“In Montana alone, more than six million acres of rangeland are suffering from an infestation of noxious weeds, which diminish livestock forage, displace native plants, and reduce wildlife habitat,” Rehberg, a member of the House Agriculture and Resources Committees, said.  

       Noxious weeds – including various forms of knapweed, leafy spurge, musk thistle, and toadflax – are rapidly spreading across the West.  Often stimulated by devastating wildfires, their proliferation increases soil erosion and stream sedimentation, undermining healthy and productive ecosystems.

       “We’re just starting to see signs of invasive plants eroding the banks of the Yellowstone and Missouri rivers. We simply have to get this problem under control before it’s too late,” Rehberg said. “Our legislation gives states like Montana the help they need to manage and eradicate these invasive and harmful weeds.” 

       The bill approved by Congress requires the Secretary of the Interior to establish a program assisting afflicted states with efforts designed to control and eradicate harmful, nonnative weeds on public and private land.  The measure authorizes federal funds for states and Indian tribes to carry out various noxious weed control projects.

       “The state of Montana has a good program fighting against this infestation. What they need now is added federal funds and support to carry out that program,” Rehberg said. “That’s the purpose of this legislation.”