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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday
July 20, 2009
Contact:
Rick
Johnson, Weed Coordinator- 360-786-5576
Perennial
Pepperweed Discovered in
Thurston
County
Yelm-
Perennial Pepperweed, an invasive noxious weed, has been found growing in a
pasture in Southern Thurston County. The only other infestation in
Thurston
County
exists at the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge and is monitored for control by refuge
personnel.
Perennial
Pepperweed threatens most all lands in
Thurston
County
as it tolerates salty and wet soils, invades intact ecosystems, pastures,
roadsides, cropland and both fresh and salt water shorelines. It causes large
economic losses, degrades wildlife habitat, crowds out native plants, and
accelerates soil erosion.
Perennial
Pepperweed is ranked as the #2 threat to
Thurston
County
by the Thurston County Noxious Weed Control Board as seen on this document
from their web site. http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/tcweeds/documents/Risk%20Assessment%20Chart%20with%20values.pdf
The
University
of
Washington
has confirmed the specimen collected on July 16, 2009 as Perennial Pepperweed.
Thurston
County
weed staff is providing the landowner with the most up to date scientific data
to control the species in a rapid response attempt to prevent it from
spreading throughout
Thurston
County
.
Additional
information can be found at the Noxious Weed web site on the web at:
www.co.thurston.wa.us/tcweeds
Photographs
of perennial pepperweed can be found at: http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/tcweeds/weeds/perennialpepperweed.htm
A
fact sheet about perennial pepperweed and control options can be found at http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/tcweeds/weeds/fact-sheets/Perennial%20Pepperweed%20Prescription.pdf
Residents of
Thurston
County
are encouraged to report any additional findings of this noxious weed to the
Thurston County Resource Stewardship Department, Noxious Weed Unit, at 360
786-5576.
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