Update: Herbicide Application
June 7, 2017
City Council authorized the one-time use of herbicide on City property at the regular meeting of Council held May 23, 2017. When the Pesticide Use Control Bylaw (Bylaw 2093) was drafted and approved in 2010, provisions were included to account for the thoughtful application of herbicide.
The goal of this herbicide application is to promote the development of safe and healthy turf. The current weed-infested turf creates ideal conditions for noxious weeds to thrive and imbedded weed clumps create safety hazards.
This application of herbicide would be aimed at deterring the growth of all weeds and would be done in conjunction with a program of aeration, fertilizer, top dressing, and other best practice turf management procedures.
Some of the areas planned to be sprayed with herbicide already have noxious weed growth present, other areas are at risk of noxious weed growth due to the poor state of the turf related to the significant amount of general (non-noxious) weeds present. By building up turf health, it is expected that ultimately noxious weed growth will be diminished and the safety of field users will be increased.
Bylaw 2093 does not apply to the control of noxious weeds and invasive plants- an exemption from Council is not required to spray these types of weeds. Landowners are required to control the growth of noxious weeds. The Weed Control Act of British Columbia, requires that “In accordance with the regulations, an occupier must control noxious weeds growing or located on land and premises, and on any other property located on land and premises, occupied by that person” (RSBC 1996, CHAPTER 487).
We heard from many citizens regarding their concerns related to the planned use of herbicide last week. We also heard from many people concerned with the quality and safety of turf areas within the City. The application of herbicide was postponed, to ensure that a useful discussion occurred regarding the approach to maintaining turf.
The City of Fernie is committed to maintaining the safety of turf areas and ensuring that noxious weeds are controlled effectively. If the decision is to proceed with herbicide application in the future- a very robust and thorough communication process will occur prior to the work being completed.
Those residents who have concerns or suggestions related to herbicide use, noxious weeds, and turf safety, are encouraged to express those concerns via email to: cityhall@fernie.ca
We value and appreciate constructive feedback regarding City operations.
