Cowlitz County reports 2024 gains, continued challenges in noxious weed control

Jennifer Mendoza, coordinator of the Cowlitz County Noxious Weed Control Program, reported final 2024 program statistics to the Cowlitz County Board of Commissioners, highlighting expanded outreach, grant projects and continuing infestation trends.

The report comes as the county marks the 50th year of the local Weed Control Board. Mendoza said the board's volunteers and staff focused on education and targeted grant projects in 2024 while the program collected more field data than in prior years.

Mendoza told the board the county's program reached about 1,500 people through presentations and events and estimated contacts with roughly 9% of county households through inspections, mailings and assistance programs. "When you control something early or you have a smaller infestation and you can get on top of it early, it overall reduce[s] your control costs," Mendoza said.

The county tracks species in three legal classes. Mendoza said 163 species are listed statewide: 41 Class A species (eradication required), 70 Class B (control to prevent spread) and 52 Class C (widespread; control requested only in special situations). She reported that 80 species (class A, B and C combined) were present in the county in 2024, with about…