County seeks state review of herbicide‑resistant 'kosha' after expert briefing on wildfire risk

Williams County commissioners authorized staff June 2 to draft a letter to the North Dakota Industrial Commission and ask neighboring counties to join, following a presentation on herbicide‑resistant kochia ('kosha') and the species’ role as wildfire fuel.

Tom Leo of Williams County Weed Control described rising resistance problems and asked the commission for political support to change best‑practice guidance. Remote presenter Derek Sebastian, a vegetation‑management specialist, told the board that kochia populations in the region are showing resistance to multiple herbicide modes of action and recommended shifting to newer soil‑active pre‑emergent chemistries and fall/winter treatment timing to reduce escapes and wildfire fuel.

"The longer you wait to spray these kosha plants, the larger the plants are going to be," Sebastian said, and noted that late post‑emergent applications now frequently fail on resistant plants. He showed field samples that laboratory testing confirmed as resistant to glyphosate, dicamba and other commonly used products.

Commissioners discussed coordinating with the Department of Mineral Resources and oil‑field operators, because poorly controlled vegetation around oil pads and flares increases ignition risk. The board moved, seconded and unanimously approved a request that county staff draft a letter to the Industrial Commission and seek support from neighboring counties.

Next steps: staff will prepare a letter documenting local observations and requesting updated guidance for industrial and oil‑field vegetation management, emphasizing fall/winter pre‑emergent strategies and adoption of newer chemistries where appropriate.