La Plata Conservation District

The La Plata Conservation District Weed Cost Share Program is a collaborative effort with La Plata County through funding from the Colorado Department of Agriculture. The program intends to assist private landowners/managers with the cost of controlling targeted weeds on their property. The program targets those who own, manage, and/or operate taxable land in La Plata County. The cost share funds are to be used primarily for purchasing herbicide to treat weed-infested areas and for seed mixes used to re-vegetate treatment areas. If using a commercial applicator, one must show an itemized invoice with a separate line item showing the herbicide cost.

To be eligible, the landowner must have a county issued Weed Management Plan (WMP) completed for that particular property within the past 5 years. If not, applicants must schedule and (ideally) participate in a site visit with Ben Bain, La Plata County Weed Control Coordinator. Call (970) 382-6470 to arrange a visit. A plan is not needed if a Colorado-licensed professional performs treatment.

The applicant will be considered for the Cost Share Program if the Weed Control Coordinator confirms the presence of the La Plata County targeted weeds or the presence of Colorado List A, B, or C weeds. Additional funding is available for labor and materials for specific isolated populations of County List A weeds, however, pre-approval must be obtained from the County Weed Coordinator. Contact Ben Bain to apply for this specific program. The following online resources may be helpful for determining noxious weed species listed in the program:

https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/agconservation/noxious-weed-species

https://co.laplata.co.us/government/departments/weeds_management/noxious_weed_list/

A WMP is a written multi-year integrated noxious weed treatment plan that includes weed type, herbicide product, application rate and timing instructions. Applicants must agree to abide by the weed treatment plan recommendations and to monitor weed re-invasion in subsequent years, retreating as necessary. Deviations from the treatment plan are allowable only with prior approval of the County Weed Control Office. Weed treatment must be applied only to the lands described in the treatment plan and reimbursement is limited to 50% of the actual cost for materials purchased March 1st through Nov. 15th 2018. If landowner hires outside help for pesticide application, payment must be made to a licensed applicator.

The maximum reimbursement under the program is $600 per private landowner, $1,000 per homeowner association, and $1,200 per Ditch Company. Weeds must be treated prior to applying for reimbursement. Any reimbursement over $500 is subject to pre- and post-treatment monitoring from the county’s weed control staff.

Applications for reimbursement will be processed on a first-come first-served basis until all funds have been expended. Request for reimbursement will require treatment start and completion dates, acres treated and the original purchase receipts for treatment materials. Before and after treatment photographs of the treatment area are required. Applications for cost-share reimbursement must be received by November 15 2018.

Applicants will be disqualified for attempting to defraud the program in any manner, applying alternate herbicides or at rates other than those specifically identified in the Weed Management Plan or for using program materials on lands outside the program guidelines.

Please read and fill out entire application carefully and completely. Incomplete applications will not be processed and will be returned by mail, resulting in delayed reimbursement. Your reimbursement cost share check will be issued by La Plata Conservation District. Submit application, release form, map of weed project, treatment photographs and original receipts (no photocopies) in one package to:

La Plata County Weed Office

2500 Main Ave

Durango, CO 81301

Do not include statements, credit card receipts or photocopies of checks in the application package. This program is available to all eligible applicants without discrimination. No endorsement of products is intended nor is criticism implied of products not mentioned.