Weed control causes concern in Bragg Creek

The head of Greater Bragg Creek Trails Association (GBCTA) is acknowledging there needs to be a better way to deal with pesky weeds. The organization has been grappling with a weed overgrowth problem on its Banded Peak trail, a pathway frequented by pets and children travelling between Bragg Creek and Banded Peak Elementary School. Conrad Schiebel, president of GBCTA, said the overgrowth was becoming detrimental to the gravel path, including causing an uneven surface. Schiebel said the group was advised by the county and other consultants not to disturb the path with picks to remove the weeds as it would cause more destruction to the path. GBCTA also had unsuccessful attempts of using alternative, more environmentally-friendly sprays including a vinegar solution. That’s when they turned to a noxious weed control spray, 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,-4D), which was sprayed in early September. The toxic herbicide is chemical weed killer and has been banned in Quebec and restricted in other provinces including Alberta and Manitoba. However, Schiebel said it was the only way to effectively clear the path while staying within their budget. “In order to salvage the trail it needed some drastic work on it,” he said. “We’ll be able to rebuild that trail without vegetation growing through it,” Conrad said adding that they were left with few options, which included decommissioning the path or a complete rebuild, which is out of the GBCTA’s budget. Schiebel admitted that there are concerns over the amount of precipitation in the area as it causes the spray to release an intense odor. The GBCTA is in the process of making policies for the disuse of 2-4D, but in the meantime, Schiebel said he is hoping the community understands why the product was used this time. “It’s unfortunate that we’re getting some negative press from an organization point of view ... we’re trying to be community partners,” Schiebel said. “But it’s certainly made us aware that we need to really have our finger on the pulse of the community as far as what their needs are as well.”

Spray is a possible carcinogen, vet clinic

Judith Samson-French, a veterinarian at Banded Peak Veterinary hospital and Boarding Centre, has been critical of the GBCTA’s decision to use the chemical on the trail. Samson-French said the spray is known to be a carcinogen (cancer-causing), a possible problem which Schiebel acknowledged. “I vehemently oppose the use of 2-4D on our trails, especially when dogs are walked on such trails,” Samson-French told the Cochrane Eagle in an email. “I am calling for a moratorium on trail building until their maintenance has been figured out, without using possible carcinogens such as 2-4D.” Samson-French also posted a video online explaining her problem with the herbicide. “In the past, we have taken a battle saying we don’t want any pesticides especially like a Roundup to be sprayed in front of our property because we have donkeys here and they will be able to eat the grass that has been sprayed with Roundup,” she is heard saying on the video. She said the pathway in front of her property was not sprayed out of request, but she said the pathway area just before her property has been. “It does smell very chemical. I obviously did not bring my dogs,” she said. “2, 4-D has been listed as possibly carcinogenic to humans, we don’t know what it does to our pets.”