Staff recommends the acceptance of the $25,000 grant to begin a European Buckthorn education and eradication program within the City.

European Buckthorn is a very aggressive noxious weed that began as an ornamental shrub commonly planted in yards around Billing. The Parks and Recreation Department Forestry Division has been aggressively attacking the Buckthorn infestation at Riverfront Park for the last 5 years. This grant will allow an eradication program to begin within the city on private property. The main goal is to eradicate buckthorn from the entire city and will begin with a public information program, then working closely with the Code Enforcement Department, property owners will be contacted and resources provided to assist in the removal of buckthorn from their property. The first phase of the program will be funded by a grant from the Montana Department of Agriculture.

City Council may:

• Accept the Grant or,
• Not Accept the grant

Thr grant will fully fund the first phase of the program including the public information campaign and buckthorn removal from locations determined by Code Enforcement.