The purpose of the monitor list is to gather more information on suspect weeds as well as monitor for occurrence or spread. Information collected may be used to justify future inclusion on the state noxious weed list. There is no regulatory aspect to this list. Reasons for plant inclusion on the monitor list include:

(1) There is reason to believe the species is invasive or poses a potential threat to Washington.

(2) Additional information is needed on distribution, abundance, or biology.

(3) The species was once present in Washington and on the state noxious weed list. It is now being monitored for reoccurrence.

(4) There is need to verify existence (site investigation), verify identification, and/or obtain voucher specimen.

(5) It exists in an adjacent state or province or occurs on an adjacent state or province's noxious weed list and is not known to occur in Washington.

Native species of Washington will not be included on the monitor list. Each weed included on the monitor list will be included by vote of the noxious weed committee. A sponsor is required in order to place a weed on the monitor list. The current monitor list is kept in the state noxious weed board office.

A sponsor will be point of contact for their monitor species. A sponsor will house the data and information collected. A sponsor will make available information for their species to the WSNWCB.