The Legislative Assembly finds and declares that:
(1) Noxious weeds are currently invading agricultural land and natural environments and causing severe production losses, increased control costs, negative impacts on native flora and fauna, decreased utilization of recreational areas and decreased value of farm, range and forest lands. Some of those noxious weeds are poisonous or harmful to humans or animals.
(2) Noxious weed control programs are carried out by private and public landowners, counties and state agencies.
(3) The economic and environmental impacts of noxious weeds in Oregon have not been quantified. Although 92 weeds have been listed by the State Department of Agriculture as restricted noxious weeds or prohibited noxious weeds, only tansy ragwort has been studied for economic and environmental impact. A comprehensive evaluation of other noxious weeds is necessary to determine in which areas, if any, the invasion of noxious weeds is sufficiently severe to justify a declaration by the Director of Agriculture of a weed control emergency.
(4) The overall effectiveness and efficiency of the various noxious weed control programs of this state have never been evaluated. Evaluating and coordinating those programs could reduce the need for the director to declare weed control emergencies. [1999 c.472 §1]
Note: 570.500 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 570 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.
Section: Previous 570.412 570.415 570.420 570.425 570.430 570.435 570.450 570.500 570.505 570.510 570.515 570.520 570.525 570.530 570.535 NextLast modified: August 7, 2008