Noxious Weed Program

The objective of the Minnesota Noxious Weed Law is to prevent the spread and proliferation of undesirable plants in order to minimize adverse effects on the state's citizens.  A key provision provides for state, county, and municipal cooperation in enforcement. Each has a separate and distinct function that makes duplication of effort unnecessary and allows all three to join forces on difficult enforcement problems. 

The County Agricultural Inspector (CAI) sees that all laws and rules dealing with noxious weeds are carried out within their jurisdiction.  The CAI is responsible for training and guiding municipal officials in their responsibilities for enforcement.

Municipal officials are mayors in cities and supervisors on township boards.  They are responsible for inspection of all land in their jurisdiction and for making the first contact with landowners. Statistics indicate that about eighty percent of landowners with a noxious weed problem comply after being contacted by municipal officials. For the remaining twenty percent, the CAI would issue an individual notice for each violation establishing a time limit for compliance. Statistics again indicate about an eighty percent compliance rate with the notices.

The remaining four percent not yet in compliance face either prosecution or proceedings whereby the CAI would hire the control done. This system of enforcement is aimed at achieving voluntary compliance whenever possible because that is the cheapest and most effective form of enforcement.

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