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WEED CONTROL
Noxious weeds have declared war on the native plants in Park County. Noxious weeds do not just affect farm and ranch property, they affect everyone living in this county and those that are just here for a vacation. Everyone needs to do their part to control noxious weeds. Noxious weeds are not just an agricultural problem. Private Landowners and government land agencies spend millions of dollars each year attempting to curb the spread of noxious weeds. Vehicles on these lands are not the only source of weed seed. These seeds can be spread by hikers, mountain bikers and vehicles. If you recreate on these lands, you can be part of the solution, or part of the problem.
Noxious weeds can find a great home on small acreage lots. They find the opportunity to invade from no use or from overuse. Grasses respond positively to grazing. If the lot is not grazed or mowed, the plants become decadent and weeds can move in to the area. If grass is overused, plants perish from too much grazing or trampling and weeds move in. Small acreage landowners need to understand how grass grows and keep the native plants healthy. Grazing can be accomplished in small acreages, if done correctly.
Noxious weeds can have a severe impact on fisheries. For instance, spotted knapweed dominance on bunch grass rangeland is detrimental to water and soil resources. John Lacey, MSU Extension Service, determined that surface water runoff and stream sediment were 56% and 192% higher, respectively, for two spotted knapweed-dominated sites compared to native bunch grass dominated sites. In addition, water infiltration rates were less on spotted knapweed sites than on bunch grass sites. If you have ever floated the Yellowstone River, you probably noticed knapweed infestations along the banks. Knapweed inhibits native plant growth that waterfowl and other riparian species use for cover and nesting. Without quality ground cover, waterfowl seek other locations for raising their young.
Knapweed affects Park County's big game population. Spotted knapweed greatly reduces forage. In order for Park County to maintain the elk and deer populations these animals require a quality forage base in the foothills for fall and winter grazing. MSU researchers found that spotted knapweed infestations decreased blue bunch wheat grass yield 88%. Elk use, as estimated by pellet groups/acre, was reduced by 98% on spotted knapweed-dominated range compared to bunch grass dominated sites. A wildlife preserve near Missoula is being left ungrazed by the elk. They prefer to graze on nearby, privately owned, weed free meadows.
Noxious weeds affect you! Tax dollars are spent in an attempt to keep the invasion limited to trail heads, boat ramps, and other high traffic areas. These tax dollars are spent to prevent the spread of the weeds onto private land and into the backcountry. Many fishing accesses have high infestations of noxious weeds. The seeds are dragged into the water and deposited along the riverbank to create another infestation downstream. These streamside infestations affect soil erosion, waterfowl habitat and the scenery that we all enjoy.
Be part of the solution, not part of the problem.
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