Weed Commissioner

Weed Commissioner

Feel free to visit the ISU Extension website for more information on many of the weeds that are considered noxious (photos are included):  https://crops.extension.iastate.edu/encyclopedia/iowas-noxious-weed-law-chapter-317
 

TAMA COUNTY NOTICE

for the Destruction of Noxious Weeds

To All Property Owners and Tenants:

The Board of Supervisors of Tama County issues this notice pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 317 of the Code of Iowa, and Chapter 58 of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Administrative Code:

That each owner and each person in the possession or control of lands in Tama County shall eradicate all Class A noxious weeds listed in Chapter 58 of the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Administrative Code, 21-58.4 (317); and control all Class B noxious weeds thereon, as defined in this chapter, at such time in each year and in such manner as shall prevent said weeds from blooming or coming to maturity.

That it is recommended that all Class A weeds, listed below, be eradicated. All Class B noxious weeds, listed below, shall be controlled before the following dates and as often thereafter as is necessary to prevent seed production throughout the growing season. However, the following dates are guidelines only. Weather conditions may cause weeds to mature several weeks ahead of normal and consequently require control measures prior to the listed dates.

Class A Noxious Weeds: Palmer Amaranth

Class B Noxious Weeds:

Group 1: May 15, 2026 – Musk Thistle

Group 2: May 22, 2026 – Leafy Spurge

Group 3: May 31, 2026 – Canada Thistle, Multiflora Rose

Group 4: June 30, 2026 – Field Bindweed, Teasel, Bull Thistle, Plumeless Thistle (all genus Carduus)

That if the owners or persons in possession or control of any land in Tama County fail to comply with the foregoing orders, the Weed Commissioner shall issue a fine for violation of $10/day up to 10 days for failure of the destruction of noxious weeds per the provision of Chapter 317 Code of Iowa, as of the date the notification is served. If the violation continues after 10 days of the notification is dated, the Weed Commissioner shall cause the weeds to be controlled. If the commissioner, the deputies, or the agents enter the land and control the weeds, the actual cost and expense of controlling the weeds, along with the cost of serving notice and special meetings or proceedings, shall be paid by the county and together with the additional assessment to apply toward the costs of supervision and administration, be recovered by an assessment against the tract of real estate on which the weeds were growing as provided in Section 317.21. Any fine imposed shall be recovered by a similar assessment.

Complaints should be submitted to the Weed Commissioner and can be made anonymously. State the reason for the complaint, the general location on the property, the legal description of the property, the owners of the land and the tenants or persons in control of the land.

The County Engineer and Weed Commissioner will provide signs for posting areas not to be sprayed, without cost, to landowners desiring to limit roadside spraying in their area.

NOTICE

Get your (DO NOT SPRAY) signs free from the Tama County Auditor 104 West State Street, Toledo 641-484-2740 or Laura Wilson, Weed Commissioner, 129 W High St, Toledo, 641-654-7045 by May 31.

LAURA WILSON, WEED COMMISSIONER

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

Curt Hilmer, David Turner, Heather Knebel, Mark Doland, Curt Kupka

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*Iowa Code Chapter 317 can be found here:  https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/317.pdf

*Iowa Administrative Code 58 can be found here:  https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/iac/chapter/03-19-2025.21.58.pdf 

*Tama County Weed Control Ordinance 5.12 can be found here: https://www.tamacounty.iowa.gov/files/county_ordinances/5.12_weed_control_535.pdf

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