Deschutes board hears plenty on weed rules

A hot debate has sprouted in Deschutes County — bringing a packed room and lots of opinions before commissioners at Wednesday’s meeting about a new noxious weed ordinance.

“I would like to see a citation as the first step,” said one man.

“My observation is the biggest offender are all of the public entities,” said another.

“There is some concern about selective enforcement,” Deschutes River Woods resident Josh Gatling said.

In all, more than a dozen people testified while about 70 people listened and watched.

Many supporting the weed ordinance, and many in opposition.

Commissioners are examining an ordinance creating a Weed Control District, a new list of noxious weeds, and giving a weed inspector the power to impose fines to those who don’t comply with the rules.

The maximum fine: $2,000.

If the law is adopted, people could be required to keep their properties free of banned weeds. In some instances, county officials could even get a court order to remove weeds from private properties.

Farm equipment would also be required to be cleaned before it can be removed from the property.

County Forester Ed Keith told commissioners that education, and working with the community is the main priority; giving fines would be a last resort.

“It’s only those folks that refuse to do anything at all that we might consider taking that to the next step of a fine,” Keith said.

Keith also said it’s everyone’s responsibility to keep pesky weeds at bay.

Some at the meeting said it’s a necessary step to protect our environment and economy.

“After losing 28,000 aces last year in Sisters, part of what was fueled by cheat grass… I think we can agree it’s a real problem here and it’s only going to get worse,” a Sisters farmer said.

Farmers have a lot at stake — but also urban residents who worry they’ll be targeted unfairly.

“I try to pull all the weeds I can, and I’m still concerned that I won’t be able to get everything that’s on this list,” Gatling said. “The agriculture interests are being considered more than people on small acreages.”

Commissioners were expected to make a decision on Wednesday, but decided to push back a vote one more week.

Public comment on the issue is being accepted until next Wednesday.

If commissioners adopt the ordinance, they will also have to decide who will do the actual enforcing –either the weed inspector or the sheriff’s office.

Commissioners say this weed ordinance is very similar to state laws already in place.