Noxious weeds becoming serious problem in county
Andrew Christiansen
Reporter
One weed, jointed goatgrass, costs wheat farmers $45 million per year in lost production and control costs. The impact of weeds is mind-boggling, and it is the goal of the Weed Watchers program to help reduce the impact of noxious weeds and other invasive species.
The first of three Weed Watchers classes was held in Dallesport on July 17. The program was arranged by Dr. Susan Kerr of the Washington State University Extension in Goldendale. Instructors Dr. Steve Van Vleet, WSU Extension educator from Whitman County, and Marty Hudson, weed control director for Klickitat County, conducted the class. Fifteen students were presented an introduction to the program and a review of Washington's noxious weed list.
The list includes 39 class A weeds. Class A weeds are those that are non-native species with limited distribution. Eradication of class A weeds is required by law. There are another 70 listed as class B weeds, where control is required where they are not yet wide-spread. Some class B weeds are already abundant in areas and each county decides where to control or just try to contain those weeds. Skeletonweed is an example of a class B weed that is designated for control in most of Klickitat County, but containment is the approach around Dallesport, where it is abundant. Class C refers to weeds that are widespread or of special interest to the state's agricultural industry. Counties decide how to deal with those weeds. Jointed goatgrass is a class C weed. It is so prevalent that education is the approach used to help farmers exclude the weed from the field. Clean seed and clean equipment are the primary approaches to preventing infestation. Since wind, water and wildlife also spread seed, vigilance is a non-stop requirement.
Other than crop injury, weeds can also cause great damage to natural resources and degrade property value and recreational use of property. Many noxious weeds were deliberately introduced, sometimes by early settlers who were aware of forage properties of plants back in the old country, and some are escaped ornamentals. In fact many can still be found in certain nurseries. When these plants are turned loose in a foreign environment, they often flourish without their old country insects and diseases that normally keep them in balance. Butterfly bush is a popular landscape plant, but it crowds out other plants in the wild, reducing plant diversity along riparian areas. Some weeds have allelopathic effects where chemical deposits are toxic to other plants. Others are more direct in their competition, such as saltcedar which has become the scourge of the southwest. The weed has been found in the three counties that border Klickitat County. A saltcedar plant is capable of pumping 200 gallons of water from the soil per day, drying up waterways and depositing salt in the soil, making it uninhabitable by most other plants.
There will two more Weed Watcher classes which will include field trips to help with identification and teach the method of documentation and reporting noxious weeds. Reporting will include geo-referenced location, digital photos and samples delivered to Hudson at the Weed District. The 15 new Weed Watchers are expected to add eyes in the field, helping spot weeds before they become a million dollar problem.
Anyone can assist in the fight against invasive weeds. Preventing weeds from getting started begins with knowing the plants you grow and being alert to plants that look like they could be aggressive in taking over landscapes. Check the state noxious weed control board web site at www.nwcb.wa.gov, or contact Hudson at 773-5810.
Mounted Shooters ride into town
There will be gun fire at the Fairgrounds this weekend as the mounted shooters return to Goldendale for the Golden Summer Rendezvous, July 24-26. Stage one, eliminator, rifle and shotgun will begin at 4:30 p.m., on Friday. Saturday starts with a grand entry at 8 a.m. followed by stages one, two and three.
The showcase with top five cowboys and cowgirls in each division starts at 6 p.m. A concert and cowboy style dinner follows the showcase. Sunday stages four-six starts at 8:30 a.m. Three day family pass is $10. Single day fee is $6 and 12 and under is free.
Klickitat Canyon Days this weekend
Canyon Days kicks off in Klickitat at 6:30 p.m., July 24, with a carnival in the school gym. It is one of the featured family events in this year's Klickitat Canyon Days.
Following the carnival will be a family movie outside on the school blacktop. Saturday is a day for the co-ed softball tournament, a parade at 11 a.m. and children's arts and crafts outside the Baptist Church.
There will be music and food in Depot Park, beginning at noon. Sunday has a co-ed volleyball tournament in the gym and the famous Ducky Derby sets adrift around noon. |
