Weed spraying days planned in mountains

The SFCWMA (South Fork Cooperative Weed Management Area) will again be offering a community weed awareness spray day for the Mayfield, Prairie, Pine/Featherville communities.

The spray days are made possible due to a cost share program with the Idaho State Department of Agriculture. "In-kind" credit for labor of agencies and private landowners treating noxious weeds qualifies for funding of purchase of chemicals to treat noxious weeds.

"This is not a free service, this is a cooperation of agencies and private landowners working together to control noxious weeds on public and private lands," a spokesperson for the SFCWMA said. Idaho law requires landowners to control noxious weeds on their property.

The community spray days are intended to bring awareness of noxious weeds in the area to landowners and help them begin a treatment plan for control of noxious weed infestations they may have on their property.

Mixed chemical and backpacks will be available to landowners to spray weeds.

Those participating should come dressed in long sleeves, pants, and closed-toe shoes for spraying purposes.

"If you cannot attend but know you have weeds you would like treated on your property you may give written permission to a neighbor to pick up chemical and spray your property," the spokesman said.

Chemicals will be given out on a first-come first-serve basis.

"We are asking that you check your property for noxious weeds and plan to participate in a spray day in your area or make arrangements with a neighbor or a member of the SFCWMA to spray your property. A unified effort is required to eradicate weed infestations and protect our native species," the SFCWMA spokesman said.

The spray days will be held in:

* Mayfield on Wednesday, May 21, at Erin Lord's residence from 10 a.m. to noon.

* Prairie on Thursday, June 3, at the Town Hall from 10 a.m. to noon.

Dates for the Pine/Featherville spray day will be set at a later date and announced in the paper.

For more information contact SFCWMA Chairman Tina Ruffing with the Mountain Home Ranger District at 587-7961, ext. 7167 or ext. 7170 or Dean Johnson with the Idaho Department of Lands at 334-3488, ext. 108.