Update on Cooperative Weed Management Partnership

As the Board is aware, City Staff have been attending meetings coordinated by the Anoka Conservation District (ACD) regarding a Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA) Partnership to address invasive and noxious weeds within the county.  There are several points of emphasis for this partnership including mapping locations of noxious weeds, better coordination of public education efforts, and potential access to grant funds by private property owners for noxious weed control.  Participation in the CWMA does require execution of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which is a non-binding agreement that outlines the five (5) main goals: Information Exchange, Education, Prevention, Noxious Weed Control, and Cooperation.

At the end of May, ACD staff provided some brief training to Ramsey Public Works Staff on two noxious weeds: Oriental Bittersweet and Wild Parsnip.  While Oriental Bittersweet is concerning because of its invasive tendencies, Wild Parsnip is concerning because its sap can cause severe blistering and swelling with human contact.  While there are no known sites of Oriental Bittersweet in Ramsey, Staff has confirmed one infestation of Wild Parsnip.

Through this partnership, the City and Ramsey residents should benefit from better educational efforts, potential access to grant funds for noxious weed control (private property owners only), and better tracking to help eliminate 'new' noxious weeds from becoming established.  There is no financial committment required from the City and the MOU does not obligate the City to take any actions above and beyond those already required via federal, state, county and/or local laws, and clearly states that it is non-binding and that partners can leave the partnership at any time with a thirty (30) day written notice to all partners.

Alternatives

Alternative 1: Recommend City Council authorize execution of the MOU for Ramsey to officially join the Anoka County Weed Management Area Partnership.  The MOU does not obligate the City to do anything (City is already subject to any federal, state, and county regulations related to noxious weeds) and provides Ramsey residents with potential access to grant funds to address noxious weeds on private land.  The ACD would act as the grant administrator, thus this does not add any additional responsibility on City Staff.  Finally, the spirit of this partnership is to encourage information sharing, public education, and enhanced control of noxious weeds, which can have detrimental health impacts.  Staff supports this alternative.

Alternative 2: Recommend that the City not participate in this partnership.  This would not add any additional work load to City Staff.  Also, if the City opts not to participate, residents of Ramsey will not be eligible to seek grant funds that could be used to assist with control/eradication of noxious weeds on private property.  Staff does not support this alternative.

This case is being handled as part of Staff's normal duties.

Motion to recommend that City Council authorize execution of the MOU to participate in the Anoka County Cooperative Weed Management Area Partnership.