Section 03.05.027. Noxious weed, invasive plant, and agricultural pest management and education.

   (a) The commissioner of natural resources shall employ or appoint a state coordinator for noxious weed, invasive plant, and agricultural pest management and education.
   (b) The state coordinator employed or appointed under (a) of this section shall oversee the enforcement of state statutes and regulations regarding noxious weeds, invasive plants, and agricultural pests and shall coordinate with state and federal agencies, state land users, public groups, and private organizations to
        (1) develop, implement, and annually review a comprehensive state strategic plan for the control of noxious weeds, invasive plants, and agricultural pests; the plan must include an early detection and rapid response system for invasive plants consistent with federal guidelines;
        (2) design and execute a geographically based plant and pest management area program;
        (3) develop and maintain a statewide database for mapping and monitoring noxious weeds, invasive plants, and agricultural pests;
        (4) develop integrated plant and pest management programs;
        (5) regulate and control the entry into the state and transportation of seeds, plants, and other horticultural products;
        (6) contact and provide educational materials to state land users and other audiences regarding noxious weed, invasive plant, and agricultural pest issues, including identification, management, potential hazards, and landowner responsibilities;
        (7) accept contributions of service, materials, or equipment, and, subject to appropriation of money from the United States or its agencies, from a department or agency of the state, or from any other source for use in carrying out the purposes of this section; and
        (8) review and make recommendations to state departments and agencies concerning revisions to state regulations and statutes, including revisions and additions to state noxious weed lists.
   (c) Each state department, agency, and institution shall cooperate with the state coordinator employed or appointed under (a) of this section in carrying out the tasks specified in (b) of this section.
   (d) The state coordinator employed or appointed under (a) of this section shall coordinate with the University of Alaska Cooperative Extension Service, the Alaska Association of Conservation Districts' board of directors, and the Department of Fish and Game in fulfilling the coordinator's responsibilities under (b) of this section.

Notes

History

(Sec. 1 ch 102 SLA 2008; am Sec. 1, 3 ch 3 SLA 2011)