Sponsor: Parks & Recreation
Title
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Appointment of County Agricultural Inspector
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Recommendation
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Appoint Justin Townsend as the County Agricultural Inspector.
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Background and Rationale
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Minnesota Statutes 18.81 requires the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners to appoint a County Agricultural Inspector (CAI). Enforcement of the noxious weed law is the responsibility of county and municipal governments. The CAI position was established in 1929 to provide leadership and supervision in the enforcement of the noxious weed law. State statute does not designate a term limit for this appointment.
The primary responsibilities of the County Agricultural Inspector are to:
• Regulate and enforce the Minnesota Noxious Weed Law.
• Assist the Minnesota Department of Agriculture with laws regarding seeds, feeds, fertilizers, pesticides and plant pests.
• Invasive species management and control, including biological noxious weed control programs for purple loose strife, spotted knapweed and other identified pests.
• Technical approval of land management agreements promoting soil health, such as cover crops.
Justin Townsend is an Environmental Resources Specialist with the Parks and Recreation department and for the past four years he has been the primary contact for all noxious weed questions. He has seven years of experience coordinating the Ramsey County Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA), which is a partnership with public and private organizations to control invasive species, such as spotted knapweed. As CWMA coordinator, he has been the primary contact for several biological control agents around the county and works closely with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture on new biocontrol’s and past releases. He is currently listed on the Minnesota Department of Agriculture website as the assistant County Agricultural Inspector. <https://www.mda.state.mn.us/plants/pestmanagement/weedcontrol/cailist>
The last formal appointment for a County Agricultural Inspector was on January 8, 1973 for a period of nine months, but this duty had been previously performed by a recently retired Public Works employee, as posted on the Minnesota Department of Agriculture website.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☒ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
Climate change continues to impact the health and well-being of Ramsey County residents with more severe impact on racially and ethnically diverse and socioeconomically disadvantaged communities. As mentioned above, the duties of the County Agricultural Inspector ultimately help to mitigate climate change as well as counter environmental disparate impacts that can occur when poor land management practices remain in place.
Community Participation Level and Impact
No community engagement was involved in this request for board action.
☒ Inform ☐ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact associated with this request. The duties are already assigned to a budgeted position with the Soil & Water Conservation division of Parks & Recreation department.
Last Previous Action
On January 8, 1973, Paul G Comstock was appointed Ramsey County Agricultural Inspector for a period of nine months (Resolution 9-1529).
Attachments
None.