Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Weeds topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Carbondale adopts 2025 Integrated Weed Management Plan, favors manual control and trials over broad herbicide use
Summary
Trustees unanimously approved the town's 2025 Integrated Weed Management Plan, which prioritizes manual extraction, soil-health practices, targeted trials of alternative fertilizers and limited use of chemical tools; staff will continue pilot projects and a VCAPS drought-planning update.
The Town of Carbondale Board of Trustees unanimously approved the town's 2025 Integrated Weed Management Plan, a multi-year program that emphasizes soil health, manual removal of noxious weeds, targeted trials and minimizing chemical treatments.
Eric, a town staff member who presented the plan, told trustees the policy is the product of several years of work and multiple reviews by the parks and recreation commission and the environmental board. He said the plan prioritizes manual extraction, especially using trained temporary crews during peak growing season, and noted that properly maintained turf can be one of the most effective defenses against noxious weeds.
The plan includes test plots for a new fertilizer identified at a valley-wide weeds meeting, continued use of a steam/Avenger approach in some locations, and consideration of goats on limited acreage though staff said goats cost about $2,500 per day per acre and require management and oversight. Eric said the town has 39 irrigation systems on town property, 18 of which are irrigated with ditch water, and the town is preparing a VCAPS update to plan for irrigation reductions in drought scenarios.
Trustees praised staff for the memo and for the long-term, maintenance-focused approach. Trustee Chris moved to approve the plan; Trustee Colin seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
