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VERMONT INVASIVE and EXOTIC PLANT ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Vermont’s Noxious Weeds Quarantine rule was adopted in 2002, and most recently amended in 2012. The Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets implements the rule under its authority in 6 V.S.A., Chapter 84, and 6 V.S.A., § 1 (a) (10). The rule establishes a Vermont Invasive Exotic Plant Advisory Committee (VIEPAC) to advise the Secretary of the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets on matters related to the addition and deletion of plant species to the noxious weed list.  

The VIEPAC is required to, at least once per year, review and make recommendations for additions to, or deletions from, the noxious weed lists, (Class A and Class B) by conducting pest risk assessments for plant species identified and selected by the committee. At the Secretary’s discretion, the noxious weeds recommended by the committee may be added to either the A or B list of prohibited species, rejected for addition, or sent back to the committee for further evaluation and review.   

Scheduled Meetings 

AGENDA

April 16, 2024  

Location: TBD

 

The advisory committee is responsible for the following:   

  1. Review of the prohibited weed lists (Class A and Class B) annually to make recommendations for listed species additions or deletions.   
  2. Complete and review pest risk assessments  
  3. Ensuring the required conditions are met (as defined in noxious weed rule) for a plant or plant product to be designated as a Class A or B Noxious Weed.  

VIEPAC is 15 members appointed by the Secretary and is comprised of state, and federal agency subject matter experts, university researchers, representatives of nongovernmental organizations and the private sector. Current members represent the following entities:  

  • Agency of Natural Resources  
  • Agency of Transportation  
  • USDA-APHIS-PPQ  
  • USDA-FS-Green Mountain National Forest   
  • USDA-FWS  
  • USDA-NRCS  
  • USDA-NPS  
  • Vermont Nursery and Landscape Association  
  • Vermont Land Trust  
  • Lake Champlain Basin Program  
  • The Nature Conservancy  
  • University of Vermont  
  • Private Sector-Weed Management 

Contact 

Emilie Inoue | Plant Health Supervisor | Emilie.Inoue@vermont.gov | (802)505-0217