Weed Department

Phone: 541-523-0618
Mail your inquiries to
Baker County Weed District
1995 3rd Street
Baker City, OR 97814

Baker County Weed District Mission Statement

The goal of this program is to implement County and State noxious weed ordinances. We will accomplish this by achieving the most effective Vegetation Management Program for the preservation of Baker County's valuable property by utilizing Education, Mechanical control, Biological control, Cultural control, and Chemical control for the betterment of Baker County and its neighbors. The effectiveness of this program is due to the authority and cooperation of the Baker County Citizens, Baker County Commissioners, and the Baker County Weed Board.

What is Baker County Weed District?

Baker County Weed District is a County organized and functioning department under the leadership of the Baker County Commission. The function of the District is to work with land owners, land stewards, land managers, and other interested parties in the reduction of the impact that invasive weeds have upon the landscape.

Oregon State Legislation, through the Oregon State Weed Board and Oregon Department of Agriculture, regulates these special "Weeds" or plants that are out-of-place that cause particular issues. These legislative weeds that fall under regulator are known as NOXIOUS WEEDS.

All Noxious Weeds are Invasive, but not All Invasive Weeds are Noxious

Both the Oregon Department of Agriculture and each set of County Commissioners can list plants as NOXIOUS, thus regulatory.

Once listed as Noxious, then the State or County has the ability to mandate the control of the plant with the intent to eradicate the plant from the site or sites.

Why should the State and County be able to FORCE a land owner to control their plants on their personal property?

What you do to your property is your business, but when those activities - Weeds - spread to adjacent lands and effecting their way of life, livestock, waterways, etc, then someone needs to intervene.

99% of the time when a land owner is contacted by the County Weed Office they are more than willing to do something. What if the Land owner does not respond to the offer of help from the County Weed Office?

What if the Land owner does not respond to the offer of help from the County Weed Office?

The County Weed District must notify the landowner of their violation of the Weed Law. This is either done with Baker County Sheriff Deputy serving the notice or by a Certified Letter. Normally the landowner will receive a Certified Letter of Non-Compliance. The landowner then has 10 days to remediate the issue.

If the landowner fails to remediate the issue, Baker County Weed will post the site in three conspicuous places stating that the site is in non-compliance.

After 10 days, Baker County Weed District can trespass, treat the weeds in any mean necessary - even if it affects the crop or site.

Once this is performed, the costs of the said activities will be billed.


Rules and Regulations

For many years there has been a push for laws supporting weed control. One of the first enactment of this kind of legislation was in 1975 as the Federal Noxious Weed Act (FIFRA) through many changes in the legislature we now have the Plant Protection Act of 2000 (which suspended FIFRA). Each of these acts enabled the government to take a stand against noxious weeds to protect public health, livestock, and the lands of the United States.

Weeds are determined as NOXIOUS by the Secretary of Agriculture, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and/or a designated person from each state. This individual will declare a weed NOXIOUS by its potential harm to people, crop production, livestock, and property.

In Oregon we have a State Noxious Weed Law which governs (via legislation) the enforcement and control efforts as well as outlining obligations of each District in Oregon.

Oregon Noxious weeds are plant species that have been designated "noxious" by law. Oregon law lies under Chapter 569 175 995.

Noxious Weeds are listed as:

Under the Oregon Department of Agriculture "Noxious Weed Policy and Classification System"

"Oregon Noxious Weed Policy and Classification (2019)" 'A', 'B,' and 'T,' listed weeds for the state of Oregon. The State Noxious Weed List is used to prioritize activities at the state level and provide direction in the development of county weed lists that guide local control programs. This list is part of a Noxious Weed Policy and Classification System and is jointly maintained by the Oregon State Weed Board and the Noxious Weed Control Program. Oregon Noxious Weed Policy and Classification

https://www.oregon.gov/oda/programs/weeds/oregonnoxiousweeds/pages/aboutoregonweeds.aspx

Listed "A" Weeds
Listed "B" Weeds
Listed "T" Weeds


Under the Oregon Noxious Weed Laws Weed Districts are established. These Weed Districts, normally county wide but not always, can established area Weed Districts such as:
Upper Burnt River Weed District - Hereford and Unity Area
Lower Burnt River Weed District - Durkee and Huntington Areas


Both of which are sub-districts within the Baker County Weed District.

For information on the State Noxious Weed Law click Oregon State Weed Law

Gussie Cook
gcook@bakercountyor.gov
Baker County Weed District
1995 3rd Street
Baker City, OR 97814
Phone: (541) 523-0618
Fax: (541) 524-7666

Weed Department

Weed of the Week

Click Weed of the Week for the highlighted weed.

Weed Department

Outreach and Education

Click Outreach and Education for continuing education on weeds.

Weed Department

The Board of Directors

Baker County Weed District is assisted by the generous time donation of Board of Directors. These Directors serve at the pleasure of the County Commissioners and are instrumental at helping the Weed District be successful.

The Directors help with notifying the County Weed Supervisor of weed issues in their respective areas. Each member represents a geographic area and does so by notifying the County Weed Supervisor of new, or troublesome weeds and their location. They are also very useful in helping the County Weed Supervisor know of who owns or manages a particular tract of land as well as notifies those landowners what Baker County Weed District can do to help coordinate landowner issues and strategically work with adjacent landowners.

Name	Phone#	Email	Position	Representing
Craig Ward	541-519-4642	cward.wr@gmail.com	Chairman	Baker Valley/Pocahontas Area
Bruce Hummel	541-519-1580	bruce@thiefvalleyranch.com	Vice-Chairman	North Baker County Area
John Wirth	541-853-2326	None		Medical Springs Area
Kent Justus	541-518-7626	bjean23@live.com	Chair Emeritus	Keating Valley Area
Kathy Thompson	541-519-2716	dk32ranch@fmtcblue.com		Durkee Valley/ Huntington Area
Dave Clemens	541-540-6769	clemens@eagletelephone.com		East Baker County Area
Cookie Long	541-403-1100	cynthialanding2322@msn.com		Baker City/Western Heights HOA Area
Shella DelCurto	541-519-5563	mightyadashin@yahoo.com		Pine Valley/Halfway
Christina Witham	541-523-8200	cwitham@bakercountyor.gov	County Commissioner	Baker County Commission
Gussie Cook	541-519-0204	gcook@bakercounty.org	Executive Director/Secretary	Baker County Weed District
Wade Simpson	541-403-1064	wsimpsonangus@gmail.com		Bowen Valley/Sumpter Area
Mardy Harriman	541-742-6641	martyharriman8@gmail.com		Pine Valley/Halfway Area
Jon Wollard		jon.woolard90@gmail.com		N.Baker County Area

Gussie Cook
gcook@bakercounty.org
Baker County Weed District
1995 3rd Street
Baker City, OR 97814
Phone: (541) 523-0618
Fax: (541) 524-7666

Weed Department

Baker County Weed District Services

The goal of this program is to implement County and State noxious weed ordinances. We will accomplish this by achieving the most effective Vegetation Management Program for the preservation of Baker County's valuable property by utilizing Education, Mechanical control, Biological control, Cultural control, and Chemical control for the betterment of Baker County and its neighbors. The effectiveness of this program is due to the authority and cooperation of the Baker County Citizens, Baker County Commissioners, and the Baker County Weed Board.

Our Department exists in order to assist ALL land owners, land stewards, and other concerned citizens with the removal of invasive plants from their harmful effects to people, animals, and the natural resources.

Weed Identification

Knowing the enemy is the only way to combat the enemy. Guessing on what the plant is normally causes ineffective weed control. Knowing if the plant is an annual, biennial or perennial make the greatest difference in building a weed management program.


Weed/Plant identification can be done in three different ways:

1. We can come to your location to identify the plant.
a. If we don't know what the plant is we can send it off for identification. This is also a great opportunity to establish a weed management plan as well as incorporating changes in grazing or watering schedules as these can greatly affect the invasiveness of weeds.

2. Text or email us pictures of weeds.
a. It's best to have all the parts of the plant, if possible. This would include roots, leaves, stems, and flowers.

3. Bring the plant into our office. (It's best to call ahead to ensure we are in the office)
a. For best preservation of the plant, dig the plant up, wrap it in wet newspaper or wet paper towels and place into a plastic bag as to keep the plant moist. This should be done the day of or the day before bringing in the plant.

Weed Management by implementation of an Integrated Weed Management Program.

Our office prides itself in knowledge of the best tools to control the identified weed. Our hope is that land stewards find new weeds on their property before they become out of hand. Generally, by the time Baker County Weed arrives at the property to help, the weed is already out of control.

Although there are many tools to control weeds, as seen below, the use of herbicides is the greatest method to reduce the impact of the weeds in the quickest way. Once the right herbicide is determined and utilized we can then discuss techniques in land management (Grazing, watering, fertilizer, etc) to attempt to keep the weed from re-invading or having a new invader enter into the property.

Sprayer Calibration, set up, and usage.

Weed spraying equipment come in many fashions and forms. Knowing how to spray, how much pesticide should go in the tank, and how to care for the sprayer is key upon getting the weeds off of your property.

One of the most common, incorrect questions we get is "How much of that Product do I put into my tank"? of which we cannot answer without knowing what area can you treat with your sprayer. Everyone sprays at a different rate and how wet they get the plant.

Calibration is knowing the exact area that a full tank will treat. There are many different methods of how to calibrate your sprayer.

Known volume of liquid (or dry) over a Known area of a site (square feet or acre). Most product labels will tell you how much product to apply per acre. - Milestone is generally sprayed at 7.0 oz per acre, or 7.0oz/ac.

Click here for a worksheet for back pack or handgun.

Click here for a worksheet for boom or boomless sprayer

Click here for a list of contract applicators.



Gussie Cook
gcook@bakercounty.org
Baker County Weed District
1995 3rd Street
Baker City, OR 97814
Phone: (541) 523-0618
Fax: (541) 524-7666

Weed Department

Weed Levy Programs

Baker County Weed Levy Programs

Due to funding cuts for the 2024-25 fiscal year, Baker County Weed District will not be able to continue the Give-A-Away and Cost Share programs. Please note that all Give-A-Away dates have been canceled for the remainder of the 2024 season. If you have questions, please reach out to us! Check out our Facebook page “Baker County Invasive Weed Department” for further updates on our programs.

Lower Burnt River Weed District

The Lower Burnt River Weed District is a group of concerned landowners in the Huntington, Durkee, and Lower Burnt River drainage that pull together to work with each other to combat invasive weeds. They also have herbicides available for land owners on a cost share basis.

Contact Kathy Thompson, Secretary/Treasurer at 541-877-2219 or DK32Ranch@fmtcblue.com

Upper Burnt River Weed District

The Upper Burnt River Weed District is a group of landowners in the Bridgeport, Hereford, and Unity areas that pull together to work with each other to combat invasive weeds. They apply for cost share grants and use the funds to assist the local land owners with herbicide acquisition.

Contact Jennette Hardy, Secretary/Treasurer at 971-246-3336 or jhardy8699@hotmail.com



Gussie Cook
gcook@bakercounty.org
Baker County Weed District
1995 3rd Street
Baker City, OR 97814
Phone: (541) 523-0618
Fax: (541) 524-7666

Weed Department

Integrated Pest Management

Integrated pest management is the best method of weed control. Many parties believe that this is NOT using pesticides, in fact, it means using all aspects of weed control to manage noxious weeds, including using herbicides.

Cultural or Preventative

This is the first line of defense when controlling weeds. Prevention is when you maintain the property in good health, thus keeping the invader from getting started.

The single largest key to this is minimizing any soil disturbance.

1. Manage driving techniques on the site by;
    1. Prevent ruts
    2. Don't Tear up the ground - Tread Lightly
    3. Dig only when necessary
2. Revegetate sites when necessary. Here are some basic guidelines when reseeding a site.
    1. HOW TO REVEGETATE A SITE
3. Don't Over or Under graze:
    1. In our area there is a simple rule-of-thumb, Take half / Leave Half.
    2. Consider a football field (1 acre) or three basketball courts:
        1. Will sustain 1 horse, or two cows, or three sheep
4. Water accordingly:
    1. When flood irrigating stop water flow from ditch prior to water getting to end of field.
        1. Certain noxious weeds at end of field such as Curley dock, Foxtail barley, Broadleaf and Norrowleaf plantains, Willows - indicate over watering
    2. Sprinkle irrigation is much more efficient than flood irrigation
    3. Communicate with neighbors
5. Fertilize to maintain health:
    1. Many local Agriculture Dealers have large spreaders that can be pulled with tractors or some have ones that can be pulled by vehicle.
    2. N - P - K
        1. N - Nitrogen, promotes above ground growth - Apply in spring and mid summer
        2. P - Phosphate, Promotes healthy roots and plant Vigor - Apply in Fall and New seeding
        3. K - Potassium, Promotes stronger roots and root strength - Apply in Fall and New Seeding
    3. Manure is great for adding organics into the soil as long as it is broken down over time.
        1. Many new herbicides are not processed by the livestock, thus when applied to pastures, go in as herbicide and come out of the animal as herbicide. If you collect the manure and compost it, the herbicide may still be in the manure, thus damage to sensitive crops can occur.

Mechanical

This is your first line of defense.

Remember - a weed is a Plant out of Place - if you didn't plant it and you don't recognize it - dig it up by the root and bring it to our office for identification.

Methods of Mechanical Control:

1. Pull the weed out of the ground, trying to get as much of the root as possible
1. always use gloves to ensure that the plant does not cause harm if it is poisonous (Poison hemlock will cause a bad rash on your hands)
2. Dig up the weed with a shovel.
1. Push the shovel into ground on 4 sides of the weed, then slide shovel under plant to cut off root
2. Pull the weed out of the ground by hand, thus minimizing DISTURBANCE
3. Plowing or Disking
1. Make sure you have a revegetation plan prior to disturbing a large tract of land


Biological Control of Noxious Weeds

Biological control is a portion of the integrated pest management program where either an animal (goats, sheep, livestock) or a specific insect is utilized to reduce the impact the weed is having on the environment.

Classical Biological Control is where non-native pests (generally insects) are brought into the country from the a native country and is used to feed on the weed, thus reducing the overall impact of the weed.

When non-native insects are utilized, they have gone through extensive studies, some up to 10 years, to ensure (under APHIS) that this new non-native (exotic) does not become a new invasive species itself. University of Idaho has one of the leading biological control researchers in the United States, Professor Mark Schwartzlander. Under his leadership Idaho is looking for numerous new insects as well as rearing many necessary insects so that they can be collected and shipped throughout Idaho.

One particular location that has been established in Idaho, thus the Pacific Northwest, is the Nez Perce BioControl Center located at Nez Perce Tribal lands in Lapwai, Idaho. With their help collecting and distributing the needed insects, weed impacts have been reduced greatly.

The Bureau of Land Management is heavily invested in promoting the use of insects to combat invasive weeds. Joey Milan, and entomologist with the BLM is a key source of information and training to weed manager across the great state of Idaho.

In Oregon, the Oregon Department of Agriculture has Joel Price, an Entomologist that is helping us establish insects and other biocontrol tools to combat the invasive weeds.

BioControl should never be attempted without bringing in the County Weed Superintendent. This is why!

1. There is a science to ensuring the right insect is released to the right weed, in the right location, at the right time. Furthermore, all non-native insects must be registered by APHIS and it is illegal to ship in non-approved biocontrol.
2. The county will generally visit your desired site to ensure it is capable of hosting the insects. Most weed patches need to be over 1/2 an acre in size with a 50% canopy cover to allow the insects to adapt to their new location.
3. The inspection of the site, the collection or obtaining the insects, and the dispersal of the insect onto the newly determined site is generally done by the county at no cost to the landowner.

Other Informational links

North American Invasive Species Management Association
https://www.naisma.org/


USDA Poison Plant Lab
https://www.playcleango.org/help-stop-invasive-species-with-playcleango


Play Clean Go
https://www.playcleango.org/help-stop-invasive-species-with-playcleango

EDDmaps To report new sightings of weeds.
https://www.eddmaps.org/

Nez Perce Tribe Biocontrol Center
http://www.nezpercebiocontrol.com/

Bugwood/Forestry Images
https://www.forestryimages.org/

TriCounty CWMA
http://tricountycwma.org/contact.html



Gussie Cook
gcook@bakercounty.org
Baker County Weed District
1995 3rd Street
Baker City, OR 97814
Phone: (541) 523-0618
Fax: (541) 524-7666

Weed Department

2020-2021 Baker County Noxious Weeds

"EDRR", "A"or "B" Designated Weeds
All Listed Weeds are Eligible for Cost-Share

"Early Detection/Rapid Response (EDRR)"- Not Present in Baker County or Very Few Known Sites: Controlled at the expense of the Baker County Weed District which includes inventorying, treating, monitoring, and other follow-up activities.

"A" Designated Weeds
Mandatory Control County-wide and eligible for 50% Cost-Share Herbicide Refund. A weed of known economic importance which occurs in the state/county in small enough infestations to make eradication or containment possible; or is not known to occur, but its presence in neighboring counties make future occurring in Baker County eminent.

Recommended action: Infestations are subject to eradication or intensive control when and where found.

"B" Designated Weeds
Widespread and of Concern. Eligible for 50% Cost-Share Herbicide Refund. A weed of economic importance which is regionally abundant, but which may have limited distribution is some areas.

Recommended action: Limited to control at the county or regional level as determined on a site specific, case-by-case basis. Where implementation of a fully integrated county-wide management plan is not feasible, biological insect control (when available) shall be the primary control method.

"T" denoted weeds are those of which are highest priority for Oregon Department of Ag and Baker County.

For a Full list of Baker County Noxious Weeds Click here

Gussie Cook
gcook@bakercounty.org
Baker County Weed District
1995 3rd Street
Baker City, OR 97814
Phone: (541) 523-0618
Fax: (541) 524-7666

Weed Department

Noxious Weed Policy

How it Works
A more stringent compliance approach is needed to address out-of-control weeds that currently plague Baker County. In 2002, Baker County moved into a new different phase of noxious weed management. This new phase requires landowners and managers within the county to follow state laws regarding noxious weed control.

If you are currently working on your noxious weed problem, then you have nothing to worry about. Baker County Weed District is targeting a very small segment of the population; those who "choose to do nothing" about their noxious weeds.

If folks choose to be non-compliant, the County Weed Supervisor reserves the right to treat the target weed. They will then be required to reimburse the county for all expenses incurred. If expenses are not paid, liens may be filed on the property for non-payment. In this process we will closely following Oregon noxious weed law, with a well defined and laid out process required before enforcement action is taken.

Only Baker County's "A" listed weeds will be given mandatory control status. These weeds have been chosen because they represent the highest economic and/or environmental risk to Baker County. They are:

Baker County Weed District-Noxious Weed List

50% cost-share dollars will still be offered to assist land managers in controlling "A" listed weeds. However, once enforcement procedures have been taken against the land manager(s), cost-share assistance can no longer be offered.

The Baker County Weed Department recognizes that a multi-year management strategy is necessary to control these noxious weeds. Economic constraints, reseeding failures, inconsistent chemical response and countless other challenges are part of the science of weed control. However, proper planning combined with a commitment to follow through on a strategy can achieve the results we all seek.

Compliance with the Baker County Policy can be achieved by submitting a Weed Management Plan. The two components required by a Weed Management Plan are:
1. A 5 year Planning Timeline and Map(s);
2. A commitment to follow through on the submitted plan.
The Baker County Weed Supervisor must approve individual Weed Management Plans. Plans will be evaluated by how well the plan reduces seed set on the target weed.

Remember, it is our policy to give the land manager every opportunity to come into compliance with state law before carrying out enforcement procedures. The county would like to emphasize the Weed Department's willingness to work with all participants to achieve countywide weed control success. If you are a landowner that is making an effort to control your weeds, do not be intimidated by this policy.
Contact our office (541-523-0618) if you have any questions. Formal action by the County can be avoided by simple cooperation. Be a good neighbor and take care of your weed problems.

Gussie Cook
gcook@bakercounty.org
Baker County Weed District
1995 3rd Street
Baker City, OR 97814
Phone: (541) 523-0618
Fax: (541) 524-7666

Weed Department

Loaner Spray Equipment

Baker County is pleased to announce that they now have spray equipment to loan to landowners. This the larger, 200 gallon sprayers were purchased from Lottery Funds on behalf of the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board. They are pre-calibrated and can be slid into the back of your truck, or pulled behind your vehicle on the provided trailer. You need to make sure you have a functioning power-port in your vehicle. Each 200 gallon fully loaded sprayer will treat about 6 acres.

The Sprayer that can be placed into your UTV holds 100 gallons and will treat about 8 acres per load.

All sprayers have a retractable hand sprayer to reach those more difficult spaces.

Contact us to reserve yours as soon as possible.

Our fee's to loan them are:

200 gallon slide-in sprayers - $40.00 per day

UTV Sprayer - $30.00

Loaner Spray Equipment Flyers and Forms

Gussie Cook
gcook@bakercountyor.gov
Baker County Weed District
1995 3rd Street
Baker City, OR 97814
Phone: (541) 523-0618
Fax: (541) 524-7666

Weed Department

Related Links

North American Invasive Species Management Association

USDA Poison Plant Lab

Play Clean Go

EDDmaps - To report new sightings of weeds.

Nez Perce Tribe Biocontrol Center

Bugwood/Forestry Images

TriCounty CWMA



Gussie Cook
gcook@bakercountyor.gov
Baker County Weed District
1995 3rd Street
Baker City, OR 97814
Phone: (541) 523-0618
Fax: (541) 524-7666