County of Stettler staff reported chemical jug collection has been completed with only a few bags left at transfer sites. “The landfill is full and the company hired to remove bags for recycling have been notified,” stated the staff report. ECA Review/Submitted
The County of Stettler Agriculture Service Board (ASB) heard that a serious noxious weed that threatens a major crop wasn’t spotted in the municipality in 2024. The report was made at the Oct. 24 regular board meeting of the ASB.
Readers should note the ASB is comprised of members of county council and chaired by Coun. Les Stulberg.
During the regular report of Director of Agriculture Services Quentin Beaumont the topic of wild boar and clubroot inspections was mentioned; Stulberg asked how the clubroot testing turned out.
Readers should note clubroot is a very serious threat to canola crops as it spreads easily and quickly and is notorious for tenacity as it can take up to seven years to completely cleanse a field.
Beaumont answered positively by saying the County of Stettler staff found, “Zero visual clubroot this year.” During discussion board members agreed that’s great news.
It was noted about 200 fields have been checked in the municipality and staff were happy to see no visible clubroot even though it had a wet spring.
Vegetation problems
In his report Beaumont noted the County of Stettler has completed invoices for Alberta Transportation and Alberta Environment for vegetation control the municipality conducted on behalf of the provincial government for both provincial highways and the Red Deer River.
It was noted that county staff continue weed inspections and that a list is being drafted of sites that require re-inspection in 2025.
Bulky issue
Beaumont reported chemical jug collection has been completed with only a few bags left at transfer sites. “The landfill is full and the company hired to remove bags for recycling have been notified,” stated the staff report.
Reeve Larry Clarke asked if staff found out if such plastic jugs can be crushed or flattened. Beaumont responded that’s still being investigated.
The reeve observed collected chemical jugs can be quite voluminous to which Beaumont responded, “They’re bulky.”
It was noted the landfill in question will start weighing shipments of empty chemical jugs in 2025 so the County of Stettler will know how many jugs have been removed.
Orphan weeds
As board members discussed vegetation control billing to Alberta Transportation, Reeve Clarke mentioned other municipalities who received public complaints about noxious weeds on orphan well sites.
Beaumont noted he’s heard a couple of companies mention they’re conducting such weed control but nobody has ever approached the County of Stettler to do it.
Clarke stated some municipalities or property owners have contacted the orphan well fund about the problem but, “nothing was done.”
As the board discussed this issue it was mentioned the issue of uncontrolled noxious weeds on orphan well sites may be complicated by the issue that it’s unclear which Government of Alberta department is responsible for it.
Clarke stated such confusion shouldn’t happen in the County of Stettler, and if local property owners see this problem the county should forward the complaints.
Beaumont noted such complaints will be handled in the same way a private land request for spraying is received.
Research efforts
Beaumont reminded board members he and staff continue to research and work on the wild boar nuisance and the proposed animal control bylaw.
Board members previously discussed new or updated animal control measures for things like beehives.
Learn about wells
Board members asked how a recent water well workshop in the Hamlet of Red Willow turned out.
Beaumont reported the workshop hosted 21 attendees with about half of those coming from the lake area. He added that organizers were happy with the turnout and questions.
Stu Salkeld
Local Journalism Initiative reporter
ECA Review
