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Weed department warns of severe whitetop and Scotch thistle infestations; UDAF mitigation grant pending
Summary
The county weed director reported heavy infestations of whitetop, musk thistle and Scotch thistle across multiple areas, outlined recent eradication efforts and said finalization of a UDAF invasive-species mitigation grant is pending. Staff asked for help notifying landowners and prioritizing problem areas.
Duchesne County’s weed-control director briefed commissioners June 30 on large-scale invasive-weed problems across the county, citing severe whitetop and Scotch thistle infestations in Roseville, Tabby Mountain and Yupalco. Director Schonzer said crews are "flat out infested" in some corridors and described recent mitigation work including a targeted five-mile musk-thistle removal in Timber Canyon and riverbed wader operations.
Schonzer said staff are finalizing an invasive-species mitigation grant with the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) but have encountered administrative issues related to prior employee records and the previous grant owner; he asked the commission for assistance in notifying private property owners and potentially mailing them compliance/abatement letters.
Commissioners discussed prioritization, private contractors and tribal coordination (the director said tribal lands are not currently cooperating), and requested staff draft a standard letter to property owners that the county could mail when owner-based abatement is appropriate. No vote was required; staff will continue grant finalization and field operations.
