The Ottawa County Noxious Weed Department is committed to protecting the county's agricultural resources by helping control invasive and noxious weeds, enforcing Kansas Noxious Weed Law, and providing education and assistance to local landowners.
Our current facility, which includes an office, chemical storage area, and maintenance shop, was constructed in 1980 and continues to serve as the department's headquarters.
History of the Noxious Weed Program
Kansas established county Noxious Weed Departments in 1937, with field bindweed designated as the state's first noxious weed.
Early control methods included the use of salt, which prevented all vegetation from growing. Later, chlorate-based products were introduced, but they proved to be extremely hazardous. During the mid-to-late 1940s, 2,4-D herbicide became the primary weed control product and remains an effective tool today alongside many newer herbicides.
Advances in herbicide technology have greatly reduced the amount of product needed for effective weed control. What once required pounds or quarts per acre can now often be accomplished using only fractions of an ounce per acre.
The Noxious Weed Program was established to help landowners control invasive weeds while making approved herbicides available at a reduced cost.
Kansas Noxious Weeds
A noxious weed is a plant designated by law because it poses a significant threat to agriculture, natural resources, or the environment.
Kansas currently recognizes the following state-designated noxious weeds:
- Kudzu
- Field Bindweed
- Russian Knapweed
- Hoary Cress
- Canada Thistle
- Quackgrass
- Leafy Spurge
- Musk Thistle
- Johnsongrass
- Sericea Lespedeza
In addition, Kansas law allows County Commissioners to declare certain local weeds as noxious. In Ottawa County, these include:
- Bull Thistle
- Multiflora Rose
What We Do
The Ottawa County Noxious Weed Director is responsible for enforcing Kansas Noxious Weed Law throughout the county. The department works closely with landowners and agricultural producers to identify and manage noxious weed infestations.
Services provided by the department include:
- Monitoring and enforcing Kansas Noxious Weed Law
- Assisting landowners with noxious weed management
- Spraying noxious weeds along county roads and rights-of-way
- Controlling annual weeds on county property
- Investigating weed complaints
- Identifying and addressing emerging problem areas throughout the county
Contact Us
If you have questions about noxious weeds, weed control programs, or would like to report a noxious weed concern, please contact the Ottawa County Noxious Weed Department. We are happy to assist you.
