Controlling Weeds on Private Lands
What is expected of land owners and managers?
Each owner and each person responsible for managing lands shall eradicate all Class A noxious weeds and control all Class B noxious weeds, as defined below. Noxious weeds from Iowa Code 317 present in Story County shall be controlled or eradicated as is necessary throughout the growing season. Producers with sensitive crops or anyone with roadside spraying concerns should contact the Story County Weed Commissioner's Office (515-382-7355).
Any landowner with property under CRP contract with the USDA is encouraged to consult with their local office and must abide by contract requirements.
The Story County IRVM program is responsible for upholding the Iowa Weed Law (Chapter 317, code of Iowa). The Iowa weed law gives the following definitions for noxious weeds:
“Class A noxious weed for eradication” means a noxious weed determined by the department to be the highest priority for eradication of existing infestations and prevention of new infestations.
“Class B noxious weed for control” means a noxious weed determined by the department to be a priority for preventing new infestations and stopping the spread of the species.
Failure to comply in any order of control of weeds, the commissioner, the deputies, or agents may, subsequent to the time after service of the notice provided for in Section 317.6, enter upon the land and control the weeds or impose a maximum penalty of $10 per day, up to ten days, that the owner or person responsible for managing the land fails to comply. If a penalty is imposed and the owner or personal responsible for managing the land fails to comply, the commissioner shall cause the weeds to be controlled.
If the commissioner must control the weeds, the actual cost and expense of cutting, burning, or otherwise controlling the weeds, along the with cost of serving notice and special meetings or proceedings, shall be paid by the county and together with the additional assessment to apply toward costs of supervision and administration, be recovered by an assessment against the tract of real estate on which the weeds were growing as provided in Section 317.21. Any fine imposed shall be recovered by a similar assessment.
Story County IRVM shall control noxious weed infestations and other problem vegetation in county road rights-of-way which may threaten public health, cause economic loss, or affect safe travel. Costs to control noxious weed problems associated with physical changes in the right-of-way, (i.e. over spray, excess tillage, untimely mowing) may be assessed to those responsible for such acts per Story County ordinance 107.VI.1. Soil erosion by wind and water promotes annual and perennial weed growth on agricultural land and in road rights-of-way. Landowners and operators are encouraged to be good land stewards and utilize erosion control methods such as conservation tillage, cover crops, field borders, buffer strips, and grassed waterways.
Click here for a full copy of the current Iowa Weed Law.
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