This is a portion of a report concluding the demonstration project for noxious weed control initiated in 1999 by the Lander County Conservation District (LCCD). Its purpose was to demonstrate the effectiveness of various herbicides on different noxious weed species in Lander County. The hope was that it would stimulate interest in weed abatement by landowners and public land administrators and eventually lead to active noxious weed control in Lander County. In addition to the noxious weed demonstration, several experimental applications were done along Lander County roads to test the practicality of chemical treatment of annual and perennial weeds as an alternative to periodic blading of road shoulders and ditches for weed control. While sponsored and carried out by LCCD, this project was funded by donations from several entities. Lander County, the N-6 Grazing Board, Bureau of Land Management, and LCCD contributed money to fund this project.

     The project consisted of spot treatment of small, isolated weed patches utilizing chemicals and application rates recommended by experienced weed control professionals and in conformance with environmental regulations and with concern for on site wildlife species and their habitat. Nine sites were selected which offered a variety of noxious weed species at easily accessible locations. Up to two follow-up treatments were done, each in succeeding years, if required to fully demonstrate the herbicide's effectiveness on the target species.

     A comprehensive evaluation was done in the fall of 1999. The "2nd Interim Report" prepared by LCCD reported that initial evaluation. Subsequent evaluations were done at some of the locations in 2000, 2001, and 2002. All evaluations have been qualitative, based on the professional opinion(s) of agency personnel who have visited the site or on common-sense conclusions by members of the LCCD Board and/or Lander County Road & Bridge staff.

Copies of the "2nd Interim Report" and the "Lander County Weed Control Demonstration Project Final Report" are available at the LCCD office or by calling (775) 635-5565.