What Departments of Transportation (DOTS) are Doing About Weeds

Wyoming:
In 1985, the former Wyoming Highway Department (WHD) initiated a MOU with the State Agriculture Department and County Weed and Pest Districts to control weeds in public rights-of-way. This cooperative effort continues today. Their FY-2001 Progress Report shows that 95% of all State and federal centerlane miles were inspected for noxious weeds in 2000. Control resulted in the spraying of 4,600 rights-of-way acres. The Wyoming DOT has been using an ecological strategy since 1991, using native, competitive plants for revegetation. Since 1986, WYDOT has also called for certified mulches on construction projects. This proactive approach has saved significant State dollars. For more information, call John Samson at WYDOT (307)777-4416.

Minnesota:
Beginning in 1986, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources began its exotic species program with the help of the State Legislature and the newly designated noxious weed, purple loosestrife. The Minnesota DOT was involved from the beginning as part of an interagency task force that ranked known invasive species to determine prioritization of resources. They used the Ron Hiebert ranking system successfully and influenced land management across the State. The DOT has continued to be involved and in 1995 launched their first school partnership in beetle rearing for roadside use. The first release was an educational and public awareness success story. The smiles on the faces of the children as they shook out the bags of beetles on the purple loosestrife plants told it all. For more information, contact: Bob Jacobson at 651-284-3767.

New Hampshire:
Beginning in 1993, the New Hampshire DOT constructed a nine-acre mitigation wetland. By 1997 loosestrife was the dominant species, making the site an ideal field test for biological control. Working with the Department of Agriculture (NHDA), the DOT monitored the beetle release between 1997 and 1999. By 1000, all loosestrife within and adjacent to the site was either dead or extremely stressed and dying. None of the remaining live plants appeared to develop flowers and therefore seed. Self-sustaining populations of beetles still were found among the remaining loosestrife plants. Indigenous vegetation, likely from seed in the existing soil bank, filled the void and restored diversity. After the pilot test results, NHDOT and NHDA have released beetles at 12 additional sites. For more information contact: Douglas Cygan, NHDOT 603-271-6781 or email dcygan@dot.state.nh.us

Michigan:
In 1994, the MDNR received approval to release beetles on several infested state game areas. The Michigan State University's lab produces 150,000 beetles per year. The lab has trained local groups around the State to rear the beetles, release and monitor their affect. This partnership approach with action at the local level, might be the best answer to an invasive plant that is widespread. A reduction in density by 80% is expected in 10-20 years. (Conservation Notes, 1998)

Vermont:
In 1999, the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources contacted the Vermont Agency of Transportation. They shared a copy of mapped purple loosetrife populations, noted along roads. In their discussion of releasing biocontrol beetles on Vermont's roadsides, they agreed with the DOT's idea of testing three approaches: 1. release beetles without mowing or spraying; 2. mow right after flowering begins for easy identification yet not be mature enough to disperse seed; and 3. spray. Refer to page 9 for biocontrol information. For more information: contact Craig Dusablon at 802-828-2787.

New Mexico:
In 2001,motivated by existing weed law, the State's own Executive Order on noxious weeds along with the Presidential Executive Order 13112, New Mexico wrote and 33 groups signed, a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The July 18, 2001 MOU simply draws together all levels of land managers to participate and support Coordinated Weed Management Areas (CWMAs) in New Mexico. What are CWMAs? The State is divided into weed management areas. All signatories of the agreement will participate in the CWMAs to: inventory, manage, prevent, and eradicate whenever possible, plants designated as noxious pursuant to the New Mexico Noxious Weed Management Act of 1978. Additionally, the SWMA will work to increase general awareness about noxious weed issues. The 33 partners will use the New Mexico Strategic Plan for Managing Noxious Weeds, as a basis for coordination. The signatories, in this Statewide effort, include: federal agencies (with the New Mexico FHWA Division), military lands, many Tribal Councils, and State agencies including the New Mexico Highway and Transportation Department (NMHTD). Together New Mexico land agencies have defined a model MOU approach. They build on the experience of many others, like Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and the Dakotas who lose millions of dollars annually to noxious weeds. Already the NMHTD has begun developing and implementing Noxious Weed Management Plans for individual projects.

Colorado:
The Colorado Department of Transportation is in the process of inventorying all of its rights-of-way to identify presence of noxious weed species. Appropriate eradication efforts will follow. Currently the FHWA Division office reviews the presence of threatened and endangered species as well as the presence of noxious weeds, as a part of the impacts analysis. Project approvals rely on the use of plants to revegetate disturbed areas, usually native plant species, and measures are required to prevent the development of infestations of noxious weeds.

States Join Weed Councils:
Call them councils, associations, task forces, whatever. Many partnerships are developing across the nation. The Jackson Hole Weed Management Association is just one of them. Their goal is "to prevent, control, and eventually stabilize the ecosystem from further spread of noxious weed invasion." Their association includes federal agencies, conservation groups, State and County agencies, the Teton Science School, and the Wyoming Department of Transportation. Learn if your State has such an organization and show your support.