War on weeds

By Justin Post - 05/15/2008

Mark Wilcox of the city weed department talks with Ed Sukovsky, left, of 2500 Colorado Street about ongoing weed problems in the area.

Butte’s weed law appears to be working.

In April, Mark Wilcox, weed program director, mailed 367 letters to Butte businesses and private property owners in violation of the ordinance, which was created in 1984 but never enforced.

Of those, roughly 125 property owners cut and sprayed their weeds with the city-county’s assistance or through a private contractor.

“They are being good stewards of the land,” Wilcox said, adding that the remaining property owners are still working through the process.

Not everyone has been eager to comply with the non- compliance letter, however.

Wilcox and a summer helper, Montana Tech freshman Nick Moe, have mowed and sprayed 26 properties in which owners refused to comply or ignored the city’s letter.

One property owner even went to Wilcox’s office in the courthouse to express his anger over the city’s weed-control program.

“He told me I had a deprived childhood because I made him mow his grass,” he said.

Others are eager to work with Wilcox and rid their property of knapweed and other noxious weeds.

While clearing a city-owned lot one recent morning, Ed Sukovsky of 2500 Colorado approached Wilcox seeking advice to control his weeds.

Sukovsky said he’s been spraying weeds around his property for roughly 17 years and is happy to see others taking responsibility.

“I think it’s a good idea,” he said. “You drive around town, and you see a lot of lots that don’t look too good.” Wilcox will go onto private property to spray weeds and mow when property owners don’t respond to his letters.

The city-county bills those property owners for labor, material and equipment at a rate of $200 per hour.

The bill must be paid within 30 days after Wilcox completes the work before being levied as a special property tax.

The tab for those who respond and cooperate with Wilcox is significantly less at $45 per hour. Wilcox said he also will provide those property owners who don’t have mowing equipment a list of contractors who can do the work.

Commissioners last year agreed to fund the program through the weed department with an additional roughly $42,000 in the 2008 budget.

This is the first year the program has fallen under the Weed Department’s jurisdiction. It had previously been under public works.

Wilcox anticipates 50 percent of vegetation control costs will be recouped through fines, penalties and other income.

— Reporter Justin Post may be reached via e-mail at justin.post@lee.net.

For more info Want to know more about Butte-Silver Bow’s weed control program? Call Mark Wilcox, program director, at 497-6473.