The region will address invasive species (IS) issues by focusing efforts and resources on seven key
points which are:

1. Identify and staff key IS positions to implement an aggressive and effective IS program.
   Positions include, but are not limited to:
   • R4 IS Coordinator
   • R4 Regional IS Issues Team (RISIT)
   • Forest IS contact
   • Forest IS team
   • Ranger District IS contact
2. Develop and implement: 1) R4 IS Strategy, 2) Forest IS Risk Assessments, 3) Forest IS
   Management Plans, and 4) District IS Action Plans
   1. Focus management on “Priority Landscapes” and associated “Eco-region” subunits by
      protecting un-infested areas from invasive species. Emphasize prevention and early
      detection and rapid response (EDRR) with appropriate eradication tools on new
      infestations, with repeat site visits annually.
   2. Identify and manage key vector routes, such as roads, trails, and recreation sites;
      livestock and wildlife migration routes; water courses; and disturbance activities and
      areas.
   3. Apply increased bio-control management on large or inaccessible IS populations.
      Identify and support critical research and development. Develop collectible biocontrol
      agent populations and apply these resources across the region where
      appropriate conditions exist and effective agents have been identified. Acres treated
      with bio-control should double over the next 5 years.
   4. Emphasize pesticides on new invaders, vector management, satellite populations, and
      established population perimeters. Minimize IS impacts on high value areas currently

   un-infested.

3. Promote Region-wide use of weed-free materials, including but not limited to hay, straw,
   mulch and gravel, or borrow materials. Actively apply Best Management Practices (BMPs)
   and include them in permit and contract clauses. Manage priority vectors to prevent further
   spread of IS while encouraging public education, awareness, and cooperation.
   5
4. Initiate short-term “rehabilitation” considering desirable native and/or non-native seedings
   where sites are unstable. Where sites are stable but at risk and immediate establishment of
   native species can be expected, then promote long-term “restoration” of natural ecosystem
   components emphasizing native seedings.
5. As a regional emphasis, maintain National Recreation Areas free from aquatic IS. Efforts will
   focus on education, prevention, and early detection and rapid response.
6. Actively support partnership activities and new opportunities to expand effective landscape
   scale IS management. Emphasize efforts with federal agencies, states, counties, Tribes, nongovernment
   organizations (NGO’s), and Cooperative Weed Management Areas (CWMA’s).
7. Apply current business rules consistently across the Region. Emphasize consistent approach
   to pesticide accomplishments and reporting. Focus on high priority prevention, early
   detection and rapid response (EDRR), bio-control, and identify supportive business rules or
   direction to ensure competitive comparison of these tools with traditional pesticide
   accomplishments.

View Full Federal Management Plan

• It highlighted state-listed noxious weeds
• Land manager responsibilities
• priority weeds for management across the state

In addition, it supported new [1985] county requirements in the County Noxious Weed Control Act specifying weed management plans at the county level.

State land management agencies were required to enter into a cooperative agreement with each county weed board where they control lands in legislation enacted in 1995 [HB 395]. State agencies controlling lands include: Department of Transportation, Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, Department of Corrections, Department of Public Health and Human Services, and the Montana University system.

State land management agency integrated weed management agreements with counties must include:

1. a 6-year integrated noxious weed management plan, which must be updated biennially;
2. a noxious weed management goals statement;
3. a specific plan of operations for the biennium, including a budget to implement the plan; and
4. provision to submit a biennial report to the Montana Department of Agriculture Weed Coordinator regarding the success of the plan.

Federal land management agencies have been working on the development of weed management plans with counties and state entities since the late 1980’s. Most federal agencies have some type of weed management strategy in place at this time.

In 1998, many land managers involved in the weed effort felt it was time to revitalize the state weed management effort. A Montana Weed Summit was held in October, 1998, with the support of the Governor’s Office. The Summit was well attended and participants emphasized the need to update the state weed management plan for the new century. A steering committee and task force working groups were formed to complete this goal in a timely manner.

A draft weed management plan was submitted to participants at the second Montana Weed Summit, held in October, 2000. Participants made comments and suggestions to the plan and a final Montana Weed Management Plan was printed and distributed statewide in January, 2001.

In 2004 the plan was up dated, 29 of the 46 action items listed in the state plan had been completed. The plan was reprinted and distributed in January 2005.

The strengthens of the current Montana Weed Management Plan are:

1. it gives a clear overview of where each land management entity currently is in their weed management program;
2. it outlines a plan of action and shows where programs could be improved;
3. it gives specific budget figures of current budgets of all entities and indicates required budgets if we are to decrease weed populations, even slightly, within the state;
4. it lists specific action items to help improve weed management programs in Montana and lists leaders for implementation and a proposed timeframe for implementation.

There is one major limitation within the current Montana Weed Management Plan:

• adequate funding continues to be a serious problem for all weed managers in the state and may impact future implementation of the Plan.

The Plan is designed to be reviewed regularly and improved as new information becomes available.

2008 Montana Weed Mangement Plan (.pdf)