What is a Noxious Weed?

Definition of a Common/Nuisance Weed:

Any plant which is seen as bothersome and is ordinarily found throughout the state. Common weeds have varying levels of negative impact and are normally not particularly invasive or difficult to control. These plants are not regulated by the state.

Definition of a Noxious Weed:

The Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) defines a noxious weed as "any species of plant which is, or likely to be, detrimental or destructive and difficult to control or eradicate." Per NRS 555.130 "The State Quarantine Officier may declare by regulation the weeds of the state that are noxious weeds, but a weed must not be designated as noxious which is already introduced and established in the State to such an extent as to make its control or eradication impracticable in the judgment of the State Quarantine Officer." All noxious weeds are regulated by the Nevada Department of Agriculture.

• List of Designated Noxious Weeds in NAC 555.010
• Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 555

Listing of a Noxious Weed

Any change in the Nevada Noxious Weed List in NAC requires an administrative regulation change. The steps for an administrative regulation change can be found in the Administrative Rulemaking Procedural Guidelines document linked below. A simplified description of these steps includes the following:

1. An official request for list change must be submitted to the NDA with written documentation describing the need and reasons for the change and additional supporting evidence for such change.
   * Once all documentation has been received, it is at the discretion of the Nevada Noxious Weeds Coordinator/State Quarantine Officer for the initial request to continue through the administrative regulation change procedures.
2. The State Noxious Weed Coordinator must present all information for the proposed administrative regulation change to the Nevada Board of Agriculture for approval.
3. Once approved by the Board of Agriculture the proposed administrative regulation change must go to workshop and hearing.
4. After workshop and hearing a motion must be made and favored again by the Board of Agriculture to continue to Legislative Council Bureau and/or subcommittee for approval.
5. Once approved at the legislative level the change will be enacted.