All hay, hay cubes, straw, grain, and other crop or mulch products brought on to BLM lands in Oregon and Washington must be certified "weed free" using North American Weed Management Association (NAWMA) standards, or better, regardless of how they are used (livestock feed, bedding, erosion control, mulch, etc.).

Forage and mulch products sometimes contain seed or reproductive parts from non-native, invasive and noxious weeds. Resulting weed populations degrade the health of native ecosystems. Wildlife habitat, soil and water quality, rangeland, economic values and beauty of the land decline as a result. BLM lands are among the areas most vulnerable to impacts from weeds and are also, in general, where prevention of infestation is most likely to succeed. A rule requiring the use of certified weed free feed and other crop products is one of the effective tools for minimizing the spread of invasive plants.

Weed-free hay or crop products have been inspected according to standards used by the North American Weed Management Association (NAWMA) and member states. Under NAWMA standards, fields are inspected to ensure the absence of seed and reproductive parts from listed invasive weed species. Fields which pass the inspection are state certified and the producer may then officially label the products as a weed-free hay or crop product. In a like sense, state certified weed-free mulch comes from fields that pass inspection and are then state certified and labeled for use in restoration and re-vegetation projects.

The supplemental rule requires use of hay, hay cubes, straw, grain or other crop or mulch products that are certified as weed-free. Commercially processed feed pellets or steamed, rolled grains are also allowed under this order. They are considered weed-free feed and need not be state certified (see additional information about commercially processed feed below).

The State of Oregon Department of Agriculture has established their certification program and growers have participated around the state. More growers will join the program as the demand for product increases. For a list of providers in Oregon, please see: http://oregon.gov/ODA/CID/weed_free_forage.shtml or call 503-986-4620.

In addition, Wallowa County has had a certification program for weed-free hay and crop products that is sanctioned by Oregon and North American Weed Management Association. Please contact the Wallowa County Extension Office at 541-426-3143.

The Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board, in cooperation with county weed boards, manages the inspection and certification program in Washington. It is referred to as the Washington Wilderness Hay and Mulch (WWHAM) program and is approved by NAWMA. For information and a list of providers in Washington, please see: http://www.nwcb.wa.gov/index.htm or call 360-902-2053.

While hay and similar crop products are most often associated with livestock feeding, they are also used as mulch for erosion control, bedding, and other uses. The closure requires that all hay, hay cubes, straw, grain or other crop or mulch products, regardless of how they are used, be state certified as weed-free, when used or stored on BLM managed lands.

Feed pellets are made by finely grinding the ingredients, heat treating, and then compressing into pellets. This process kills a very high percentage of viable seed that may be in the source ingredients. Similarly, steaming and rolling grains kills most viable seeds that may be present, including those of invasive, noxious weeds. While commercial processing feed may not in all cases eliminate all weed seed, feed pellets and steamed rolled grains are considered a reasonable option for preventing invasive and noxious weed spread.

Yes. Some states, including Colorado, have developed a process and a market for the development of state certified hay cubes. These cubes are made from state certified hay that is traceable back to the field of origin where the inspection occurred. State certified hay cubes are sold in bags which have sewn-in tags, designating the cubes as state certified. If no tag exists on the bag, hay cubes cannot be considered state certified.

Note: Oregon and Washington currently do not have a process for certifying hay cubes, but Oregon may have a process in place soon.

No. Certification is simply the most feasible way to minimize the risk of viable invasive and noxious weed seed being transported within hay or crop products. When fields are inspected, they are inspected for invasive and noxious weeds which presently contain, or could within the next ten days produce, viable seed. Weed leaves and stems may occur in state certified products, but the intent is to minimize the risk of seed or reproductive parts transport.

No. As long as hay or crop products are not unloaded or otherwise used on BLM managed lands, the rule does not apply.

Currently, there are requirements for the general public visiting National Forest System lands and Grasslands in Oregon and Washington to use only certified weed free feed, hay and straw. Only processed feed pellets are permitted in the National Parks in Oregon and Washington. No other feed types are permitted; including rolled or steamed grain, loose hay or hay cubes. Oregon and Washington State Parks do not require certified weed-free feed at their horse camps and trailheads.

Yes, public lands under Section 303(a) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1733(a)) and 43 CFR 8360-7, any person who violates any of these supplementary rules may be tried before a United States Magistrate Judge and fined no more than $1,000 or imprisoned for no more than 12 months or both. Such violations may also be subject to the enhanced fines provided for by 18 U.S.C. 3571.

In addition, any person who violates any of these supplementary rules on public lands in grazing districts (see 43 U.S.C. 315a) or public lands leased for grazing under 43 U.S.C. 315m, may be tried before a United States Magistrate Judge, and fined no more than $500. Such violations may also be subject to the enhanced fines provided for by 18 U.S.C. 3571. Any person who violates any of these supplementary rules on public lands subject to a conservation and rehabilitation program implemented by the Secretary of the Interior under 16 U.S.C. 670g et seq. (Sikes Act), may be tried before a United States Magistrate Judge, and fined no more than $500 or imprisoned for no more than six months or both. Such violations may also be subject to the enhanced fines provided for by 18 U.S.C. 3571.

No. Many adjacent states (Idaho, California, Nevada, Montana, et al.) have acceptable certification programs with similar weed lists and certification standards. Refer to the North American Weed Management Association web site for a full list of participating states.

Products certified in any of these states, and bearing the appropriate official labeling or twine, qualify as certified forage or straw products under this supplementary rule. It is important to note that California also has a Weed Free Forage Program that is acceptable under this rule, but is not a member of NAWMA. California products that have been inspected, but that do not have appropriate tags, twine, or certificates indicating the certification are not acceptable under this rule. No hay or crop products coming from any states without a certification program meeting or exceeding NAWMA standards can be used on BLM managed lands in Oregon & Washington.

Hay or straw is inspected in the field of origin by trained, certified inspectors. Inspectors check the fields of hay and straw growers within ten days prior to harvest. Standing crops found to be free of listed noxious weed seed are then harvested and marked with the legal certification labeling of the state or county. Examples of certification labels include:

• Oregon—white tags, purple and yellow twine, transit certificates
• Washington—white tags, purple and yellow twine, transit certificates
• Idaho—white tags, purple and yellow twine
• Montana—red tags, blue and orange twine, blaze orange label on bags
• California—colored twine and tags, product certificate, transit certificates
• Colorado—blue and orange twine
• Wyoming—blaze orange tags, purple and yellow twine

The fields are inspected for the presence of seed or reproductive parts of weeds from the NAWMA list, plus any additional weeds identified by the respective state.

The cost of certified hay or straw products can be somewhat higher and the price will likely vary with location and availability.

The following websites and contacts may provide information on weed free forage. Your local feed dealer or State Extension Service office may also be able to provide you with information.

• Oregon Dept. of Agriculture Commodity Inspection Division, 503-986-4620
• Wallowa County Extension Service, Enterprise, Oregon, 541-426-3143
• Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board, 360-902-2053
• Idaho State Dept. of Agriculture, 208-332-8592
• Montana Dept. of Agriculture, 406 444-7819
• Nevada Dept. of Agriculture, 775-353-3773
• Colorado Dept. of Argiculture, 303-239-4149

For more information on the national weed-free certification program and standards, please contact the North American Weed Management Association at 970-887-1228.

If your state has a program, the websites and phone numbers above may be used to learn how to become a participant in the program.

Feeding animals exclusively with commercially processed feed pellets, steamed rolled grains, or certified hay one or more days before your trip will help you be sure your stock can eat these products; it will also help prevent transport of weed seed in stock manure. You can also help by making sure your vehicles, trailers, boots, and your animal's coat and feet (both stock and dogs) are cleaned of weed seeds prior to your trip. Finally, keeping vehicles on roads and in designated parking areas also helps minimize the spread of weeds.