A warning about the spread of knotweed in Langley Township has prompted council to order an investigation.
The warning was issued by Joe Cindrich, who said he has been fighting a frustrating battle near his Langley acreage with the hard-to-kill plant that can punch holes in concrete and pavement.
“If it is not eradicated, it will spread and it will be costly,” he said.
Cindrich, who brought some knotweed clippings with him to the Monday afternoon (June 10) council meeting, told council he keeps ripping the plant out and it keeps coming back.
“It looks like bamboo, except you can’t kill it [easily].”
Because the plant has a large underground network of roots, it does not appear possible to dig enough of it up to prevent it from growing back, he said.
“It’s horrible,” Cindrich said.
The Wikipedia entry for Knotweed notes the plant is listed by the World Conservation Union as one of the “100 worst invasive species.”
Cindrich said as far as he can determine from his own research, the only proven method of killing knotweed is to inject it with some form of herbicide.
The fast-growing plant was imported to Canada from Asia and sold by local Langley nurseries for landscaping, Cindrich said, suggesting the Township could be legally liable for property damage.
“The municipality allowed it to be sold.” he said.
“I will be seeking legal advice.”
Later in the meeting, council voted unanimously to have Township staff investigate and bring a report back to council.
Councillor Bob Long, who sits on the Metro Vancouver Environment and Parks Committee, said the regional district has programs to fight invasive plant species and might be in a position to assist with knotweed eradication.
