This letter is a follow-up on the no spray policy in Montezuma County.

On Monday, June 20 I met with Bonnie Loving, the weed office manager, and the county commissioners regarding the county’s no spray policy. At issue was the fact the county no longer honored property owners’ homemade no spray signs, but few people were aware of the change in practice.

I requested of Bonnie and the commissioners:

That the county respect homemade no spray signs immediately. That the county should revisit the application wording to make it less threatening and more cooperative, and to remove the application deadline of April 15th. That the county conduct a broad public service announcement (PSA) campaign so people know about the change in policy, including information about how to manage noxious weeds without poison. That a no spray sign means no spray anything, not just herbicide.That the driver of the herbicide spray truck be educated on the proper conditions for application to address wind drift and unnecessary spraying. That the commissioners and the weed office, who have a say in determining solutions to local environmental issues, look first to proven non-toxic methods. We came to an agreement that the county has to respect homemade no spray signs for 45 days while they get the word out about the policy. They also agreed to the second item above, removing the deadline and removing wording that had absolved the county of any liability.

I’ll be working with Bonnie to reach as many people as possible. It’s a good start. As for the other requests, well, we got the ball rolling.

So make your signs very visible, know and manage your roadside weeds and download your no spray sign application at http://montezumacounty.org/web/departments/weeds/ Or you can call (970) 565-0580.

Laurie Hall

Mancos