the State that pose a serious 
threat to the state and should be considered as a very high 
priority. 
 
Common crupina                     Crupina vulgaris 
African rue                        Peganum harmala 
Small bugloss                      Anchusa arvensis 
Mediterranean sage                 Salvia aethiopis 
Spring millet                      Milium vernale 
Syrian beancaper                   Zygophyllum fabago 
Ventenata (North Africa grass)     Ventenata dubia 
Plumeless thistle                  Carduus acanthoides 
Malta starthistle                  Centaurea melitensis 
 
 
[Class B: (Control) Declared noxious weeds not native to the 
state of Utah, that pose a threat to the state and should be 
considered a high priority for control. 
 
   Bermudagrass*                Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. 
   Broad-leaved Peppergrass     Lepidium latifolium L. 
      (Tall Whitetop) 
   Dalmation Toadflax           Linaria dalmatica (L.) Mill 
   Dyers Woad                   Isatis tinctoria L. 
   Hoary cress                  Cardaria spp. 
   Musk Thistle                 Carduus nutans L. 
   Poison Hemlock               Conium maculatum L. 
   Russian Knapweed             Centaurea repens L. 
   Scotch Thistle               Onopordium acanthium L. 
      (Cotton Thistle) 
   Squarrose Knapweed           Centaurea virgata Lam. Ssp] 
 Class 1B: Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR) 
Declared noxious and invasive weeds not native to the State of 
Utah that are known to exist in the state invery limited 
populations and pose a serious threat to the state and should 
be considered as a very high priority. 
 
Camelthorn                         Alhagi maurorum 
Garlic mustard                     Alliaria petiolata 
Purple starthistle                 Centaurea calcitrapa 
Goatsrue                           Galega officinalis 
African mustard                    Brassica tournefortii 
Giant reed                         Arundo donax 
Japanese knotweed                  Polygonum cuspidatum 
Blueweed (Vipers bugloss)          Echium vulgare 
Elongated mustard                  Brassica elongata 
Common St. Johnswort               Hypericum perforatum 
Oxeye daisy                        Leucanthemum vulgare 
Cutleaf vipergrass                     Scorzonera laciniata  
[Class C: (Containment) Declared noxious weeds not native 
to the sate of Utah that are widely spread but pose a threat 
to the agricultural industry and agricultural products with a 
focus on stopping expansion. 
 
    Field Bindweed               Convolvulus spp. 
       (Wild Morning-glory) 
    Canada Thistle               Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. 
    Houndstounge                 Cynoglossum officianale L. 
    Saltcedar                    Tamarix ramosissima Ledeb. 
    Quackgrass                   Agropyron repens (L.) 
                                 Beauv. 
 
     * Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) shall not be a noxious 
weed in Washington County and shall not be subject to 
provisions of the Utah Noxious Weed Law within the boundaries 
of that county.  It shall be a noxious weed throughout all 
other areas of the State of Utah and shall be subject to the 
laws therein.] 
 Class 2: Control 
Declared noxious and invasive weeds not native to the state of 
Utah, that pose a threat to the state and should be considered 
a high priority for control.  Weeds listed in the control list 
are known to exist in varying populations throughout the 
state.  The concentration of these weeds is at a level where 
control or eradication may be possible. 
 
Leafy spurge                       Euphorbia esula 
Medusahead                         Taeniatherum caput-medusae 
Rush skeletonweed                  Chondrilla juncea 
Spotted knapweed                   Centaurea stoebe 
Purple loosestrife                 Lythrum salicaria 
Squarrose knapweed                 Centaurea virgata 
Dyers woad                         Isatis tinctoria 
Yellow starthistle                 Centaurea solstitialis 
Yellow toadflax                    Linaria vulgaris 
Diffuse knapweed                   Centaurea diffusa 
Black henbane                      Hyoscyamus niger 
Dalmation toadflax                 Linaria dalmatica 
 
Class 3: Containment 
Declared noxious and invasive weeds not native to the State of 
Utah that are widely spread. Weeds listed in the containment 
noxious weeds list are known to exist in various populations 
throughout the state.  Weed control efforts may be directed at 
reducing or eliminating new or expanding weed populations. 
Known and established weed populations, as determined by the 
weed control authority, may be managed by any approved weed 
control methodology, as determined by the weed control 
authority.  These weeds pose a threat to the agricultural 
industry and agricultural products. 
 
Russian knapweed                   Acroptilon repens 
Houndstounge                       Cynoglossum officianale 
Perennial pepperweed               Lepidium latifolium 
  (Tall whitetop) 
Phragmites (Common reed)           Phragmites australis ssp. 
Tamarisk(Saltcedar)                Tamarix ramosissima 
Hoary cress                        Cardaria spp. 
Canada thistle                     Cirsium arvense 
Poison hemlock                     Conium maculatum 
Musk thistle                       Carduus nutans 
Quackgrass                         Elymus repens 
Jointed goatgrass                  Aegilops cylindrica 
Bermudagrass*                      Cynodon dactylon 
Perennial Sorghum spp.             including but not limited 
                                   to Johnson Grass (Sorghum 
                                   halepense)and Sorghum 
                                   almum (Sorghum almum). 
Scotch thistle (Cotton thistle)    Onopordum acanthium 
Field bindweed                     Convolvulus spp. 
  (Wild Morning-glory) 
Puncturevine(Goathead)             Tribulus terrestris 
 
* Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) shall not be a noxious 
weed in Washington County and shall not be subject to 
provisions of the Utah Noxious Weed Law within the boundaries 
of that county.  It shall be a noxious weed throughout all 
other areas of the State of Utah and shall be subject to the 
laws therein. 
 
Class 4: Prohibited 
Declared noxious and invasive weeds, not native to the state 
of Utah, that pose a threat to the state through the retail 
sale or propagation in the nursery and greenhouse industry. 
Prohibited noxious weeds are annual, biennial, or perennial 
plants that the commissioner designates as having the 
potential or are known to be detrimental to human or animal 
health, the environment, public roads, crops, or other 
property. 
 
Cogongrass                         Imperata cylindrica 
  (Japanese blood grass) 
Myrtle spurge                      Euphorbia myrsinites 
Dames Rocket                       Hesperis matronalis 
Scotch broom                       Cytisus scoparius 
Russian olive                      Elaeagnus angustifolia 
 
Each county in Utah may have different priorities regarding 
specific State designated Noxious Weeds and is therefore able 
to reprioritize these weeds for their own needs.

 

R68-9-3. Designations and Publication of Articles Capable of Disseminating Noxious Weeds.

A. As provided in Section 4-17-3, the following articles are designated and published by the Commissioner as capable of disseminating noxious weeds:

1. Machinery and equipment, particularly combines and hay balers.

2. Farm trucks and common carriers.

3. Seed.

4. Screenings sold for livestock feed.

5. Livestock feed material.

6. Hay, straw, or other material of similar nature.

7. Manure.

8. Soil, sod and nursery stock.

9. Noxious weeds distributed or sold for any purpose.

10. Livestock.

 

R68-9-4. Prescribed Treatment for Articles.

A. As provided in Section 4-17-3, the Commissioner has determined that the following treatments shall be considered minimum to prevent dissemination of noxious weed seeds or such parts of noxious weed plants that could cause new growth by contaminated articles:

1. Machinery and Equipment.

a. It shall be unlawful for any person, company or corporation to

(1) bring any harvesting or threshing machinery, portable feed grinders, portable seed cleaners or other farm vehicles or machinery into the state without first cleaning such equipment free from all noxious weed seed and plant parts; or

(2) move any harvesting or threshing machinery, portable feed grinders or portable seed cleaners from any farm infested with any noxious weed without first cleaning such equipment free from all noxious weed seed and plant parts.

(a) Immediately after completing the threshing of grain or seed which is contaminated with noxious weeds, such machine is to be cleaned by:

(1) removing all loose material from the top and side of the machine by sweeping with a blower

(2) opening the lower end of elevator, return and measuring device and removing infested material from shakers, sieves, and other places of lodgement;

(3) running the machine empty for not less than five minutes, alternately increasing and retarding the speed; and

(4) following the manufacturer's detailed suggestions for cleaning the machine.

2. Farm Trucks and Common Carriers.

It shall be unlawful for any person, company or corporation to transport seed, screenings or feed of any kind containing noxious weed seed over or along any highway in this State or on any railroad operating in this State unless the same is carried or transported in such vehicles or containers which will prevent the leaking or scattering thereof. All common carriers shall thoroughly clean and destroy any noxious weed seeds or plant parts in cars, trucks, vehicles or other receptacles used by them after each load shall have been delivered to consignee before again placing such car, truck, vehicle or receptacle into service.

3. Seed.

a. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to sell, offer or expose for sale or distribute in Utah any agricultural, vegetable, flower or tree and shrub seeds for seeding purposes which contain any seeds of those weeds declared noxious by the Commissioner of Agriculture and Food.

b. It shall be the duty of the State Agricultural Inspector to remove from sale any lots of seeds offered for sale which are found to contain noxious weed seeds. Such seed may be recleaned under the supervision of the inspector and, if found to be free from noxious weed seeds, the same may be released for sale or distribution; otherwise, such seed shall be returned to point of origin, shipped to another state where such weed shall be returned to point of origin, shipped to another state where such weed seed is not noxious, or destroyed or processed in such a manner as to destroy viability of the weed seeds.

4. Screenings Sold for Livestock Feed.

a. All screenings or by-products of cleaning grains or other seeds containing noxious weed seeds, when used in commercial feed or sold as such to the ultimate consumer, shall be ground fine enough or otherwise treated to destroy such weed seeds so that the finished product contains not more than six whole noxious weed seeds per pound.

b. All mills and plants cleaning or processing any grains or other seeds shall be required to grind or otherwise treat all screenings containing noxious weed seeds so as to destroy such weed seeds to the extent that the above stated tolerance is not exceeded before allowing the same to be removed from the mill or plant. Such screenings may be moved to another plant for grinding and treatment; provided that: each container or shipment is labeled with the words "screenings for processing - not for seeding or feeding" and with the name and address of the consignor and the consignee.

5. Livestock Feed Material.

a. It shall be unlawful for any person, company or corporation to sell or offer for sale, barter or give away to the ultimate consumer any livestock feed material, including whole grains, which contain more than six whole noxious weed seeds per pound. Whole feed grain which exceeds this tolerance of noxious weed seeds may be sold to commercial processors or commercial feed mixers where the manner of processing will reduce the number of whole noxious weed seed to no more than six per pound.

6. Hay, Straw or Other Material of Similar Nature.

a. It shall be unlawful for any person, company or corporation to sell or offer for sale, barter or give away any hay, straw, or other material of similar nature, which is contaminated with mature noxious weed seeds or such parts of noxious weed plants which could cause new growth, or to alter, change or falsify in anyway information contained on a phytosanitary certificate.

7. Manure.

a. Manure produced from grain, hay, or other forage infested with noxious weeds shall not be applied or dumped elsewhere than upon the premises of the owner thereof.

8. Soil, Sod and Nursery Stock.

a. No soil, sod or nursery stock which contains or is contaminated with noxious weed seeds, or such parts of the plant that could cause new growth, shall be removed from the premises upon which it is located until cleaned of such weed seed or plant parts, except that such contaminated soil may be used for restrictive non-planting purposes upon permission and under direction of the county weed supervisor or a representative of the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food.

9. Noxious Weeds Distributed or Sold for Any Purpose.

a. It shall be unlawful for any person, company or corporation to sell, barter or give away any noxious weed plants or seeds for any purpose.

10. Livestock.

a. No livestock to which grain, hay, or other forage containing noxious weed seeds has been fed shall be permitted to range or graze upon fields other than those upon which they have been so fed for a period of 72 hours following such feeding. During such period, they shall be fed materials which are not contaminated with noxious weed seeds.

 

R68-9-5. Reports From Counties.

A. The Board of County Commissioners of each county, with the aid of their county Weed Board and their County Weed Supervisor, shall submit an "Annual Progress Report of County Noxious Weed Control Program" to the Commissioner of Agriculture and Food by January 15 of each year, covering the activities of the previous calendar year. A prescribed form for this report shall be supplied by the Commissioner.

 

R68-9-6. Notices.

A. General and individual notices pertaining to the control and prevention of noxious and invasive weeds shall be substantially of the types prescribed herein; namely, General Notice to Control Noxious Weeds, Individual Notice to Control Noxious Weeds, and Notification of Noxious Weed Lien Assessment.

1. General Notice To Control Noxious Weeds.

A general public notice shall be posted by the County Weed Board in at least three public places within the county and be published in one or more newspapers of general circulation throughout the county, on or before May 1 of each year and at any other times the County Weed Board determines. Such public notice shall state that it is the duty of every property owner to control and prevent the spread of noxious weeds on any land in his possession, or under his control, and shall serve as a warning that if he fails to comply with this notice, enforced weed control measures may be imposed at the direction of county authorities. Such general notice shall also include a list of weeds declared noxious for the State of Utah and for said county, if any.

2. Individual Notice to Control Noxious Weeds.

Following publication of a general notice, if a County Weed Board determines that definite weed control measures are required to control noxious weeds on a particular property, the Board shall cause an individual notice to be served upon the owner or the person in possession of said property, giving specific instructions concerning when and how the noxious weeds are to be controlled within a specified period of time. The individual notice shall also inform the property owner or operator of legal action which may be taken against him if he fails to comply with said notice.

3. Notification of Noxious Weed Lien Assessment.

If it is deemed advisable, the Board of County Commissioners may cause noxious weeds to be controlled on a particular property and any expenses incurred by the county shall be paid by the owner of record or the person in possession of the property. A notice shall be provided such person, showing an itemized cost statement of the labor and materials necessarily used in the work of said control measures. This notice shall also state that the expense constitutes a lien against the property and shall be added to the general taxes unless payment is made to the County Treasurer within 90 days.

 

KEY: noxious weeds, weed classifications, weed control

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: [July 2, 2008]2016

Notice of Continuation: June 6, 2013

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 4-2-2; 4-17-3

 

---