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Weed director reports early mowing, clean soil tests and plans to contain amur honeysuckle
Summary
Noxious weed director reported mowing ahead of schedule, lagoon maintenance, soil tests that came back under budget, barrels to be incinerated and a proposed reclassification and containment approach for amur honeysuckle; glyphosate sale rules remain under review.
Mike Bowler, Riley County noxious weed director, told commissioners the county finished its second round of mowing a month ahead of schedule and that staff work and newer equipment contributed to efficiency gains.
Bowler said lagoon maintenance continues, including vegetation treatments and plans to treat cattails with a lagoon boat. He announced household hazardous waste (HHW) collection at Howie’s on Saturday, Aug. 9, from 8 a.m. to noon and said the facility gives away latex paint.
On an environmental response item, Bowler said soil sampling and barrel profiling for a recent cleanup came back under budget. He said the county budgeted $13,244 for lab work and the actual cost was about $7,000. Bowler said the analysis showed no leaching or long‑lived “forever chemicals” and that Clean Harbors is not recommending further soil mitigation; barrels of mixed, heavily diluted chemicals are scheduled for incineration.
Bowler reported he worked with Manhattan Fire Department HazMat personnel to reduce analytical costs and thanked the commission for funding the testing. He said fencing and discussions with neighboring property owners are in place to reduce future illegal dumping at the site.
Bowler said he sought a change in state classification for amur honeysuckle (a highly invasive shrub). He explained that moving the species from a hypothetical Class B to Class C (as discussed with the state) would shift the duty from active reduction to containment. Bowler said full eradication across infested linear corridors in Manhattan and nearby areas would likely cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
On glyphosate, Bowler said manufacturers have placed voluntary restrictions and some labels have changed. He noted that he still sells glyphosate for agricultural use at the HHW facility but that “the label is the law,” and he is monitoring state guidance and considering future local restrictions.
Bowler closed by inviting commissioners to observe lagoon and weed treatments and by standing for questions.
