Hancock County adopts Noxious Weed Notice, sets deadlines for landowners to control listed species

The Hancock County Board of Supervisors on April 27 adopted Resolution No. 2026‑019, a Noxious Weed Notice directing owners and persons in possession or control of land in the county to cut, burn or otherwise destroy specified noxious weeds and keep lands free of growth that would render adjoining streets and highways unsafe for public travel.

The resolution, adopted by a unanimous vote on a motion by Supervisor Florence (Sis) Greiman and seconded by Supervisor Gary Rayhons, invokes Chapter 317 of the Code of Iowa as authority for the order.

The resolution lists control deadlines by group: GROUP 1 (including leafy spurge, perennial peppergrass, sour dock, smooth dock, sheep sorrel, and common and glossy buckthorn) and GROUP 2 (including Canadian thistle, bull thistle, Russian knapweed, quack grass, wild mustard, shatter cane, teasel and palmer amaranth) must be cut or otherwise destroyed on or before June 15, 2026. GROUP 3 (field bindweed and wild carrot) and GROUP 4 (including sunflower, horse nettle, perennial sow thistle, cocklebur, velvet leaf, puncture vine, poison hemlock, multi‑flora rose and marijuana) must be treated on or before July 15, 2026.

The resolution directs that owners of land infested with any listed noxious weed adopt a Weed Commission‑prescribed destruction program intended to eradicate infestations within five years and immediately keep such infestations under control. If an owner fails to comply, the Weed Commission is authorized to cause the work to be done and to assess the expense, including notice costs, against the land and owners.

The County Auditor was directed to publish notice of the order in the county’s official newspapers. The Board adjourned at 10:57 a.m.