County considers new approach to eastern red cedar control, proposes stakeholder task force
In a work session, county staff and outside counsel described ecological and agricultural harms from eastern red cedar and proposed options ranging from a task force to classify cedars as invasive — with commissioners expressing concern about enforcement implications of a noxious‑weed designation.
The full story
Will Johnson, County Administrator, and attorney Tim Connell led a work session on eastern red cedar management. Connell described cedar impacts in Kansas — seed spread, high water use, forage loss and increased wildfire risk — and urged policy action to protect tallgrass prairie and agricultural productivity. Connell asked the County to consider discouraging new shelterbelts unless male trees can be identified, classifying cedars as a noxious weed, and exploring whether heavily infested property should retain agricultural classification.
Sign up to keep reading.
Your free newsletter brings you what your city council, county, and school board discussed and decided.
Keep reading for free
Create a free account to finish this story and see the video, transcript and key details.
Continue with GoogleContinue with emailAlready have an account? Log in