Display Name Blocked (1234475) assigned this issue to Parks Operations

“Thank you for your message.
The City owns a narrow strip along Resources Road and we are aware of the noxious encroaching on our lands. Our organization follows all federal laws regarding registered products for the control of these weed species. Unfortunately, other than glyphosate, there are no effective herbicides to control many of these weed species in recreational turf grass. Registered products available to us can only suppress top growth, so our approach is to spot spray with glyphosate individual weeds so we don't kill off large swaths of grass. We mow contiguous patches of noxious weeds as a control method. Any prohibited noxious are eradicated regardless of turf damage.
Several Weed Notices have been issued to private land owners adjacent to Resources Road and are awaiting compliance. With the rainy summer spray timing has been difficult for everyone. Likewise mowing these areas has been inadvisable as this would create massive rutting. Hopefully with a drier fall these land owners will be able to comply with the Notices.
Regarding public education on noxious weed: The City distributes leaflets and booklets to several neighbourhoods each spring. These materials have colour photos of the most common noxious and prohibited noxious weeds species as well as control options. these educational media are delivered to new neighbourhoods because new developments are where the worst noxious infestations get started. We also have web pages showing the common noxious weeds in Grande Prairie. http://www.cityofgp.com/index.aspx?page=747
Regarding the City strategies at combating noxious weeds: The City, like all land owners, is obligated under the Weed Control Act of Alberta to control Noxious Weeds and destroy Prohibited Noxious Weeds. We follow an Integrated Pest Management process that includes public education, discussions with land developers, weed inspection and enforcement, and chemical and mechanical control options. The best time to control these weeds is prior to and during the land development process. Once areas are seeded to lawn grass there are few chemical options legally available to land owners and control becomes very difficult. This is the message we communicate to land developers.”