W. Va. Code § 19-12D-2: Declaration of purpose; legislative findings.

The purpose of this article is to provide for the suppression or control of noxious weeds which have proven to be or which scientific evidence indicates may become detrimental factors affecting the public health or economy of the state. The Legislature finds that certain plant species may spread to the extent they become detrimental to agricultural crops, other desirable plants, livestock, waterways, land, public health and/or the general economy and that certain noxious weeds, not yet known to occur in West Virginia, may be inadvertently introduced and that procedures for locating and eliminating such infestations need to be established. Therefore, it is deemed necessary, in the public interest, to provide authority for the surveillance of, suppression and control of noxious weeds.