Public Services Committee Meeting Date: Tuesday, August 28, 2012 Time: 12:00 PM Location: City Hall - Boardroom 2-1

Transcription

1 Public Services Committee Meeting Date: Tuesday, August 28, 2012 Time: 12:00 PM Location: City Hall - Boardroom 2-1 A G E N D A 1) SPECIAL EVENTS, PERFORMANCE EXHIBITION, COMPETITION ASSISTANCE GRANTS - ARTS AND HERITAGE ADVISORY BOARD AUGUST Excerpt from the Arts & Heritage Advisory Board August 15, 2012 NOTES: Adoption 2) CONTROLLING BABY'S BREATH IN MEDICINE HAT... 3 The Administrative Committee received the report as information August 22, 2012 Information NOTES: 3) MEDICINE HAT SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (SPCA)... 7 Presentation NOTES: Information Adjournment

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3 SPECIAL EVENTS, PERFORMANCE EXHIBITION, COMPETITION ASSISTANCE GRANTS - ARTS AND HERITAGE ADVISORY BOARD AUGUST 2012 Public Services Committee Meeting Agenda August 28, 2012 Page 1

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5 ISSUE: The invasion of baby s breath (Gypsophila paniculata), a noxious weed under the Alberta Weed Control Act, has progressed rapidly and has become a city-wide issue. RECOMMENDATION: Whereas: Baby s breath is an aggressive, invasive, perennial plant which poses a threat to native species and the community s ecosystem as a whole. Baby s breath is listed as a noxious weed under the Alberta Weed Control Act. Under this legislation all land owners must control the growth of noxious weeds on their lands. Baby s breath has infested all quadrants of the city, with the highest concentrations occurring in the North. Due to the invasive nature of baby s breath, control will be completely unsuccessful unless all landowners take steps to manage and prevent the dispersal of seed. Although the effects are not yet known, the tiny cryptanthe (Cryptantha minima) plant has been identified as a species whose habitat is under potential threat from the invasion of baby s breath. Therefore: It is recommended through the Administrative Committee and the Public Services Committee that City Council accepts this as information only. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Due to its aggressive growth, difficulty to manage and its invasive nature, baby s breath is costly to control. The costs associated with the management of baby s breath relate to the methods used to prevent and control the dispersal of seed. Inventorying and mapping of infested areas on City owned lands will be required in order to determine control costs. The indirect costs are reflected in the loss of natural habitat and aesthetic values. PUBLIC CONSIDERATIONS: To some, baby s breath is considered an eyesore and is not well tolerated during the flowering stage as it produces a powerful, nauseating odor. Four to six weeks after flowering the plant stem separates from the root and it becomes a tumbleweed, dropping seeds as it tumbles in the wind. During this stage it piles up in great drifts against fences and dwellings, gets blown into traffic, lands in private yards and businesses, and allows for the accumulation of other windblown debris. The current baby s breath infestation requires the collaboration of City owned, private sector and residential land owners. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS: The environmental effects of baby s breath include outcompeting native species and altering ecosystems. Baby s breath has a deep penetrating root that gives it a competitive advantage over other plants. It also has the ability to produce phenols which are capable of interfering with the normal growth of neighbouring plants. Ranchlands 2 F&G Information Item CONTROLLING BABY'S BREATH IN MEDICINE HAT Municipal Services - August 22, 2012 The environmentally sensitive area (Ranchlands 2 F&G) contains the tiny cryptanthe (Cryptantha minima) plant and other sensitive species. The area has been heavily invaded by baby s breath. Baby s breath has the potential to out-compete tiny cryptanthe and other native species and create an unsuitable habitat. Public Services Committee Meeting Agenda August 28, 2012 Page 3

6 BACKGROUND/RATIONALE/ANALYSIS: Baby s breath is popular in the florist trade and as a garden ornamental. It escaped from cultivation and appeared as an invader of Canada s native prairie by the mid 1900 s. Baby s breath thrives in sandy, alkaline soil and is often found growing in waste areas, roadsides, cultivated fields, pastures, native rangelands and along river banks. Seedling plants emerge in spring and develop only one shoot the first year, making early identification very difficult. During the first two years the plant diverts its energy into root growth. The taproot is extremely hardy and may extend four metres into the soil allowing the plants to access deep soil moisture and store large amounts of food reserves. Flowers appear in summer and within four to six weeks the plant begins to form seed capsules. Mature plants can grow up to 1.2m by 1m and produce an average of 13,700 seeds. The majority of seeds drop near the parent plant, however, during the late summer/early fall the plant breaks at the base and can tumble extensive distances, dropping thousands of seeds along the way. Its unique growth habit makes it difficult to identify in the early stages and by the time baby s breath becomes noticeable it already has a well-established root system. Ranchlands 2 F&G Upon the discovery of tiny cryptanthe, the area comprising Ranchlands 2 F&G was designated an environmentally sensitive area in order to conserve the remaining natural habitat. Tiny cryptanthe is listed as an endangered species under Alberta s Wildlife Act and the federal Species At Risk Act (SARA). For successful germination and growth, tiny cryptanthe appears to require sandy, shifting soil with low vegetation and litter cover. Tiny cryptanthe also requires between 10-30% bare soil in order for seeds to establish. The invasion of baby s breath and other exotic species produce higher levels of canopy cover, attract litter and would therefore likely pose a threat to the survival of tiny cryptanthe and its habitat. Control of noxious weeds in this area will require a unique combination of approaches over several years. The key to successfully preserving this native habitat in the future will depend largely on controlling all upwind sources of baby s breath. Baby s Breath Control The different areas containing baby s breath (i.e. City-owned land, private sector land, environmentally sensitive areas and residential land) are going to require different methods of control. However, an integrated pest management strategy can be put into place for each, thereby developing a broad control program for baby s breath in and around Medicine Hat. A balanced, successful approach to controlling invasive weed species must include the following steps: Proper identification and knowledge of invasive weed species Inventory, mapping and monitoring of weed population and damage Making control decisions based on knowledge of potential damage, cost to control, and environmental impact of the weed and control decision Using control strategies that may include a combination of methods to reduce the weed population to an acceptable level Evaluating the effectiveness and effects of control decisions The table on the following page provides information regarding control methods of baby s breath. A check mark designates a method as a viable option whereas those marked with an X would not be considered options for this particular situation. Public Services Committee Meeting Agenda August 28, 2012 Page 4

7 Baby s Breath Control Method Hand Pulling Hand Digging Grazing Cultivation Mowing Chemical (Broadcast Application) Chemical (Spot Application) Chemical (Hack & Squirt) Prescribed Fire Spot Burning Alternative Products Vinegars/Soaps/Salt Increased Fencing Description Sever the crown from the roots. Caution - baby s breath is a known skin irritant. Pros: Minimizes soil disturbance, reduces seed production Cons: Extremely labour intensive, re-sprouting will occur Sever the root 1 ft. below the soil surface. Pros: Effectively destroys the plant Cons: Extremely labour intensive Residential Land City Land Viable for Private Sector Ranchlands 2 F&G Pros: Heavy grazing early in the season can reduce seed production and prevent seedling establishment Cons: Overgrazing may increase susceptibility to invasion by other weeds Pros: Extensive cultivation on an annual basis can effectively control an infestation Cons: Not applicable, used in agriculture situations Pros: Reduces seed production and dispersal Cons: Not an effective control method as plant will re-sprout Widespread application of herbicides is not recommended. Pros: Broadleaf herbicides can effectively control baby s breath Cons: Broadleaf herbicides will also destroy desirable broadleaf species, expensive Pros: Targets the specific weed, less chemical used Cons: Sparse foliage makes it hard to get good coverage, re-sprouting is possible The weed is cut down and herbicide is immediately applied to the cut. Pros: Targets the specific weed, very little chemical used Cons: Labour intensive A prescribed fire should not be allowed in any areas. Pros: Frequent fires have been shown to reduce baby s breath populations Cons: Timing is critical, fire could unexpectedly open the area to further invasion and sharply reduce the abundance of native species A specialized propane torch is used to burn individual plants. Special training required. Pros: Effectively destroys young plants, heat shields can be used to protect desirable plants Cons: Re-sprouting may occur. Fire control concerns. Pros: Non-toxic, non-residual Cons: High doses required, non-selective, multiple treatments required, re-sprouting will occur For areas with large baby s breath populations, snow fencing could be employed to prevent the tumbleweeds from blowing into neighbouring properties. Pros: Could potentially reduce seed dispersal Cons: Does nothing to control the infestation, skeletons would have to be collected Public Services Committee Meeting Agenda August 28, 2012 Page 5

8 OPTIONS CONSIDERED: N/A IMPLEMENTATION PLAN The public needs to know how to identify baby s breath in order to control it. Information from Alberta s Invasive Plant Council will be posted on the City s website and a brochure on baby s breath will be made available at various City locations. Administration will work with Bylaw Enforcement to ensure control of baby s breath and compliance with Weed Bylaw No and the Alberta Weed Control Act/Regulations. The City will continue to assess City owned land and treat when baby s breath is present. A separate plan will be developed for the environmentally sensitive area of Ranchlands 2 F&G to ensure the protection of tiny cryptanthe, other native species and their habitat. Parks and Recreation will continue to assist other landowners with improving the efficiency of their integrated pest management programs. Parks and Recreation will develop and maintain a shared baby s breath inventory. The inventory will be posted on the City s website. PREPARED BY & DATE: Jenna MacDonald, Landscape Technician Rodger Vizbar, General Manager of Parks and Recreation August 13, 2012 APPROVED BY & DATE: Ron Webb, Commissioner of Public Services August 13, 2012 ATTACHMENTS: N/A Public Services Committee Meeting Agenda August 28, 2012 Page 6

9 MEDICINE HAT SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (SPCA) Presentation by Marilyn Crisp, President of the Medicine Hat SPCA and George Miers, Architect (Principal), Swatt Miers Architects Public Services Committee Meeting Agenda August 28, 2012 Page 7 END