Mr. David Price wrote recently to complain about Scotch broom on Cattle Point Road and elsewhere on San Juan Island, and to suggest that the County Noxious Weed Control Board (NWCB) fails to carry out its mandated job. Perhaps I can offer some clarification.

Scotch broom is one of the 148 species listed as noxious weeds by the State of Washington. Sixty-six of these are known to be present in San Juan County.  Because of budgetary limitations, the NWCB necessarily must prioritize the weed control efforts of its personnel. This staff consists of two knowledgeable and dedicated members employed at 3/4 time.  They work throughout the county in excess of their paid time.  In addition, they help the County Public Works Department, who is responsible for weed control along public rights-of-way.

At the top of the list for control are the so-called “Class A” weeds, those for which the state has legislatively mandated eradication.  There have been eleven of these species in the county; eight have now been eradicated, and the remaining three have been reduced to a level of probable eradication in the near future.

Our next priority is noxious weeds known to be toxic to humans or livestock. Among others, this group includes poison hemlock, spurge laurel, and tansy ragwort, and they are widespread throughout the county. Control efforts depend on the education of all landowners, public and private, and particularly on the observations and reports they make to the NWCB staff.

Scotch broom is a weed widely spread throughout San Juan County, and indeed in all of western Washington, Oregon and British Columbia. Each plant sets an enormous number of seeds annually, and these remain viable in the soil for many decades.  Owing to the magnitude of the broom infestation and the necessary priorities of their efforts, the NWCB staff is able to attack broom only in small increments.

They greatly appreciate informative telephone calls (376-3499) from the public; such information sets in motion an evaluation of the site and a recommendation of appropriate treatment options.  They would certainly have appreciated hearing from Mr. Price in this fashion.

William Agosta

Chair of the Noxious Weed Control Board