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Contact: Lisa Cilva Ward Ward Communications [EMAIL REDACTED] (435) 645-7206 (office) (435) 901-0939 (cell) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 9, 2010 SUMMIT COUNTY TO ENFORCE WEED CONTROL PROCEDURES Residents required to control weeds on their properties Summit County, UT—In recent years, the spread of noxious weeds in Summit County has become a matter of growing concern for citizens as well as County leaders and staff. While citizen education has helped to raise awareness of the problem, proliferation of noxious weeds in the region continues to be widespread. In response to these concerns, and as the spring and summer growing seasons commence, Summit County’s Weed Division has adopted new enforcement procedures for Summit County residents. The enforcement program will be handled through the reassignment of an existing Weed Division staffer to also include weed law enforcement duties. The weed enforcement officer will alert property owners of the presence of noxious weeds on their property, following notification provisions of state law and county policy. This will be a two step process. The first notice advises the property owner to control the weeds present on the property. If the property owner is unresponsive to this notice, they will then be given a Notice of Public Nuisance. The second notice will provide a specific timeframe for taking action on treating the weeds specific to the property. Summit County asks residents to be proactive in controlling weeds on their property, and avoiding the spreading of weeds to surrounding areas. If no action is taken on an issued Notice of Public ---PAGE BREAK--- Nuisance, the County or its contracted agent will enter the noticed property and take action to treat the weeds. This level of enforcement action will only be taken as a measure of last resort, when voluntary compliance efforts have proved fruitless. If a County‐initiated weed control service is necessary, the cost of this effort will be invoiced to the property owner. If unpaid within 90 days, the bill shall be placed as a lien against the property and will be due at the time of the annual property tax bill. The primary focus of the County’s weed control efforts will remain on citizen education and voluntary compliance. However, staff is now authorized to enforce weed control directives when it becomes the only means to achieve compliance with the law. Summit County has developed an informative Web page at www.summitcounty.org/weeds to educate citizens about types of weeds common to our area, including photos and descriptions of each weed, an online calendar of when weeds are found in our area, and timing of specific control measures for each weed type. Educational brochures are available on the site. Summit County also provides a free “loaner sprayer” program for County residents. Information on these programs is available by calling [PHONE REDACTED]. Summit County is an 1880 square‐mile region known for the quality and variety of its natural environment, recreational and cultural identities. With a population of approximately 40,000 spread over three distinct geographical areas, Summit County is a partnership of small communities that make up a richly diverse region blending agriculture, ranching, and tourism. For more information, contact Lisa Cilva Ward at (435) 645‐7206 or [EMAIL REDACTED] . Contact: Lisa Cilva Ward Ward Communications [EMAIL REDACTED] (435) 645-7206 (office) (435) 901-0939 (cell)