The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) reminds Kansans that March and April are a time when large areas of the state's Flint Hills rangeland are burned. These burns help preserve the tallgrass prairie by controlling invasive species. Smoke from the burns can influence the air quality of downwind areas. The use of smoke management techniques is vital to reduce impacts. For more information about the burning in the Flint Hills, the Flint Hills Smoke Management Plan, the April burn restrictions, and the smoke modeling tool. Click here

Johnson County has more than 15,300 acres of noxious weeds, according to Jim Hoge who has been Johnson County government’s “weed guy” since 2005.

He is the noxious weed director at the Johnson County Department of Public Works campus in west Olathe. His job is to administer and enforce the Kansas Noxious Weed Law by helping to eradicate or control noxious weeds in Johnson County.

That means Hoge knows noxious weeds, and more importantly, how to get rid of them on public or private land, including farms with large acreage and residential property with far more smaller plots.

“Noxious weeds can grow anywhere. People can get musk thistle and Johnsongrass in their lawn,” he said.

In his 2019 Annual Noxious Weed Eradication Progress Report, Hoge estimates Johnson County has approximately 15,333 acres of noxious weeds, a decrease of 2.5% from 2018. The infestations involve four of the 12 noxious weeds now identified by the state of Kansas. The state began identifying and eradicating certain prevalent noxious weeds under a law first enacted in 1937.

Musk thistle remains the main noxious weed in Johnson County, infesting an estimated 6,500 acres, followed by johnsongrass with almost 5,600 acres. The other two noxious weeds are sericea lespedeza, involving approximately 3,000-plus acres, and field bindweed with only about 200 acres.

Noxious weeds are found on public-owned land, such as right-of-ways of roadways and state, county and city parks. The vast majority of the infested acreage remains in private ownership of ranchers, farmers and landowners, mostly in the western and southern sections of the county.

Efforts to eradicate or control weeds usually begin in early-to-mid-spring before the growing season of the noxious plants and last until late October to inhibit seeding from the weedy pests.

In its ongoing efforts to control and eradicate noxious weeds, the office offers several types of herbicides at discounted costs. The chemicals are available to Johnson County residents only to treat the four species of noxious weeds in the county.

“We do not sell herbicides to control vegetation in gravel driveways, patios, fence lines, etc.,” Hoge said.

As a service to property owners, the office provides rental sprayers to apply herbicides to eradicate noxious weeds.

Hoge also is available to answer “anything from horticulture to agriculture” regarding weeds, noxious or not, and to ensure weed control efforts, such as spraying, will be done safely and correctly.

The Noxious Weed Office is open from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. It’s best to call first at 913-715-8358 for purchasing herbicides, renting spraying equipment or meeting the noxious weed director.

The Department of Public Works campus is located at 1800 West Old Highway 56.

Following a successful six-month pilot project, the use of two classifications of electric bicycles has been approved for use on all JCPRD paved trails, effective immediately.

During its Feb. 19 regular monthly meeting, the Johnson County Board of Park & Recreation Commissioners voted to approve a variance of JCPRD’s Code of Regulations relating to using a motorized conveyance on all JCPRD paved trails.

Approved for use on trails are e-bikes in Class 1, which can reach speeds up to 20 miles per hour, and Class 3, which can reach speeds of up to 28 miles per hour. Both classes are considered “pedal-assist,” meaning that the rider propels the bike normally, while a motor aids in powering the rear wheel.

Not allowed are e-bikes in Class 2, which are throttle-operated and do not require any additional pedaling by the rider. Other vehicles such as motorized scooters and Segways are also still prohibited on JCPRD trails.

JCPRD’s e-bike pilot program ran from July 15 of last year through Jan. 15. Throughout this period, a survey was posted on JCPRD.com, comments were received via email, and two demonstration days were planned, although one was rained out. During the demonstration event that took place, participants could ride e-bikes and were encouraged to complete a pre- and post-ride survey. During the pilot program, a total of 17 email comments were received, and included 14 in favor and three against e-bikes. The online survey was completed by 27 individuals with 81 percent in favor, 11 percent against, and 7 percent unsure.

Based on these results, and the fact that other cities in the area, including Olathe, already allow these two classes of e-bikes, JCPRD staff recommended allowing the two classes of e-bikes on paved trails.