Noxious and invasive species cause millions of dollars in damage and control costs each year.  An invasive species is a typically a species which is not native to a given location and as such lacks natural predators thereby outcompeting local, native species for nutrients, light, water, or food.  A noxious weed/pest is an invasive species that is so aggressive that it harms the local ecosystem or causes a disruption of agricultural productions.  The Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board aggressively fights to the control the spread of noxious weeds in Spokane and Stevens counties.