Title
RESOLUTION APPROVING THE COMMERCE CITY NOXIOUS WEED MANAGEMENT PLAN
Body
Summary and Background Information:
On January 12, 2015, and March 23, 2015 staff outlined a variety of issues related to common weeds and noxious weeds. At those study sessions, Council provided direction to staff on many of these issues, and the purpose of the agenda items on May 18 is to execute to specific items that Council directed staff to implement.
Noxious Weeds
The State mandates that local jurisdictions have their own local plan for how to control and contain noxious weeds. This state mandate also requires that local plans include certain aspects of noxious weeds maintenance. Staff looked at approved plans from the Adams county and nearby jurisdictions for guidance. As result of this research, the draft plan has been composed and is attached for review and approval by resolution.
The purpose of this City of Commerce City Noxious Weed Management Plan is to provide guidelines for effectively managing priority noxious weeds, which constitute a present threat to the natural resources of lands in the City of Commerce City. This plan implements the mandates of the Colorado Noxious Weed Act by setting forth management objectives and plans, methods, or practices which utilize a variety of techniques for the integrated management of certain noxious weeds. In establishing a coordinated program for the integrated management of noxious weeds, it is the City's intent to encourage and require all appropriate and available management options, including education, preventive measures, good stewardship, and control techniques, while promoting those options that are the most environmentally benign, yet practical, timely, and economically feasible.
The City is authorized to enter into intergovernmental agreements with Adams County, other incorporated municipalities, and state and federal boards, departments, entities, political subdivisions, districts, and agencies, in order to cooperatively control and manage noxious weeds under Colorado Noxious Weed Act. The City may also enter into nonbinding memoranda of understanding or undertake other appropriate cooperative efforts with these governmental entities or agencies.
Approval of this plan will result in the City being compliant with State Law in this particular area.
The outline of the draft plan is as follows:
• Introduction, Purpose, Authority, Scope, and Definitions
- Sets out legal framework for document
• Noxious Weed Overview (State and Local level)
- Describes state classification of noxious weeds
- Includes common noxious weeds at local level
• Objectives and Goals
- Overall principles relating to noxious weeds
- Establishes goals of plan, based on short (1-5 years) and mid-term (5-10 years)
• Plan of Work and Implementation
- Includes opportunities for education, partnerships, mapping, and prevention
• Enforcement
- Process will be similar to existing enforcement
Staff Responsible (Department Head): Chris Cramer, Community Development Director
Staff Member Presenting: Chris Cramer
Financial Impact: $N/A
Funding Source: N/A
Staff Recommendation: Approval
Suggested Motion: I move to approve Resolution 2015-30