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Board tables North Plains Connector weed-control plan pending county clarification
Summary
Oliver County weed board reviewed a draft plan from the North Plains Connector project that updates contact information and references the state noxious-weed list; members voted to table action until county commissioners and staff confirm roles and provide a final document.
The Oliver County Weed Control Board reviewed a draft plan tied to the North Plains Connector project and voted to table any formal approval until county commissioners and staff provide clarification on responsibility and a final version of the document. The draft included updated contact information and references to the state list of noxious weeds.
Weed control officer (S2) described the draft and the highlighted changes, saying the revision “addresses our concerns” and pointing board members to the table of noxious weeds the state maintains. A presenter for the project (Presenter, S5) told the board the company expects to contract local firms for vegetation control and that, in practice, “we are the landowner, and we are contracting with locals to handle any of the grass and the weed control.”
Board members raised questions about whether the contractor or the county would be accountable for weed control during construction. The board discussed tenant leases and whether the disturbance caused by construction could create new weed problems; S2 warned that disturbing soil can reveal or spread weeds, citing past wind-farm projects as examples.
After discussion, S2 moved to table further action on the draft until the county commissioners and project contacts provide direction or a final document; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. The board asked staff to follow up with Commissioner Rob and other county officials before the next meeting.
