Download the Special Use Permit Application.
The Indiana Seed Law (IC 15-15-1) has given the Office of Indiana State Chemist & Seed Commissioner the authority to issue a “special use permit” to persons to use a prohibited noxious weed species or a restricted noxious weed species for the purposes of research, development, production, or education.
The first Indiana Seed Law approved and enacted on February 24, 1921 established a list of 19 “noxious weeds” that were determined “to be noxious and a menace to the best interests of agriculture in Indiana”. As a means of control of these identified species, the Law placed restrictions on the presence of these species when found in seed sold for seeding purposes in the state. As the Law has evolved over the years, the list of noxious weed species has been refined and placed in the Indiana Administrative Code.
This permit must be obtained before the transport of seed into Indiana.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETION OF THE PERMIT APPLICATION:
In determining whether to issue a special use permit, the seed commissioner shall consider each species of noxious weed separately on submitted individual applications.
The application must provide basic information about the specific use of the species selected and specific information relating to the source of seed for the intended project. Emphasis should be placed on the location of production fields, acres to be planted, source of seed to be used and amount, seeding rate and proposed planting dates.
A control plan must be submitted to the seed commissioner to describe the methods used to prevent contamination and/or movement of the species to adjoining land and eradication of the species in existing fields once the project is completed.
It is important to identify sensitive areas close to production fields that may be impacted by the intended species if contamination of areas is likely or the potential for movement of the species is high. Those areas should be identified by location, current use, and proximity to production fields.
There is no permit fee established for this process. The Seed Commissioner shall respond to the applicant within 30 days of receipt of the application with the decision to issue or deny the permit request.
Completed permit applications should be submitted to:
Jessica McVay
Seed Administrator
Office of Indiana State Chemist & Seed Commissioner
175 S. University Street, Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2063