BEFORE THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

OF THE STATE OF MONTANA

 

In the matter of the amendment of ARM 4.5.206, 4.5.207, 4.5.208, and 4.5.209 pertaining to modification of the Noxious Weed Priority 1A category statement and changing the priority category of dyer's woad, flowering rush, Eurasian watermilfoil, and curlyleaf pondweed

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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED AMENDMENT

 

TO: All Concerned Persons

 

            1. On December 9, 2013, at 1:00 p.m., the Department of Agriculture will hold a public hearing in Room 225 of the Scott Hart Building, at Helena, Montana, to consider the proposed amendment of the above-stated rules.

 

2. The Department of Agriculture will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who wish to participate in this rulemaking process or need an alternative accessible format of this notice. If you require an accommodation, contact Department of Agriculture no later than 5:00 p.m. on November 29, 2013, to advise us of the nature of the accommodation that you need. Please contact Cort Jensen, Department of Agriculture, 302 N Roberts, Helena, Montana, 59601; telephone (406) 444-3144; fax (406) 444-5409; or e-mail [email protected].

 

3. The rules as proposed to be amended provide as follows, new matter underlined, deleted matter interlined:

 

            4.5.206 PRIORITY 1A (1) These weeds are not present or have a very limited presence in Montana. Management criteria will require eradication if detected, education, and prevention:

            (a) Yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis)., and

            (b)  Dyer's woad (Isatis tinctoria).

 

AUTH: 7-22-2101, 80-7-802, MCA

IMP: 7-22-2101, MCA

 

REASON:  The previous Priority 1A statement was determined to be inadequate to address invasive plants in Montana. Dyer's woad category is changed from Priority 1B to Priority 1A because there are fewer than 1000 identified plants in Montana.

 

Economic Impact: There is no economic impact associated with modifying the description of priority 1A weeds. The economic impact of dyer's woad being listed as a Priority 1A noxious weed will be county-specific and will depend on whether the weed is present in a county and the extent of infestation.

 

4.5.207 PRIORITY 1B (1) These weeds have limited presence in Montana. Management criteria will require eradication or containment and education:

(a) Dyer's woad (Isatis tinctoria);

(b) Flowering rush (Butomus umbellatus);

(c) (a) Japanese knotweed Knotweed complex (Polygonum cuspidatum, P. sachalinense, P. × bohemicum, Fallopia japonica, F. sachalinensis, F. × bohemica, Reynoutria japonica, R. sachalinensis, and R.× bohemica spp.);

(d) (b)  Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria spp.);

(e) (c)  Rush skeletonweed (Chondrilla juncea); and

(f)  Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum);

(g) (d)  Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius);.

(h) Curlyleaf pondweed (Potamageton crispus).

 

AUTH: 7-22-2101, 80-7-802, MCA

IMP: 7-22-2101, MCA

 

REASON: There are fewer than 1000 dyer's woad plants in Montana and should be listed as a Priority 1A noxious weed. The department has received requests to change the listing of aquatic noxious weeds from a Priority 1B to Priority 2B. In addition, there have been several scientific name changes that needed to be updated.

 

Economic Impact: Changing the priority category for aquatic weeds and changing or adding scientific names does not have an economic impact. The change will allow local weed districts to prioritize aquatic weeds based on aquatic weed presence, county noxious weed priorities, and on funding and resource availability.

 

4.5.208 PRIORITY 2A (1) These weeds are common in isolated areas of Montana. Management criteria will require eradication or containment where less abundant. Management shall be prioritized by local weed districts:

(a) Tansy ragwort (Senecio jacobaea, Jacobaea vulgaris);

(b) Meadow hawkweed complex (Hieracium caespitosum, H. praealtum, H. floridundum, and Pilosella caespitosa spp.);

(c) Orange hawkweed (Hieracium aurantiacum, Pilosella aurantiaca);

(d) Tall buttercup (Ranunculus acris);

(e) Perennial pepperweed (Lepidium latifolium);

(f) Yellowflag iris (Iris pseudacorus);

(g) Blueweed (Echium vulgare); and

(h) Hoary alyssum (Berteroa incana).

 

AUTH: 7-22-2101, 80-7-802, MCA

IMP: 7-22-2101, MCA

 

REASON: There have been several scientific name changes that needed to be updated. There is no economic impact associated with the proposed change.

 

4.5.209 PRIORITY 2B (1) These weeds are abundant in Montana and widespread in many counties. Management criteria will require eradication or containment where less abundant. Management shall be prioritized by local weed districts:

(a) Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense);

(b) Field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis);

(c) Leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula);

(d) Whitetop (Cardaria draba, Lepidium draba);

(e) Russian knapweed (Centaurea Acroptilon repens, Rhaponticum repens);

(f) Spotted knapweed (Centauria Centaurea stoebe, or C. maculosa);

(g) Diffuse knapweed (Centaurea diffusa);

(h) Dalmatian toadflax (Linaria dalmatica);

(i) St. Johnswort (Hypericum perforatum);

(j) Sulfur cinquefoil (Potentilla recta);

(k) Common tansy (Tanacetum vulgare);

(l) Oxeye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare);

(m) Houndstongue (Cynoglossum officinale);

(n) Yellow toadflax (Linaria vulgaris);

(o) Saltcedar (Tamarix spp.).;

(p)  Flowering rush (Butomus umbellatus);

(q)  Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum); and

(r)  Curlyleaf pondweed (Potamogeton crispus).

 

AUTH: 7-22-2101, 80-7-802, MCA

IMP: 7-22-2101, MCA

 

REASON: The department has had discussions with county weed districts, who have indicated a preference to change the listing of aquatic noxious weeds from a 1B to a 2B Priority during the transition of aquatic invasive plants from the Department of Agriculture to Fish, Wildlife and Parks. The rule also updates the scientific name for Russian knapweed and whitetop and the spelling of the scientific name for spotted knapweed.

 

Economic Impact: Changing the priority category for aquatic weeds does not have an economic impact. The change will allow local weed districts to prioritize aquatic weeds based on aquatic weed presence, county noxious weed priorities, and on funding and resource availability.

 

          4. Concerned persons may submit their data, views, or arguments either orally or in writing at the hearing. Written data, views, or arguments may also be submitted to: Cort Jensen, Department of Agriculture, 302 N Roberts, Helena, Montana, 59601; telephone (406) 444-3144; fax (406) 444-5409; or e-mail [email protected], and must be received no later than 5:00 p.m., December 12, 2013.

 

5. Cort Jensen, Department of Agriculture, has been designated to preside over and conduct this hearing.

 

6. The department maintains a list of interested persons who wish to receive notices of rulemaking actions proposed by this agency.  Persons who wish to have their name added to the list shall make a written request that includes the name, e-mail, and mailing address of the person to receive notices and specifies for which program the person wishes to receive notices. Notices will be sent by e-mail unless a mailing preference is noted in the request. Such written request may be mailed or delivered to the contact person in 4 above or may be made by completing a request form at any rules hearing held by the department.

 

7. An electronic copy of this proposal notice is available through the Secretary of State's web site at http://sos.mt.gov/ARM/Register.  The Secretary of State strives to make the electronic copy of the notice conform to the official version of the notice, as printed in the Montana Administrative Register, but advises all concerned persons that in the event of a discrepancy between the official printed text of the notice and the electronic version of the notice, only the official printed text will be considered.  In addition, although the Secretary of State works to keep its web site accessible at all times, concerned persons should be aware that the web site may be unavailable during some periods, due to system maintenance or technical problems.

 

8. The bill sponsor contact requirements of 2-4-302, MCA, do not apply.

 

9. With regard to the requirements of 2-4-111, MCA, the department has determined that the amendment of the above-referenced rules will not significantly and directly impact small businesses.

 

 

/s/ Cort Jensen                                             /s/ Ron de Yong                              

Cort Jensen                                                  Ron de Yong

Rule Reviewer                                               Director

                                                                    Department of Agriculture

           

Certified to the Secretary of State November 4, 2013.