HomeMy WebLinkAbout1-28 Weed Control,Xneehill
COUNTY
Purpose:
POLICY
Section
Policy No.
Page
ASB
1-28
1 of 2
Policy Title
Date:
Motion No.
Weed Control
Sept 22, 2020
375/2020
To establish a policy pursuant to the Alberta Weed Control Act, being Statutes of Alberta 2008 Chapter W-5.1
and the Alberta Weed Control Regulation (Alberta Regulation 19/2010) as amended, and in accordance with
Bylaw #1619 as amended.
Policy Statement:
Weed Inspection & Enforcement
Kneehill County ASB recognizes the need to control regulated invasive weeds. It is at the discretion of the
County appointed Weed Inspector to determine if in accordance with all statutes and bylaws weed control
action is required. Should control be necessary under the Alberta Weed Control Act, the Inspector shall
contact the owner/occupant of the land to start control procedures.
Private Land Weed Control
Kneehill County ASB will assist where private operators are unable and when and where possible, with
pesticide applications on agricultural production lands, to control all prohibited noxious weeds and small
patches of selected noxious weeds, on a cost recovery basis.
Public Land Weed Control Kneehill County ASB will utilize an integrated weed management approach through
pesticide application, mechanical removal or biological control of weeds that have potential to create adverse
effect on the agricultural industry, infrastructure, and public lands within Kneehill County.
Policy Guidelines:
Weed Inspection & Enforcement
1. Kneehill County, within its operational and fiscal capacity, shall conduct inspections of public and
private lands as may be necessary to determine the presence of Prohibited Noxious and Noxious
weeds.
2. Kneehill County shall appoint such designated "Inspectors" as required under the Alberta Weed
Control Act.
3. The appointed Inspector shall have all the duties, rights and powers conferred by the Alberta Weed
Control Act.
4. The appointed Inspector shall respond where possible and reasonable to weed complaints received by
the County in a timely manner.
5. If Prohibited Noxious or Noxious weeds are found in sufficient quantity, that at the discretion of the
Inspector requires control action, the Inspector shall make reasonable attempt to work with the
owner/occupant in creating a plan for removal, using accepted integrated vegetation management
practices.
6. In cases of non-compliance by the owner/occupant or where Prohibited Noxious weeds are found, a
Weed Notice shall be issued pursuant to the Alberta Weed Control Act.
section
ASB
Policy Title
Weed Control
POLICY
Policy No. Page
1-28 2 of 2
Date: Motion No.
Sept 22, 2020 375/2020
7. Kneehill County Council shall annually appoint an Agricultural Appeal Board to hear and determine
appeals received by the municipality against notices issued by an Inspector under the Alberta Weed
Control Act.
8. Kneehill County may offer weed inspection services to all Urban Municipalities within its boundary.
Private Land Weed Control
1. Weeds designated for control on all lands within Kneehill County are those designated as Prohibited
Noxious and Noxious under the Alberta Weed Control Act.
2. Maximum control area for Noxious weeds will be one hectare (3 acres) in non -cropland and field
edges along cropland.
3. All pesticide applications shall only be carried out after a permission to enter agreement has been
signed by the person in control of the land.
4. All pesticide applications will be done on a cost recovery basis.
5. All private land pesticide applications require approval from the Agriculture Fieldman or designate.
Public Land Weed Control
1. All pesticide applications shall follow all statutes, regulations, guidelines, and the Alberta
Environmental Code of Practices for pesticide application.
2. The ASB will budget for pesticide applicator training, certification and credits as required by Alberta
Environment.
3. Upon approaching a farmstead or residence where buildings and trees are within thirty meters (30m)
of the road allowance, spraying of pesticide will cease thirty meters (30m) prior to the farmstead or
residence, buildings or trees, and resume thirty meters (30m) past said areas.
4. When applying pesticides, a one meter (1m) buffer strip will be left uncontrolled adjacent to any
crops other than grass forage. In this instance a fence line pesticide application may be made
available to the adjacent land manager or landowner free of charge.
5. All pesticide applications will be properly documented and filed as per the "Alberta Environmental
Codes of Practice" requirements.
*This Policy replaces policies 1-28-1, 1-28-2
Jerr ittstock,
Reeve
Approved: Sept 22, 2020 375/2020
Review Date: September 22, 2024
J&L -
Mike Haugen,
CAO