The Noxious Weeds Act, 1984
photo courtesy of Mark J. Kidnie, Canadian Weed Science Society www.cwss-scm.ca The Noxious Weeds Act, 1984 is provincial legislation that empowers a municipality to enforce control of noxious weeds by land owners within its boundaries in order to prevent the spread of noxious weeds. A Weed Inspector is the enforcement agent appointed by a municipality to enforce the Act.
Weed Inspectors acknowledged by Saskatchewan Agriculture (SA) have the power to:
- Enforce The Noxious Weeds Act, 1984.
- Enter onto private property (except for dwellings) to inspect for noxious weeds.
- Issue Agreements or Orders for the control of noxious weeds.
- Arrange for control of noxious weeds if Orders or Agreements are not complied with in a timely manner.
- Issue permits for the movement of machinery, vehicles or plant material that may be contaminated with noxious weeds.
What is a noxious weed?
Noxious weeds are typically non-native plant species that have been introduced either intentionally or accidentally to our ecosystem and are known to be, or may become, harmful to our economy, environment and/or health.
How are Noxious Weeds Harmful to our Economy, Environment and Health?
Unlike our native plants, non-native plants do not have natural enemies such as insects, wildlife and disease to keep them in balance within our ecosystem. As a result, they become aggressive spreaders, invading our natural grasslands, agriculture land and wetland habitats. Noxious weeds are not suitable plants for our ecosystem. For example:
- Noxious weeds typically do not have the same root system that our native plants have – as a result noxious weeds can cause soil erosion and water run-off.
- Many noxious weeds are unpalatable to wildlife and livestock – some are even poisonous.
- Noxious weeds can act as an alternate host for crop diseases.
- Noxious weed seeds can lay dormant for decades before germinating.
- Many noxious weeds produce chemicals that hinder the growth of nearby plants.
- Noxious weeds successfully compete with native plants for soil moisture and nutrients.
Integrated Weed Control Program
The City of Saskatoon employs an integrated weed control program with a combination of physical (hand-pulling), mechanical (mowing), biological (insects), and herbicidal (spot-spraying) control methods. The method of control is determined by the location and size of the weed infestation, characteristics of the weed, and the level of threat it poses to the environment and our economy.
Do you have a noxious weed growing on your property?
If you have noxious weeds growing on your property, or in the lane behind your property, please consider the following:
- Hand-pull the weeds and place all plant parts in a garbage bag, tie tightly and discard.
- If possible, remove or mow weeds before they flower.
- If plants are in flower, be sure to bag them on-site because moving the plant material to another location will spread the seeds.
- Maintain a healthy, deep-rooted lawn to prevent weeds from establishing.
- Keep 3 inches of mulch on perennial beds.
- Be vigilant and continue to remove weeds each spring until your soil bed is relatively free of weed seeds.
Who is responsible for the control of noxious weeds in alleyways and boulevards?
Property owners are responsible for the control of weeds growing in the alley behind their property and on their front boulevard.
What is the City’s policy on Dandelions?
The City of Saskatoon is one of 146 Canadian municipalities that no longer apply herbicides to parks and sports fields for the purpose of broadleaf weed control (i.e. Dandelions). For the protection of our community’s health and environment, we use a combination of non-chemical weed management techniques. In addition, the City of Saskatoon has been in a partnership with researchers from Agriculture Canada and Agri-Food Canada whom are in the process of developing a biological control for broadleaf weeds, including Dandelions.
What if a property has overgrown grass, garbage, or junked vehicles?
Saskatoon Fire Protective Services enforces Saskatoon's Property Maintenance & Nuisance Abatement Bylaw 8175. For further assistance click on “Property Maintenance Bylaw” (webpage) or “Health N’ Safety Hotline” (webpage).
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