County rejects noxious weed designation for cheatgrass

By: 
Barbara Anne Greene

Big Horn County Weed and Pest Supervisor Cliff Winters came to the Oct. 15 commissioner meeting to discuss cheatgrass. Winters said there is a strong push from some Weed & Pest districts to add cheatgrass on the state designated list. “The difference between the state designated list and the county declared list is that it is in state statute if it is on the designated list ‘the county shall’ have an effective program for controlling rural species. Where if it is on the county’s declared list it is ‘may’” 

He said this could be for education, spraying and cost shares and that when the verbiage is changed to “shall,” it changes the dynamics. He provided the following costs of what the change would mean, saying “All of Big Horn County is going to be at least $220 million.”  

WYDOT wanted to know the cost to treat its rights-of-way because if it is put on the designated list, it must treat them. Currently WYDOT pays the county $15,000 for treatment of the rights-of-way. The new cost would be over $2.5 million annually. 

Commissioner Deb Craft, who recently attended a Wyoming County Commissioners Association meeting, said it wasn’t explained very well at that meeting. Winters said there is a push to put it through without understanding what the real cost will be. He also discussed how the change would impact reclamation for the mining industry. Gravel pits of the county and WYDOT would also be impacted as they must be certified weed-free. 

Winters said this would impact certified straw and hay, too. “There cannot be any cheatgrass if this passes along fence lines, ditch banks, stock yards,” he said. “There is no one that is going to pass that.” 

One of the things being said in favor of the change is that there is a lot of money out there right now and if it gets listed that money can be used. Winters said there would not be enough money. “The governor asked originally for I think $20 million.  Eight million was approved and the funds went to Wyoming Wildlife Resource Trust Fund. Big Horn County could take that whole $8 million.”  The money would be designated through grants. He said he believes applications have gone in for $22 million. To do just county roads, the county would need over $2.6 million. 

Winters said Park and Big Horn counties have countywide quarantines. “So, if you have state-designated weeds on your property, those crops cannot leave the farm of origin without being inspected.” This applies to any forage crops and grains. Craft said it would be devastating to the ag producers. For the county to treat the private land, the cost would be over $4 million to the landowners. Winters broke it down saying it would roughly be $290 for the labor and $75 for herbicide — roughly $365 per acre. 

The Weed and Pest Council has a fall meeting the last week of October. All 23 counties get one vote. If it is passed, it goes to the Department of Ag which would have to approve it. 

The commissioners sent a letter noting their disagreement with the designation. The letter stated “Big Horn County Commissioners agrees that cheatgrass invasion disrupts native communities by altering fire regimes, intensifying fires and outcompeting native plants. It spreads from disturbed areas to undisturbed regions, reducing grazing capacity and posing land reclamation and revegetation challenges. This invasive species negatively impacts sagebrush rangelands, affecting wildlife migration patterns and core habitats. The health and vigor of the sagebrush community are compromised, leading to widespread consequences. The invasion affects all landowners and public land users, emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive management strategies. We want to ensure you thoroughly consider the implications of this designation to Big Horn County. 

“Adding cheatgrass to the designated list will significantly affect the Big Horn County Weed and Pest District budget and programs due to the vast infestation of cheatgrass in Big Horn County.. Listed below are the costs of treating cheatgrass in Big Horn County and the value of 1 mill for 2024.” 

The letter noted that the cost to Big Horn County would be $280,282,822.14. The value of the Big Horn County Weed & Pest mill is $276,788.05. 

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