The MWCA Executive Committee, Amy Adler and Jasmine Chaffee have been working hard with the EQC Legislative Interim Committee to address changes in the county weed act through draft legislation. Key points of changes include:
The addition of gravel and other materials for the possibility of embargos within county weed districts;
That counties SHALL appoint a weed coordinator;
Removing language that allows for a weed board to supervise a coordinator rather than the commissioners or HR departments;
Including the addition of an optional fine to the noncompliance process;
Increasing the 25% fee in noncompliance to 50% of total cost incurred;
That counties SHALL provide sufficient funding for the weed department;
Significant changes to weed management and revegetation plans to improve the process of utility companies and others who may majorly disturb the ground (not referring to farmers and ranchers who graze livestock);
Removal of the land-banking language and;
Clarifying language to funds in the Montana Noxious Weed Trust Fund.
For complete language changes in the draft legislation, please visit here.
The EQC committee met on July 14 in Helena and staffer Jason Mohr presented the draft legislation. There were not many comments to this legislation other than some concerns about due process & timelines. This legislation will be voted on by the committee in September.
The MWCA group is working to learn about and pursue funding sources to appeal for in the upcoming legislative session.
