Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, May 21, 2003
Page 7
ODA striving to stop spread of nasty weeds
Early detection and rapid
response.
That’s the desired formula
for the Oregon Dept. of Agri-
culture’s (ODA) Weed Con-
trol Program. The growing
season is under way through-
out the state, and it’s not just
crops springing up from the
ground.
Noxious weeds -- undesir-
able invaders that often out-
compete native plant species -
- are ready to pop up at many
un ann ou nc ed lo cation s.
ODA’s team of experts is be-
ginning to look for new infes-
tations and welcomes help
from the public.
“Obviously, a lot of weeds
are starting to grow and will
be flowering soon,” said Tim
Butler, manager of ODA’s
Weed Control Program. “So
this is a good time of the year
for individuals to be aware of
Oregon’s invasive weed prob-
lem, and be looking for these
problems around the state.”
On the whole, Oregon
appears to be in much better
shape in the battle against
noxious weeds than many
other states. ODA’s program
is internationally known for its
success in biological control
and active efforts to keep
weed problems manageable.
ODA not only helps to
coordinate local weed control
efforts, but conducts many of
the on-the-ground activities
itself for targeted weeds.
Still, the state seems be-
sieged by a number of new
plant invaders in recent years.
Most of them have exotic or
colorful names. But each
poses both an environmental
and economic threat to Ore-
gon. One of the best ways to
win the battle against weeds is
by finding them early.
The most publicized suc-
cess story deals with tansy
ragwort, which remains the
poster child for ODA’s suc-
cessful bio-control of noxious
weeds. At one time, tansy cost
the state $4 million annually
from livestock that had con-
sumed the poisonous weed
and died.
The plant still exists in
Oregon, but at populations
small enough to avoid the
damage caused in the past.
Three decades of control ef-
forts have greatly improved
the situation.
West of the Cascades, it is
estimated that reduction of
tansy ragwort has saved more
than $5 million each year in
cattle losses since 1986. ODA
estimates a 15-1 benefit-cost
ratio for the tansy bio-control
program, meaning that for
every dollar spent on the pro-
gram, there has been a return
of $15 in economic benefit.
There has also been suc-
cess in controlling distaff this-
tle in Douglas and Josephine
counties -- 98 percent control
over 15 years of intensive
control efforts -- plus good
bio-control results in the fight
against purple loosestrife in
Western and Eastern Oregon.
A more recent case of suc-
cessful weed control is the
discovery of kudzu in 2000.
Three small and separate sites
of the ivy-like weed were de-
tected in the Portland metro-
politan area. Each was treated
soon after discovery, and it
appears that the spread of
kudzu has been held in check.
Kudzu, an aggressive
weed that has caused major
problems in the southeastern
United States., had never been
found west of Texas until
three years ago.
ODA agronomist Glenn
Miller was driving back from
conducting a survey for an-
other noxious weed when he
happened to notice the un-
usual viny plant along a hill-
side south of Canby on Hwy.
99E.
Even though no one sus-
pected kudzu would be found
in Oregon, Miller alertly iden-
tified the weed. Eradication
efforts were soon under way
along with a focused search
for other kudzu infestations.
Two small residential sites
in southwest Portland were
also discovered and treated.
No new detections have been
made since. But now that offi-
cials know kudzu can survive
in Oregon, they are on con-
stant lookout for new sites.
“A lot of these new weeds
show up on road shoulders
just from vehicle traffic,” said
Butler. “Motor vehicles are
major vectors for moving
weeds around.”
From that standpoint, the
public may be able to notice
new infestations on noxious
weeds, if they know what they
are looking at.
Many times, it can be a
case of mistaken identity.
ODA has been alerted by
the public of giant hogweed
infestations, but there have
been look alike plants as well.
If the mystery plant can’t be
easily identified but still
seems to be a weed of con-
cern, ODA can help online at
<http://oda.state.or.us/Plant/
weed_control/index.html> or
through a hotline at (866)
INVADER.
What officials want to
avoid is allowing some of the
newer species in Oregon to
gain a toehold. The active de-
tection efforts and weed sur-
veys can help identify the new
invaders in time for control
programs to be effective.
State economists miss budget mark again
By MEDFORD
MAIL TRIBUNE
A new revenue forecast
showing another $665.9 mil-
lion drop in state tax collec-
tions from the March forecast
sent shock waves through the
state Capitol on Thursday,
May 15.
State economists unveiled
the new numbers during a
joint meeting of the House
and Senate revenue commit-
tees. It was the ninth consecu-
tive time state economists
have missed the mark in esti-
mating tax revenues, a source
of frustration to many law-
makers.
"My diagnosis? It’s just
nuts," said Rep. Alan Bates
(D-Ashland) and the Legisla-
ture’s only physician.
"It’s a shame we can’t get
more accurate information
from our economists," added
Rep. Dennis Richardson (R-
Central Point).
The new numbers -- with
total general fund resources
for the coming 2003-05 bien-
nium of $10.3 billion -- offer
some new scenarios to cope
with the shortfall:
*A beer and wine tax,
elimination of some tax cred-
its and tapping into one-time
revenue sources such as gov-
ernment agency reserves, a
reduction in fees paid to lot-
tery vendors and further cuts
in state budgets.
*Approve a one-year
spending plan, then come
back in January 2004 to com-
plete the biennial budget. Sen.
Lenn Hannon (R-Ashland),
said that idea "is starting to
appeal to a lot more people."
New taxes are not likely,
according to Gov. Ted Kulon-
goski, who flatly said he will
not support a general tax in-
crease. "It will be up to the
people in this building to fix
the problem, not taxpayers,"
he said.
The governor, just back
from a trade mission to Japan,
also said that he and legisla-
tive leaders are working out
what it will take to ensure a
full school year for schools
and reduce class sizes.
Hannon, who was in the
Legislature in 1981 when the
economy collapsed, said that
people at the Capitol don’t
seem to understand the gravity
of the situation.
"In 1981-83, revenues had
dropped 7 percent. In 2001-03
they’re down 14 percent," he
said.
"It’s like riding a bobsled
downhill without any brakes,"
he added.
The next revenue forecast
will come out in September.
IVHS School Menu -
Sponsored by
SISKIYOU
COMMUNITY
HEALTH
CENTER
319 Caves Hwy.
592-4111
THURSDAY, MAY 22
*Cheeseburger, chicken
sandwich, hamburger,
turkey & cheese sub, ham
& cheese sub, Chef salad,
Mandarin chicken salad,
vegetarian pizza,
pepperoni pizza, nachos,
spaghetti & breadsticks
FRIDAY, MAY 23
*Chicken sandwich,
cheeseburger, hamburger,
turkey & cheese sub, roast
beef sub, Chef salad, Man-
darin chicken salad, Ha-
waiian pizza, pepperoni
pizza, beef tacos, hot dog
& fries
MONDAY, MAY 26
*No classes
TUESDAY, MAY 27
*Chicken sandwich,
cheeseburger, hamburger,
turkey & cheese sub, roast
beef sub, Chef salad,
Mandarin chicken salad,
sausage pizza, supreme
pizza, beef & bean burrito,
rib-b-que, potato wedge
WEDNESDAY, MAY 28
*Cheeseburger, chicken
sandwich, hamburger,
turkey & cheese sub,
veggie sub, Chef salad,
Mandarin chicken salad,
cheese pizza, pepperoni
pizza, taco salad, chicken
nuggets
TWO TANGLED TRUCKS- A couple of trucks, one carrying a tractor, collided and blocked traf-
fic on the southbound side of the 23000 block of Redwood Hwy. near Sauers Flat at 12:46 p.m.
Wednesday, May 14. An ambulance transported Joseph Jessome of Selma from the scene to
Three Rivers Community Hospital in Grants Pass.
(Photo by Steve Fairchild)
Oregon agriculture production on the rise
The value of Oregon agri-
cultural and fisheries produc-
tion increased three percent in
2002 and has reached 3.6 bil-
lion, according to preliminary
numbers released by the Ore-
gon Agricultural Statistics
Service.
While there are some no-
table exceptions, a majority of
the state’s agricultural com-
modities showed modest in-
creases in value last year.
“It is always encouraging
to see the numbers go up even
though we recognize that
many producers in Oregon are
still facing difficult times fi-
nancially,” said Katy Coba,
director of the Oregon Dept.
of Agriculture (ODA).
If preliminary statistics for
2002 hold up as the numbers
are finalized, it would match
Oregon’s previous record high
value of production set in
1997.
The top 10 list of Oregon
agricultural commodities for
2002 include: Greenhouse and
nursery products, $714 mil-
lion; cattle and calves, $473
million; hay, $357 million;
grass seed, $277 million;
Christmas trees, $160 million;
wheat, $135 million; potatoes,
$134 million; onions, $80 mil-
lion; pears, $68 million.
The greenhouse and nurs-
ery industry had another
strong year in 2002, becoming
the first Oregon agriculture
commodity to eclipse the $700
million mark, based on pre-
liminary statistics.
The four percent ($34 mil-
lion) continues a long trend of
steady growth. Only twice in
the past 17 years has the value
of agriculture production
dropped from the year before.
Illinois Valley Family Coalition would like to thank all the
families and individuals who attended and enjoyed the
Culpepper & Merriweather Circus on Thursday, May 15.
We also would like to thank businesses and individuals who
purchased and donated children’s tickets to make it possible
for so many children to attend. Finally, we want to thank the
following individuals, businesses and organizations for their kind
generosity and assistance in making this a great community event,
which truly represents the goals that the Coalition strives to accomplish.
Thank You, Thank You.
Home Valley Bank
Three Rivers School District
‘Illinois Valley News’
Illinois Valley High School
Lorna Byrne Middle School
Illinois Valley Lions Club
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
To: Friends of Jim Brown,
Thank you for your thoughtful support,
prayers, and acts of kindness for Jim
and his family.
Love,
Pat Brown,
Beau Brown,
Karyn and Roy Elias
Wendy and Steve Zabriskie
Louise Brown
Ruth Samuel
Grandchildren:
Christopher Zabriskie
Alexa Zabriskie
Jasmine Elias
Jordan Getty
Judith Zulliger
City of Cave Junction
Illinois Valley Head Start
Illinois Valley Pool
Evergreen Elementary School
Illinois Valley Senior Center
Alyce Kendall, True Ringleader