The 2018 bed and shoreline weed control program in the Fallentimber Creek, the Bearberry Creek and the Red Deer River has wrapped up.
In his monthly report to council, legislative, community and agricultural services director Chris Atchison gave an update on a variety of projects and programs conducted by the department’s staff over the past several months.
The goal of the bed and shoreline program is to control prohibited noxious and noxious weeds as per the Alberta Weed Control Act and Regulation, he said.
The program saw staff pull and bag any regulated weeds found during examinations of the shorelines.
“By hand picking these water bodies it allows Mountain View County to maintain and protect bed and shore health while reducing the economic burden of weeds to downstream landowners, municipalities and water bodies,” said Atchinson.
Along the shorelines, banks and islands of the Red Deer River there was a diverse population of weed species that were both noxious and prohibited noxious including common tansy, ox-eye daisy, Canada thistle, perennial sow-thistle, leafy spurge, scentless chamomile and yellow clematis, he said.
“Common tansy was one of the main focuses of the program this year as they are uncommon in the surrounding area. Common tansy was found in areas such as the Garrington Bridge and under Highway 27; these populations were picked and bagged for disposal,” he said.
The Bearberry Creek contained weeds such as common tansy, scentless chamomile, yellow clematis, tall buttercup and ox-eye daisy, he said.
“There has been an overall reduction of these weed populations, specifically there was less yellow clematis and common tansy in 2018 compared to 2017."
Two significant locations on the Fallentimber creek were identified to monitor in the future due to the size of weed populations at each site, he said.
“The contractor picked and bagged the weeds at each location; the first site contained scentless chamomile, Canada thistle, perennial sow-thistle, common tansy and yellow toadflax,” he said.
“There were dense patches of common tansy located under the bridge of Township Road 310. The common tansy plants extended down the escarpment, into the water and further down the river. This is an important site as the common tansy and yellow toadflax are not found commonly in the surrounding areas.
"The second significant location of concern was where the Fallentimber flows into the Red Deer River. This site had dense populations of common tansy, Canada thistle, perennial sow-thistle, and some scentless chamomile.”
He also gave an update on clubroot inspections.
“We have completed the clubroot sampling,” he said. “In total, we completed clubroot inspections on 64 fields. We found one case of clubroot east of Carstairs.
“The subject land is leased. Inspections of the leaseholder's fields was completed. No other cases were found. Inspection of the adjacent land with canola was completed and no evidence of clubroot found.
“All adjacent landowners have been contacted and notified of the clubroot in the area, as well as an ad has been placed in the local paper.”
Councillors accepted the report for information.
CORRIDOR REPORT
Meanwhile, council received an update report on Alberta Transportation’s (AT) examination of high load traffic corridors in the region.
The report was received for information during the recent regularly scheduled council meeting.
County administration and staff from the Town of Carstairs attended an Oct. 22 meeting with AT staff.
The province is considering a number of changes to the high load corridors, including: option 1 - Highway 791 to Twp. Rd. 292 (Acme Road) to Highway 22; and option 2 - Highway 791 to Twp. Rd. 292 to Highway 2A to Highway 580 to Highway 22.
Twp. Rd. 292 falls under the jurisdiction of both Mountain View and Rocky View counties.
“The proposed alternative routes include the use of additional lengths of local roads, which will likely require more upgrading than the existing provincial highway network,” administration said in a briefing note to council.
Mountain View County has identified a number of concerns with the proposed update routes, including the following:
• Dust issues on Rge. Rd. 13 and Twp. Rd. 300 (both gravel roads).
• Local road intersections were not constructed to accommodate over dimensional loads and will need technical review.
• Alignment of 2A/Highway 580 and railway tracks may cause difficulty for oversize loads to safely cross on Twp. Rd. 300.
• The curves on Highway 580 east of Cremona may be too sharp to accommodate oversize loads.
• More pullout locations to check load securement are needed along the selected route.
Although Village of Cremona officials were not able to attend the Oct. 22 meeting with AT, the municipality did provide a list of concerns.
“Concerns raised were related to traffic affecting local businesses, potential to restrict access for emergency services located at the Cremona fire hall, numerous power lines that will need to be relocated and close proximity to the school that is located adjacent to Highway 580,” administration said.
“Carstairs also expressed concern regarding the new route (Rge. Rd. 13) and the potential impact it may have on future growth in the southeast portion of town.”
AT officials plan to conduct further reviews of the proposed new routes and report back to the county with the result of technical analysis, council heard.
“Alberta Transportation staff indicated that availability of provincial funding for upgrades to the selected routes is unknown. Alberta Transportation indicated that the existing high load corridor route will continue to be used as the designated route until discussions are concluded,” administration said.
