Editor: What was Councillor Charlie Fox thinking? This self-styled protector of Township farmland, in a recent council meeting, said council would consider “making it easier for residents to obtain landfill permits to bury the invading plants (Japanese knotweed) to eradicate them.” (The Times, Aug. 8).
This is a move that would certainly provide benefit to developers in the Township, since they are always looking for opportunities to dump excavation material as close to construction sites as possible. It is a move that would benefit those who buy or occupy land to make money from charging dumping fees to those same developers.
This proposal does nothing to encourage landowners to be responsible for managing their property, nor to fulfill their duty under provincial law to “control designated noxious plants.” It would also fail as an attempt to eradicate the weed, since this weed can “punch holes in concrete and pavement”, and could further contribute to the destruction of farmland.
The ministry of agriculture web site provides easy access to information on how to control and eradicate Japanese knotweed. Nowhere in the detailed list of options does it suggest a strategy involving the importation of landfill material.
It does suggest that to be successful, “planning for a long and sustained effort is critical.” It does state that the plants should be cut and smothered with a layer of old carpeting, cardboard or a tarp. It does not suggest that the soil level above the plants needs to be raised, as it would be with the importing of landfill material. Nor does it suggest that these plants need to be buried under a foot, or two, or more of any imported material.
It does state that, to be successful, the site should be remediated by seeding grass, using common No.1 forage mixture or better, and for that to work, you would need reasonable soil, not broken concrete with or without rebar and or asphalt, or blue clay. A stone-free surface would be helpful since the forage mixture, once grown, would need to be maintained.
For accurate, expert information on how to be rid of this invasive species, contact the ministry of agriculture, LEPS (604 532-3511) or the Invasive Plant Council at http://www.fraservalleyweeds.com.
Mei Lin Yeoell,
Langley
