Title: New USA rules on animal feed, straw to combat invasive weeds in Idaho take effect Aug. 20


[The Republic 23 July 2011] BOISE, Idaho — New rules to battle invasive plants blamed for choking out native species in Idaho will take effect next month, federal land managers say. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management officials proposed the rules last year, saying the spread of invasive weeds reaches more than 2,300 acres of federal lands each day — a rate that doubles when it comes to public lands in western states like Idaho. The BLM published the new Idaho rules Thursday, saying they will take effect Aug. 20 and require animal feed and straw used as part of restoration efforts on public lands in Idaho to be certified as weed-free. The rules affect grazing permit holders, outfitters and restoration contractors.

"This measure is needed to help slow the alarming spread of noxious and invasive weeds on public lands," said Idaho BLM Director Steve Ellis in statement.

The Idaho State Department of Agriculture certifies feed as weed-free after farmers have inspections to verify that hay fields are free of the 57 plants identified as noxious weeds under state law. Federal land managers in states such as Colorado, Nevada and Montana have already enforced similar rules for the past five years.

"These weeds create all sorts of problems, from reducing grazing capacity to damaging wildlife habitat and altering fire regimes," Ellis said.

Concerns from the public prompted federal land managers to draft rules for Idaho, according to the BLM. The agency sent surveys to grazing permit holders to garner feedback on the proposed rules and made changes based on those comments, such as allowing the transport of hay from one private field to another across public land.

The agency plans to start enforcing the requirements to combat the invasive weeds in September, about a month after they take effort, to allow time for public outreach and education on the new rules.

Those who violate the rules and use non-certified hay, straw or mulch on public lands in Idaho could face up to a year in prison and a $1,000 fine.

From http://www.therepublic.com, see original source.



Article: WeedsNews1912 (permalink)
Categories: :WeedsNews:biosecurity, :WeedsNews:compliance, :WeedsNews:fodder, :WeedsNews:prevention, :WeedsNews:seed dispersal, :WeedsNews:trade
Date: 24 July 2011; 7:26:24 PM AEST

Author Name: David Low
Author ID: adminDavid