By Sara StrongReclaimed prairie and its battle against noxious weeds is still a hot issue for Springwater and Mound townships.In July, Rock County sent notice to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that noxious weeds on Touch the Sky Prairie must be controlled.Touch the Sky is a project that’s returning almost 800 acres to natural prairie.Township official Darrell Hoeck said it’s difficult to enforce weed ordinances with local property owners when the federal government isn’t following the rules.After a meeting last week, the Fish and Wildlife Service said it would present the county a long-term plan for weed control that will cover the next five years.Rock County Weed Inspector Doug Bos said Fish and Wildlife is trying to control the weeds but didn’t get permission to aerial spray, which would make covering the large area much more efficient."Our hope and their plan is that the weeds will be managed," Bos said. "They will be doing some fall spraying, which is what we really pushed for."Instead of just spot spraying, the Fish and Wildlife Service will also blanket spray the worst areas with larger equipment.Bos said spraying after the first hard frost will be effective because native plants are dormant and won’t take in the herbicide, as thistles will.