Vegetation Management
Big Lakes County controls vegetation along roadsides, rights-of-way and within County hamlets.
Vegetation control in Big Lakes County is achieved through various methods, including mowing, brushing, herbicide application, and collaboration with the public. The County is responsible for managing vegetation and addressing concerns related to visibility, aesthetics, and compliance with the Alberta Weed Control Act.
Big Lakes County utilizes and encourages landowners to use an Integrated Pest Management system during all vegetation management. This involves:
- Monitoring– Tracking infestations using GPS and inspections
- Cultural Control– Sanitation, roadside seeding, and biological control
- Mechanical Control– Mowing, pruning, and brushing
- Chemical Control– Herbicide Application
Vegetation Management Programs
Spray Exemption Program
Ratepayers wishing to opt out of the Big Lakes County Roadside Spraying Program may do so through our Spray Exemption Program enrollment. Once enrolled in the program, landowners become responsible for the vegetation management from their property boundary line to the centerline of the roadway. Landowners will ensure that this space remains free from all Noxious and Prohibited Noxious weeds and/or tall vegetation, which may interfere with the motorists’ sightline.
Enrollment must take place before May 1st of every growing season. Once enrolled, land will be exempt from the Roadside Spraying Program for 3 years. During this time, landowners will ensure that the above-stated areas are controlled throughout the season. Should the County deem the management inadequate, the County will inform the Landowner, and they will have until July 15 to complete control measures. Should control measures not be taken, or if the vegetation issues are not adequately controlled, the road allowance will return to the County Roadside Spraying Program, and the Spray Exemption Agreement will be void.
All Spray Exemption Agreements must be signed by the registered landowner. Once enrolled, the Agricultural Fieldman will assign “No-spray” signage to the property. The County will determine the location and number of signs needed.
No-spray signage is $35/sign if installed by the landowner/lessee or $100/sign if installed by the County. This fee must be paid in full prior to signs being installed or given out. This fee will also be applied to missing or damaged signs that require replacement.
Fenceline Spray Program
Big Lakes County Agricultural Services will apply residual herbicide on the listed property to control legislated weeds and brush along the perimeter of the property, including the fence line and headlands. When possible, operators will apply herbicide from the road allowance, into the property line to limit biosecurity risks, however if a problem area cannot be accessed via the road allowance, operators may spray from within the property line, into the road allowance.
Herbicide applications will be conducted during late summer and early fall, only if time and weather conditions permit. Priority will be given to the current year’s spray application zone. Those wishing to enroll in the program during their yearly rotation must do so before June 1st of each year. Applications must be renewed yearly.
This service comes at a fee of $100/half mile, or a portion thereof, at a maximum width of 5m inside the property line. This represents a maximum potential of 1 acre of treated area per half mile of fence line, but the width achievable is at the discretion of the spray truck operator, given the limitations of the equipment used. This fee must be paid prior to work being completed on the designated land.
Fenceline Spray Program Agreement
Rural Acreage Program
Big Lakes County participates in the Rural Acreage Program to help producers access the right chemical solutions for managing weed issues. After successfully completing the Acreage Owner Pesticide Course through Lakeland College, Rural Acreage Owners will be able to:
- Manage their property to prevent noxious and prohibited noxious weeds from growing.
- Manage these regulated weeds growing on their acreage using an integrated weed management approach.
- Safely and effectively use select commercial-class herbicides provided on a cost-recovery basis by their municipal agricultural fieldman.
This process can be initiated by Big Lakes County Agricultural Services or by an interested Ratepayer.
An inspection is performed on the land(s) in question to determine the level of infestation and amount of chemical required. A prescription for the infestation will be completed and recorded in the application by the Agricultural Fieldman and/or Assistant Agricultural Fieldman.
The Rural Acreage Owner Program application is completed, and the ratepayer is directed to enroll in the Alberta Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification Program offered by Lakeland College. The cost of the course is $75.00.
Upon successful completion of the course, the certificate is presented to the Agricultural Service department. Agricultural Services will then provide chemical in a handheld sprayer, trailer sprayer, quad sprayer etc., as fits the situation of the ratepayer, with the amount of mixed chemical required to complete control efforts.
Chemical costs will be charged back to the ratepayer on a cost-recovery basis.
Upon completion of control efforts, the infestation will then be re-inspected to ensure control has been achieved. This will be recorded on the application form.
Shelterbelt Program
Shelterbelts help block wind from yards and prevent snow drifts in the winter, offer privacy screens, and can provide aesthetic and wildlife value. The Agricultural Service Board is proud to provide this program to Big Lakes County residents.
The Big Lakes County Shelterbelt ordering period runs from September – December every year, with delivery of seedlings the following spring. This allows our suppliers adequate time to ensure supply demands are met.
Big Lakes County 2024 Shelterbelt Order Form Coming Soon!
