Noxious Weed Program

The annual list of plants designated as Noxious Weeds can be found on the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s website. A major role of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is to ensure uniformity in enforcement among the counties by providing a substantial amount of support services annually.

Minnesota’s Noxious Weed Law (1895) was enacted to prevent the spread and proliferation of undesirable plants to minimize & protect the state’s residents from their adverse effects.  Adverse effects include: illness in both humans and livestock; crop loss due to competition; environmental degradation of plant species; and, aesthetics.  County Agricultural Inspectors (CAI’s) and County Designated Employees (CDE’s) carry out all laws and rules dealing with noxious weeds. 

Beltrami County annually publishes a Noxious Weed Notice that states all persons must control or eradicate all noxious weeds on occupied lands or those required to be maintained.   

Weeds can cause major problems for agricultural producers, land managers, and private landowners.  For example, leafy spurge can reduce the quality of forage for livestock operations and can be extremely toxic if ingested.  Property owners & managers must control or eradicate noxious weeds by any lawful method to prevent the spread of viable noxious weed seeds and propagating parts.  Local Weed Inspectors seek voluntary compliance by all landowners to control or eradicate noxious weeds.  Enforcement is only taken when the landowner or occupier refuses to cooperate with the local weed inspector to control or eradicate noxious weeds.  To find out who is your local weed inspector contact your township or your municipal government office.

Since 2013 the Beltrami County Environmental Services Department (ESD) has hosted a training session each spring for local weed inspectors of local municipalities and townships.  The following are reference materials and archived presentations that may be useful to you as a local weed inspector.

• Local Weed Inspection Duties (Summary)
• Local Weed Inspector's Guide For Enforcement Of The Minnesota Noxious Weed Law
• Minnesota Noxious Weeds publication from the Minnesota Department of Transportation
• Weed Enforcement forms

New Invasive Species Training Videos Available

The DNR Invasive Species Operational Order Committee is pleased to announce that the four-part training video “Cleaning to Avoid Spreading Terrestrial Invasive Species” is now available.  This 30-minute video provides training in preventing the spread of invasive species on land during the course of your work.

Topics covered include:

1. DNR policy requiring preventing the spread of invasive species
2. Cleaning tools
3. Safety when cleaning
4. Cleaning vehicles, personal equipment, all-terrain vehicles, and heavy equipment

This training was designed for DNR staff, but is publicly available on You Tube and may be helpful for Local Weed Inspectors, staff in other organizations, or for contractors.