Columbia Gorge Cooperative Weed Management Area Weed List Rankings
Columbia Gorge CWMA Ranking:
Weed Categories: Weeds are divided into 4 general categories which are managed in different ways. These categories are similar to state/county rating systems, but assignment of weeds to specific categories reflects the distribution of those weeds within the CWMA region. This list of weeds may not include all weeds found locally.
‘A’ Listed Weeds: Early Detection. Some of these weeds are found outside the CWMA region but could invade the region at any time in the future. Some have been found in the CWMA in isolated populations. Management focuses on developing an Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR) network of people and organizations to identify sites.
‘B’ Listed Weeds: High Importance. These weeds can be locally abundant, but may also occur in spotty distribution across the landscape. Management focuses on inventory to determine distribution, followed by eradication of small, isolated populations, and control or containment of larger infestations.
‘C’ Listed Weeds: Common. These weeds occur across the landscape at a level where eradication, containment or control is not economically feasible. Management focuses on removing them from ecologically, socially and economically important sites and slowing their spread through prevention actions. When available, biological controls should be used.
‘W’ Listed Weeds: Watch list. These weeds display invasive qualities in our area or similar ecosystems, but they have not yet proven to be problematic. Management focuses on inventory to determine if the plant is behaving aggressively followed by eradication or close observation going into the future. The purpose of the “Watch list” is to gather more information on suspect weeds, as well as monitor for occurrence or spread. Information collected may be used to justify future inclusion on the state noxious weed list. There is no legal or regulatory aspect to this list.
Oregon State Weed Board Ranking:
‘A’ Listed Weed – a weed of known economic importance which occurs in the state in small enough infestations to make eradication or containment possible; or is not known to occur, but its presence in neighboring states make future occurrence in Oregon seem imminent (Table 1). Recommended action: Infestations are subject to eradication or intensive control when and where found. An “A” means the weed is either a potential invader from neighboring states or it is present in small enough infestations to make eradication/containment possible.
‘B’ Listed Weeds – a weed of economic importance which is regionally abundant, but which may have limited distribution in some counties (Table 2). Recommended action: Limited to intensive control at the state, county or regional level as determined on a site specific, case-by-case basis. Where implementation of a fully integrated statewide management plan is not feasible, biological control (when available) shall be the primary control method. A “B” listing means the weed is regionally abundant, but may have limited distribution in some counties.
‘W’ Listed Weeds- The purpose of the “Watch list” is to gather more information on suspect weeds, as well as monitor for occurrence or spread. Information collected may be used to justify future inclusion on the state noxious weed list. There is no legal or regulatory aspect to this list.
Washington Noxious Weed Control Board Rating:
‘A’ Listed Weeds: Non-native species whose distribution in Washington is still limited. Preventing new infestations and eradicating existing infestations are the highest priority. Eradication of all Class A plants is required by law.
‘B’ Listed Weeds: Non-native species presently limited to portions of the State. Species are designated for control in regions where they are not yet widespread. Preventing new infestations in these areas is a high priority. In regions where a Class B species is already abundant, control is decided at the local level, with containment as the primary goal. Please contact your County Noxious Weed Control Coordinator to learn which species are designated in your area.
‘C’ Listed Weeds: Noxious weeds which are already widespread in WA or are of special interest to the state’s agricultural industry. The Class C status allows counties to enforce control if locally desired. Other counties may choose to provide education or technical consultation.
Columbia Gorge 