Invasive Plant Species Bylaw and Non- regulatory approaches – November 2, 2015

Top 10 reasons to Get Involved: 1. reduce property values 2. reduce the recreational value of parks 3. pose health and safety risks to humans and/or livestock 4. outcompete tree seedlings & reduce crop yields 5. negatively impact the local economy 6. are the 2nd largest threat to biodiversity on the planet 7. can be highly flammable 8. increase their spread at an average of 14% annually 9. are provincially regulated 10. know no boundaries

Priority Plants in the Cowichan Valley Region

Species Management Category Classification under WCA 2013 Total Area, IAPP database (ha) Giant HogweedEradicateBC Noxious1.1 Blessed Milk ThistleEradicateBC Noxious< 0.1 Knotweed SpeciesEradicateBC Noxious38.0 Carpet BurweedEradicateBC Noxious< 0.1 Yellow IrisContainBC Noxious34.5 Daphne / Spurge Laurel ContainBC Noxious7.7 Poison HemlockContainNot Classified< 0.1 Tansy RagwortControlBC Noxious28.6 Scotch BroomControlNot Classified404.1 Occurrence of priority invasive plants in the Region

Species Management Category Classification under WCA 2013 Total Area, IAPP database (ha) Giant HogweedEradicateBC Noxious1.1 Blessed Milk ThistleEradicateBC Noxious< 0.1 Knotweed SpeciesEradicateBC Noxious38.0 Carpet BurweedEradicateBC Noxious< 0.1 Yellow IrisContainBC Noxious34.5 Daphne / Spurge Laurel ContainBC Noxious7.7 Poison HemlockContainNot Classified< 0.1 Tansy RagwortControlBC Noxious28.6 Scotch BroomControlNot Classified404.1 Occurrence of priority invasive plants in the Region All Reported Invasive Plants

Giant Hogweed

Management Approach Options

Non-Regulatory Options: 1. Public outreach and education campaign; 2. Social marketing approach to invasive plant management; 3. CVRD properties’ master plan which identifies the occurrence of invasive species, volume and impacts and prioritizes their management; and 4. Continue to work with provincial and regional partners on the Coastal Invasive Species Committee.

Regulatory Options: 1. Bylaw Development of a bylaw under the Local Government Act; √ 2. Development permits Review invasive species management requirements in development permits.

DRAFT Noxious Weed Control Bylaw: 1. CITATION 2. DEFINITION 3. PROHIBITION 4. OFFICER 5. NOTICE 6. COSTS OF ERDAICATION 7. PENALTY PROHIBITION Every owner or occupier of real property in all Electoral Areas of the Cowichan Valley Regional District, or that person’s agent, shall ensure that his or her property be cleared of, and remain free from, all noxious weeds listed in Schedule ‘A’ to this bylaw.

Work Plan – Design Phase Prioritize invasive plants Develop invasive plant management options Staff review of draft bylaw and work plan Refer and present the bylaw for discussion Present the bylaw and work plan to CVRD EASC and RSC Committees

Work Plan – Implementation Phase Release Invasive Plants Bylaw Inventory and removal of Hogweed from CVRD properties Inventory of CVRD priority species on CVRD properties Develop and Implement a Social Marketing and Education Strategy Work with key stakeholders and agencies in the coordination of programs and resources. Ticketing Bylaw Amendment to all for ticketing under the Invasive Plants Bylaw

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