Mapping Guidelines- Mineral Co., Montana
"A valuable tool for land resource management"
Why map?
 Mapping may be the single most useful tool for establishing and maintaining a successful noxious weed management plan; as well as any other land resource management plan.  As a landowner, you must know what is on your land if you expect to manage it successfully.  The primary objective of weed mapping is to identify and delineate areas on your property with unwanted plants.  Besides indicating "where" the weeds are, the map should show the infestation size and density; as well as the species of weed present.  Other features identified on the map will provide quick and easy determination of management methods available for specific areas of your property.  Updating the map periodically will enable you to evaluate your present management scheme and plan revisions for the future if necessary.

How much detail?
 Ultimately, your map must be usable by you, the landowner, so determining detail is really up to you.  Not enough detail makes it difficult to evaluate your management plan, identify sensitive areas and ensure effective treatment.  On the other hand, too much detail makes map interpretation difficult and wastes time and resources.  Regardless of the type of map you use, there are certain features which should be included on your weed management map.

1. Water courses (i.e. Rivers, streams, irrigation ditches or lakes)
2. Roads, railroads, trails and/or fences
3. Buildings and structures
4. Property lines and designations
5. Weed infestations (size, species and density)
6. Sensitive or special concern areas
7. Landowner/property name and date

 If you use symbols, color codes or abbreviations on your map, include a legend.  A standardized noxious weed mapping system does exist if you are interested.  Information on this system can be obtained from your local weed district office or extension service office; ask for the MontGuide entitled "Montana Noxious Weed Survey and Mapping System".  You should always make a duplicate of your map to keep for your records; the original should be submitted with your 6 Year IVM Plan.

Where can you obtain a map?
 The type of map you wish to start with will determine where you can obtain a map.  Subdivision or property plat maps are often good starts since they show most of the information requested above.  Topographic maps (1:24 000 scale) work well for large areas and are available from most sporting goods stores.  Aerial photos are obtainable from the USDA-Farm Service Agency office in Missoula and some USDA-Forest Service offices.  Private surveyors can provide very detailed maps using GPS hardware or conventional CAD formats.  The Mineral County Weed District has detailed soil maps, digitized topo maps, well logs and TES animal and plant data for the entire county; all of which is available for public use.

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