BLM-(MT), Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota Noxious Weed Control

Background: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and several counties in Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota have long standing relationships to control noxious weeds on public lands. These cooperative working relationships have resulted in more efficient management and control of noxious weeds and invasive species that destroy wildlife habitat, reduce livestock forage, degrade riparian zones and watersheds, displace native plant and animal species, including threatened, endangered, and sensitive species, create fire hazards in forests and rangelands, poison and injure livestock and humans, degrade recreation sites from use, and increase soil erosion.Objectives: To control, reduce the spread of, and prevent the further invasion and establishment of noxious weeds using the most economical, appropriate and effective weed control methods available. These agreements provide the basis for the BLM, with the overall authority to carry out weed management actions on public lands, adjacent cooperators lands, and private and State lands within multiple counties in the three state area to work together in order to eradicate and manage undesirable plant species.Public Benefit: The recipients and BLM will work together with private and non-federal landowners to prevent, contain and control the spread of noxious weeds. Because these plants move rapidly from one owner's land to another, joint efforts to eradicate, contain or control noxious weeds will reduce adverse impacts on public and private lands. As the recipients treat weeds on private lands in an area, the ability to reimburse the recipients for weed control efforts on adjacent public lands makes for more efficient and effective control of noxious weeds in an area. Additionally, the recipients will assist the BLM with weed education and bio-control efforts.