Cecil Helps Residents Control Noxious Weeds

Noxious weeds threaten the productive land of farmers and can cause unsightly and unwanted problems in the lawns and gardens of homeowners. As a result of the region experiencing so much rain this Spring, Palmer Amaranth and other noxious weeds are multiplying at an incredible rate.

As a service to County residents, the Cecil County Department of Public Works (DPW), in cooperation with the Maryland Department of Agriculture, operates the weed control program to assist farmers, developers, right-of-way owners, federal, state, and local agencies and other landowners in controlling noxious weeds and certain other invasive species.

According to a press release:

According to the Agriculture Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, Thistles, Johnsongrass and Shatter Cane, also known as Wild Cane, have been deemed noxious weeds and are required to be controlled by the county. The state code also defines Rosa Multiflora, or multiflora rose, as a nuisance on land used for agricultural production.

“Noxious and invasive weeds are everyone’s concern. The problem is big and getting bigger,” explained Penhollow. “This year the Thistle is overrunning a lot of areas and I haven’t even made it out of the southern end of the county yet.”

State law requires anyone owning or managing land within the State of Maryland, including public entities, to eradicate or control these noxious weeds on that land. Mowing, cultivating or treating with an approved herbicide are practices that have been approved by the state.

…

The County weed control program, managed by the Roads Division, provides spot and boom spraying of approved herbicides on a fee-for-service basis.

Landowners who opt to utilize the County’s weed control services are billed an hourly rate for labor plus the cost of the herbicides used. Failure to pay for services rendered can result in a lien being placed against the property by the County Finance Department.

Current rates:

  • Farm Land: $55 per hour
  • Non-Farm Land: $100 per hour
  • CRP/CREP Sites: $125 per hour
  • Aquatic Weeds: $150 per hour
  • Invasive Specie: $100 per hour
  • Helper: $25 per hour
  • Minimum Charge: $100

The Weed Control Coordinator provides inspection and noxious weed control services throughout Cecil County from April through November.

Read the full press release for more information.