Heidi, the Mason County noxious weed program coordinator, told commissioners the program received a $25,000 interagency award from the Washington State Department of Agriculture to support Himalayan knotweed control in select creeks, rivers and shorelines in Mason County.

“We were awarded $25,000 from Washington State Department of Agriculture to be used for knotweed control in selected creeks, rivers, and shorelines in Mason County,” Heidi said.

The award is budgeted across fiscal years: $7,000 in the 2025 budget year, $15,000 in 2026 and $3,000 for the first part of 2027. The funding will support an extra‑help noxious‑weed specialist position and field treatments. Heidi asked the board to place the interagency agreement (contract number K6082) on the next action agenda for signature and approval and provided attachments including the new contract and last year’s knotweed report.

A commissioner asked whether the grant could cover automobile repairs; Heidi replied the funds are for salary and treatment work, not vehicle repairs.

No formal vote or signature occurred at the briefing; the action requested is placement of the agreement on a future consent or action agenda.