Lanark County is working with a property owners’ association on a trial program along a section of road to reduce noxious weeds, such as wild parsnip, without the use of pesticides.
The Little Silver and Rainbow Lakes Property Owners Association (LSRLPOA) is the first Lanark County Adopt-a-Road Noxious Weed trial participant.
Terry McCann, the county’s public works director, explained the association’s executive wanted to investigate alternatives to the use of pesticide spray for noxious weed control on roadsides of County Road 36, which transects the watershed of Little Silver and Rainbow Lakes.
“This trial program is similar to the Adopt-a-Road program, which sees community groups enter into an agreement with the county to help keep sections of roads attractive and clear of litter.”
The noxious weed proposal consists of a number of trial plot areas (each 50 to 100 metres long) where the association will commit to alternative methods of noxious weed control. The results will be monitored and the county will use the trial to assist in determining if it is viable for other associations to get involved in noxious weed control on Lanark County roadsides.
The trial methods include accelerated mowing, digging/pulling wild parsnip, and doing nothing. Spraying will not occur in those areas.
“The two groups are collaborating on this trial and will share the results,” Mr. McCann said, noting both parties have indicated they “welcome this constructive and cooperative approach, and look forward to taking part in an important trial of alternative methods for weed control.”
Other groups interested in the program are invited to contact the county for future consideration. An agreement must be put in place and locations are subject to approval.
More information about noxious weeds and weed spraying can be found on the county website at http://www.lanarkcounty.ca/Page1875.aspx.
For more information, contact:
Terry McCann
Director of Public Works
Lanark County
1-888-9-LANARK, ext. 3190
