1. FAQ's

    What are noxious weeds? "Noxious weed" is the traditional, legal term for invasive, non-native plants that are highly destructive, competitive, and difficult to control or eliminate. Noxious weeds can include non-native grasses, flowering plants, shrubs, and even trees. Noxious weeds can also include aquatic plants. Many noxious weeds started out as ornamental plants that eventually escaped the garden setting, while others were accidentally introduced through human travel and trade. Regardless of how they got to Washington State, all noxious weeds pose a serious threat to our economy, agriculture, local ecosystems, and wildlife habitats. Some noxious weeds are toxic to humans …


    Weed Control - April 12, 2016, 1:22 p.m.

  2. Projects

    Eradication: Class A Noxious Weeds Class A noxious weeds are Lewis County Noxious Weed Control's highest priority for early detection and rapid eradication. Generally, these noxious weeds are either entirely absent in Washington State or are only present in a very limited distribution. As such, and as required by law, the management goal for these weed species is total eradication in all plant parts. Garlic mustard, Giant hogweed, False brome and Milk thistle are all examples of Class A noxious weeds that have become more common in the state in recent years and could conceivably arrive in Lewis County from …


    Weed Control - March 20, 2015, 1:11 p.m.

  3. The State Noxious Weed Law

    The term "noxious" is a legal term, rather than botanical or technical. It is used to describe non-native plants that have been introduced to Washington from other parts of the world and have a damaging impact on the local industries that rely on having a healthy ecosystem and plant community, such as agriculture, etc. Because of their aggressive growth and lack of natural enemies in the state, these species can be highly destructive, competitive, or difficult to control. Noxious weeds can reduce crop yields, destroy native plant and animal habitats, severely limit recreational opportunities, clog waterways, lower land values, create …


    Weed Control - Jan. 10, 2012, 3:02 p.m.

  4. Class Bs of Concern

    The Class Bs featured here are either already found in Lewis County or have been confirmed in neighboring counties and are likely to be introduced. Weeds are often spread unintentionally through the movement of materials, such as hay, dirt, gravel, and woodchips. They are also brought in by pets, animals, floods, ATVs and other vehicles, and watercraft. Finally, many are brought in intentionally as ornamentals by those who are unfamiliar with the noxiousness of that particular species. It is very important to recognize noxious weeds so that you can have a better understanding of your risk of transporting seeds or …


    Weed Control - March 5, 2015, 1:44 p.m.

  5. Aquatic & Riparian Noxious Weeds

    Aquatic weeds can be emerged, submerged or floating. An emerging plant is rooted underwater and has a structure emerging beyond the surface of the water (often on a stem, for flowers to be pollinated). A submerged aquatic plant exists entirely (or almost entirely) under the surface of the water (it may grow to touch the surface or produce near-surface flowers, such as Brazilian Elodea), and a floating plant will have roots in the underwater sediment but be attached to a leaf "floating" on the surface of the water.Riparian weeds grow along the banks of a waterway extending along the edge …


    Weed Control - Sept. 12, 2022, 11:27 a.m.

  6. Class Cs of Note

    Class C noxious weeds are often very common and widespread or are of special interest to the agricultural industry. They are not required for control unless selected for at the county level. The Lewis County Weed board has selected 5 species off of the C list for control under specific circumstances, as outlined in the appendix and presented below.The Class C's that are selected for or commonly found in Lewis County include: Blackberry Buffalobur Bull Thistle Canada Thistle Common Catsear Curlyleaf Pondweed English Ivy & Old Man's Beard Field Bindweed Italian Arum Oxeye Daisy Reed Canarygrass Tree of Heaven Wild …


    Weed Control - Oct. 5, 2022, 10:43 a.m.

  7. Class A Priorities

    Class A noxious weeds are LCNWCB's highest priority for early detection and rapid eradication. The legal requirement for Class A weed control is total eradication of all plant parts. These weeds are either absent in Lewis county or are here with very limited distribution. The only class A species that is currently known to be present in Lewis County is a single infestation of Milk Thistle, which was found in a common dumping area of Centralia. Historically, there have been records of Giant Hogweed in Lewis County, but these, to the best of our knowledge, have been eradicated.The Class A's …


    Weed Control - Sept. 29, 2022, 10:42 a.m.

  8. About Us

    The Lewis County Noxious Weed Control Board recognizes that managing noxious weeds requires a community wide effort, and everyone living in the county benefits from all of us putting in our fair share of the work. The Washington State noxious weed law, RCW 17.10, mandates that it is each landowners' responsibility to control or eradicate noxious weeds on their property and to prevent infestations from spreading to adjacent properties. To assist landowners in this effort, the Noxious Weed Control Board develops programs that reflect local priorities, meet the needs of county landowners and carries out the mandates of the law. …


    Weed Control - Jan. 11, 2012, 8:32 a.m.

  9. Flowering Rush

    Butomus umbellatus Flowering Rush - An emergent invasive with a very limited distribution in Washington state that can sometimes stay submerged. Can grow up to 5 feet tall.Leaves: - Thin upward growing leaves that often twist when above the surface of the water and reach 3+ feet in length (when plant is emerged and much longer when it is submerged). Leaves have a triangular cross section.Flowers: - Blooms June - September with umbrella shaped clusters of 20-50 flowers that have 3 sepals and three white to deep purple petals.Habitat: - Can appear in a variety of habitats and is often …


    Weed Control - Sept. 12, 2022, 1:31 p.m.

  10. Policeman's Helmet

    Impatiens glandulifera Policeman's Helmet - An herbaceous annual that is smooth and hairless. It can range from 3 - 10 feet tall.Leaves: Usually 3 leaves per node and are usually alternate, opposite, or whorled. Leaf shape is oblong to ovate to elliptic. About 6 inches long and sharply toothed margins.Flowers: Flowers bloom from July to September. Irregular flowers that are shaped similar to a British policeman's helmet. Color ranges from white to many shades of pink. Flowers have 5 petals (2 fused), 3 sepals (2 fused), and 5 stamens.Habitat: Partially shade tolerant. Found in lowland, riparian habitats such as moist …


    Weed Control - Sept. 29, 2022, 9:48 a.m.