Noxious and Invasive Weed Program

The MDA Noxious & Invasive Weed Program assists local governments and landowners with resources for managing noxious and invasive weeds throughout Minnesota. Strong partnerships exist between the MDA and County and local government partners to enforce the Minnesota Noxious Weed Law.  The Noxious & Invasive Weed Program’s primary responsibilities are:

1. Overseeing the Minnesota Noxious Weed Statutes and listing of noxious weed species.
2. Assisting counties and townships with noxious weed management and education.
3. Conducting annual surveys and risk assessments of newly identified invasive weed species.
4. Overseeing the efforts of the Noxious Weed Advisory Committee.
5. Establishing and evaluating biological control for terrestrial weed species.
6. Providing education, training, and outreach for professional and private land managers.

The Noxious & Invasive Weed Program has active biological control programs for leafy spurge and spotted knapweed. These programs are cooperator-based and depend on the commitment of local entities to monitor for weed infestations, request biological control agents for releases in their area, and monitor sites following releases to determine establishment of agents and biological control success. In addition to active biological control programs, the Noxious & Invasive Weed Unit is currently researching the potential for developing a biological control program for common tansy, an invasive weed of upland terrestrial landscapes. This project is an international effort driven by a consortium of US and Canadian agencies and organizations. This work is in the initial stage and will require a significant partnership among the U.S. and Canadian parties to secure resources for overseas exploration and host-specificity testing of potential biological control agents.

FAQs about Noxious & Invasive Weeds

Noxious Weed Law

For a list and identification of noxious weeds in Minnesota

Terrestrial Invasive Plant Early Detection Program

County Agricultural Inspectors & Designated Employees

Enforcement Forms

• County Noxious Weed Inspection Report (PDF: 153 KB / 1 page) 
• Inspector's Notice #1 - Individual Notice to Control or Eradicate Noxious Weeds (PDF: 281 KB / 1 page) 
• Inspector's Notice #2 - Individual Authorization to Control or Eradicate Noxious Weeds (PDF: 169 KB / 1 page) 
• Inspector's Notice #3 - Individual Authorization to Control or Eradicate Noxious Weeds (PDF: 384 KB / 1 page) 
• Decision on the Appeal of Individual Notice to Control or Eradicate Noxious Weeds (PDF: 253 KB / 1 page) 
• Permit to Transport Noxious Weed Infested Material or Equipment (PDF: 163 KB / 1 page)
• Cooperative Weed Control Agreement (PDF: 140 KB / 1 page)