The Knotweed Grant Program projects began in 2004 with grant funding from the Washington State Department of Agriculture.  Rivers and Creek systems in Cowlitz County that have been treated for knotweed infestations include:  Lewis River, Abernathy Creek, Monahan Creek and an area near Wyant Creek in Toutle.

Each watershed requires at least 3 years of treatment to significantly reduce knotweed infestations that are degrading our salmon rearing watersheds.

We depend on the support and cooperation of landowners within the affected areas for access to the creek systems, and for their continual efforts to control knotweed on their properties.  In order to be able and dramatically decrease infestations of knotweed in all of our watersheds.  We will be asking landowners in those areas where we have been able to treat for at least 3 years, with a successful reduction of 80% of the treated knotweed, to begin managing their smaller and more manageable knotweed sites in order for us to move on to other critical watersheds.  You are the steward of this important habitats and we need your help to protect them.

Why is this work so important?  Knotweed is destroying one of our most valuable resources; our watersheds.  Knotweed is a highly aggressive invasive plant species that is displacing native vegetation, destroying critical fish and wildlife habitat and reducing recreational opportunities for our citizens.

In an effort to successfully begin restoring these watersheds, we need your cooperation and support.  We have partnered with the Cowlitz Conservation District to restore streams that we have been successful in treating.  Re-vegetation and fish enhancement recovery projects are scheduled to begin soon.

Help us Fight Noxious and invasive Plant Species!

Mount St Helens National Volcanic Monument is a well recognized tourist site.  Since 1980 when the mountain's top was dramatically lost to volcanic activity, this area is still recovering from the changes it endured.  The landscape was changed and left vulnerable to invading plant species and local wildlife and native vegetation struggle to re-colonize the area.

A number of invasive and noxious plant species are currently invading this sensitive landscape.  In January of 2009, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest offered forest project funding for 2009 and 2010.  We submitted an invasive species control project for the Mount St Helens Monument to help reduce infestations of knapweed  and scotchbroom plant species .  We are proud to say that we have been awarded project funding for both years.

The ground work on the Monument is a coordinated joint partnership between the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Mount St Helens National Volcanic Monument, The Cowlitz County Corrections Department and the Cowlitz County Noxious Weed Control Board.

We are taking this opportunity to help benefit forest health, increase recreational opportunities to the public, decrease invasive species, promote establishment of native plant species and improve wildlife habitat.

  
Only you can help preserve our beautiful landscapes!

Biological Controls (insects) are helping to control infestations of several invasive and noxious weeds species found in Cowlitz County.  Several noxious weed species we are currently being controlled with the help from biological insects. 

Biological insects are approved for release by the Federal government and are moved around in our state through Washington State Department of Agriculture and the King County WSU Extension office in a coordinated effort with each county Noxious Weed Department.

Releases prior to 2009
●Tansy ragwort            ●Purple loosestrife           ●Canada thistle              ●Scotchbroom

2009 and 2010 Releases
●Dalmatian toadflax           ●Meadow knapweed         ●Diffused knapweed           ●Spotted knapweed

A total of seven species specific biological control insects have been released to control the
noxious weeds species listed above.  Other biological insect species that were released
throughout Washington State, have also found their way into our county to help fight infestations.
 

In 2009 alone, five target specific
species(1800 insects) were released.