OLYMPIA — Only certified weed-free horse feed can be used in the Olympic National Forest to minimize the spread of invasive plants, says a new rule announced this week.
Before the new rule came into effect for all national forests, weed-free horse feed was required only in wilderness areas, said a prepared statement from the Olympic National Forest office in Olympia.
Now, all hay, cubes, straw, grain and other crop or mulch products must be certified weed-free according to North American Weed Management Association standards. Commercially processed pellets or steamed, rolled grains also are allowed.
Materials used in restoration and erosion control projects must meet the same requirements.
“We appreciate our partnership with the Backcountry Horsemen of Washington and our local county noxious weed boards to help implement this new program,” Forest Supervisor Dale Hom said.
More than 3,800 acres in the Olympic National Forest has infestations of non-native plants, and new infestations still are being discovered, the statement said.
Forage and mulch products sometimes contain seed or reproductive parts from non-native, invasive and noxious weeds. The resulting weed populations compete with native species and change the character of the land.
After an undetermined period of education, violators can be fined up to $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization or be imprisoned for not more than six months or both.
The Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board, along with county weed boards, manages the inspection and certification program, called the Washington Wilderness Hay and Mulch program.
For information and a list of providers in Washington state, see www.nwcb.wa.gov/index.htm or phone 360-902-2053.
For more information about the use of weed-free feed in the national forest, phone Susan Piper, Olympic National Forest’s Wildlife and Botany Program Manager, at 360-956-2435 or see www.fs.fed.us/r6/olympic.
