48-309. Quarantine; eradication of weeds; lien; enforcement

A. The board of directors may declare and enforce a quarantine against any premises within the boundaries of the district upon which noxious weeds, shrubs, vines or grasses are found to exist, and to order that no article or product of any kind capable of carrying or transmitting the seed of the weed, shrub, vine or grass growing on the land be removed therefrom during the period of the quarantine.

B. Notice of the quarantine shall be served upon the owner, lessee, tenant or person in charge of the premises in the same manner as a summons issued from the superior court.

C. If the owner, lessee, tenant or person in charge of any infected land fails to take adequate steps to eradicate the noxious weeds, shrubs, vines or grasses complained of, or having commenced work, neglects, fails or refuses diligently to prosecute the work to successful termination as provided in this article, the board of directors may order and direct the inspector to enter upon the premises and remove and eradicate therefrom the noxious weeds, shrubs, vines or grasses. The entry shall be made by the inspector without further notice to the owner, lessee, tenant or person in charge.

D. The cost and expense of removing and eradicating noxious weeds, shrubs, vines or grasses from such premises is declared a lien upon the premises prior to other liens or obligations except liens for taxes. The board of directors shall foreclose the lien by appropriate action in the superior court of the county wherein the district is situated.