State listing proposals for 2026 include waterhemp and delta arrowhead; Clallam board invites public comment
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Summary
At the meeting staff summarized species under consideration for the Washington State Noxious Weed List and urged board members and residents to attend the state hearing next week. Proposed additions include waterhemp and delta arrowhead as Class A listings and potential Class C reclassifications for black locust and Norway maple.
Staff briefed the Clallam County Noxious Weed Board on proposed changes to the Washington State Noxious Weed List and encouraged members to engage with the state process.
The staff presentation described waterhemp (a pigweed-like species) and delta arrowhead (a wetland plant) as candidates for Class A listing —the state’s designation for species targeted for eradication where they are rare —and noted additional discussion over making black locust and Norway maple Class C species (largely widespread but prioritized in specific areas). "It looks like they're going to be adding or they're they're, debating about adding waterhemp and delta arrowhead as class a weeds," staff said (00:36:49–00:37:29).
Staff described waterhemp as hard to distinguish from Palmer's amaranth without genetic testing and said the species has known herbicide resistance concerns in agricultural areas. Delta arrowhead was described as a wetland species that can clog shallow waterways in locations where it is nonnative. Staff offered to share contact information for the state hearing and noted it is scheduled for next week; members were invited to submit comments or attend the public hearing.
No county action was taken on listings during this meeting; staff framed the item as informational and urged public participation in the state process.
