Agricultural Services maintains rural ditches to improve visibility and ensure safe road travel, allow proper drainage to prevent flooding, and prevent weeds from spreading to protect the environment and surrounding agricultural land. The Roadside Vegetation Control Program controls weeds, brush and trees on rural roadsides and in municipal reserves. Control methods include:
- tree/brush control
- mowing
- spraying
- seeding
View the MD of Taber's Roadside Vegetation Management Policy.
| Questions? |
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| Call 403-223-8735 Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm |
Roadside tree/brush control
Priorities
- Intersections (300-meter triangle of vision)
- Hazardous or overhanging trees that could impair road traffic
- Snow drifting concerns
- Trees and brush that interfere with utility right-of-ways within our jurisdiction
- Hazardous or overhanging trees near sidewalks or intersections within hamlets
Roadside Tree/Brush Control involves removing trees and brush along the roadside that is left to naturally decompose in the ditch over time. These activities improve sightlines at intersections and along the roadside, increase efficiency during snow clearing in winter, and improve drainage.
Brushing and mulching are only conducted in municipally-owned ditches and roadsides in the Municipal District of Taber. Ornamental trees near approaches and shelterbelts on private property are not removed as part of this program.
The municipality will work with and gain permission from all adjacent landowners before any work proceeds and follows all safety protocols. The work is mainly performed from November to April when weather conditions permit.
Equipment used
- 1 – Tractor with bucket
- 1 – Tandem dump truck
- 1 – Woodchipper
- 6 – Chainsaws
- 2 – Trucks
- 1 – Trailer
Roadside mowing
Priorities
- municipal right-of-ways
- lease roads
- road construction projects
- airports (Taber, Vauxhall)
- hamlets, parks, cemeteries, landfills
- undeveloped road allowances
- contracted mowing highways (Volker Stevin)
Mowing activities keep roadside vegetation short to improve visibility for the safety of residents travelling on rural roads and ensure proper drainage and assist in controlling weeds and the drifting of snow. All roadside mowing equipment will operate with headlights and 4-way flashers turned on.
Range roads and township roads are mowed twice per year. Agricultural Services will cooperate with other municipal departments and agencies to ensure their needs are met with regard to mowing. Only undeveloped road allowances deemed safe (free of rocks and debris) will be considered for mowing. Airports are contacted prior to mowing to ensure safety regulations are met.
Equipment used
- 4 – Tractors 125 hp
- 4 – 15’ Rotary mowers
- 4 – Sidearms
Roadside seeding
Agricultural Services is responsible for re-seeding grass to newly constructed roads, borrow areas, and reclamation sites owned by the Municipal District of Taber. The department also provides direction to contractors and developers seeding new roadsides and utility right-of-ways.
Any contractors or developers seeding a roadside or utility right-of-way must follow the Agricultural Service Board guidelines with reference to seed quality, and variety to be planted. In addition, all seeds must have a certificate of seed analysis from the supplier before any seeding work is performed. This is done to assure that top-quality seed is used and free of weed seeds.
Equipment used
- 1 - Tractor and 10’ drill
- 1 - Quad equipped with seeding equipment
Roadside spraying
Along with brushing and mowing, select herbicide spraying is another tool the MD of Taber uses to manage weeds along municipal road allowances.
The MD of Taber treats weeds and plants designated as noxious and prohibited noxious under the Alberta Weed Act in order to prevent their spread onto private property.
All municipal right-of-ways, ditches and road allowances will be sprayed annually with registered herbicides.
- Product labels and regulatory requirements will be followed
- All spraying is done by a licensed pesticide applicator
- Spraying season typically starts in June and ends in July
