Participate in the Process

Proposed changes to the 2017 noxious weed list

The Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board (WSNWCB) will hold a public hearing on Nov. 1 in Wenatchee to take comments on proposed rule-making changes to the 2017 state noxious weed list. The Board is considering:

• The reclassification of the Class A noxious weed Ravenna grass (Saccharum ravennae) to a Class B noxious weed, to be designated for control in eastern Washington, except for Benton, Chelan, Grant, and Yakima counties. Those four county weed boards would have the option of requiring selective control of Ravenna grass at the local level, such as targeting escaped plants only. In western Washington, control would only be required in Cowlitz County, where a few escaped plants were recently found.
• The designation of the two Class B noxious weeds Meadow hawkweed subgenus (such as mouseear and yellow hawkweeds Hieracium pilosella and H. caespitosum) and meadow knapweed (Centaurea moncktonii)in Pierce County, and the un-designation of myrtle spurge (Euphorbia myrsinites). These changes would mean that Pierce County landowners would be required to control hawkweeds in the Meadow subgenus as well as meadow knapweed, which are limited in distribution in this County. The control of myrtle spurge would no longer be required in Pierce County. 
• The WSNWCB public hearing is on Tuesday, November 1 from 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Confluence Technology Center, 285 Technology Center Way; Wenatchee, WA 98801.
  • Mail written testimony to: WSNWCB; P.O. Box 42560; Olympia, WA 98504-2560. 
  • Send comments by email to noxiousweeds@agr.wa.gov. 
  • Attend the public hearing to provide written or verbal testimony in person.
• VIew our CR-101, CR-102, and OTS language.
• For more information about these proposed changes to the 2017 noxious weed list or on how to participate, click on our press release.

The Annual Process to Amend the Washington State Noxious Weed List

Every year, the Washington State Noxious Weed Board adopts a new Noxious Weed List (WAC 16-750).

Weed species may be added or removed, the Class (A, B, or C) can be changed, or the required control area of a Class B Designate may be changed. The Noxious Weed Committee meets several times a year to review and discuss proposed changes, and they present their recommendations at the November Board meeting so that the Board can make a well-informed decision.

Anyone in Washington state can request that a plant species be added or removed from the Noxious Weed List.

1. You can download the document explaining how to participate in the listing process here.
2. The request must be submitted between January 1st and April 30th for consideration. Requests can be mailed or emailed to State Noxious Weed Board.

To submit a request, you should provide the following information:

• The common and scientific name of the plant species, if known
• The specific change request (addition, removal, class or designation change)
• The reason why you are requesting the change
• Whether there have been any attempts to control the plant
• Any plant samples, pictures, and any literature about the plant are useful
• It is also helpful if you provide any background information, for example, its distribution in Washington (where, when, and how much), and any biology or ecology about the plant