Sea to Sky Invasive Species Council
Box 845, Whistler BC V0N 1B0
604-698-8334
[email protected]
www.ssisc.info
To Britannia Beach Community Members,
In partnership with the Squamish - Lillooet Regional District (SLRD), the Sea to Sky Invasive Species Council (SSISC) will be
carrying out targeted invasive plant management for Japanese Knotweed in Britannia Beach (see attached map). SSISC
plans to follow a top down approach, treating plants at the top of Copper Drive and gradually work downhill.
Treatments are planned to commence in July 2015 and expected to be carried out over about 10 weeks.
The recommended control method for Japanese Knotweed in BC is the targeted application of a specifically selected
herbicide (Vantage XRT) by stem injection or foliar application. A specially designed stem injection gun is used to inject
herbicide directly into each hollow stem cavity. Foliar application by spot spraying is carried out using hand-held spray
bottles and backpack sprayers.
Experienced and certified SSISC staff members will be carrying out the treatments and will follow all provincial and
federal regulations and guidelines applicable to the use of herbicides, including no-treatment zones and pesticide free
zones (i.e. proximity to water, including Britannia’s water supply).
In partnership with the SLRD, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software and spatial layers are used to determine
the approximate location of fish bearing streams and wells, and pesticide free zones are marked out on-site, to ensure
regulations are obeyed and freshwater habitats are protected. Monitoring of wind and temperature limits, records of
use, and the safe transport, containment and storage of herbicides are also carried out according to the guidelines set
forth by governing bodies.
About Japanese Knotweed:
Japanese Knotweed is one of the world’s most destructive invasive species and is designated as a high priority species
for control in the Sea to Sky corridor. Riparian systems (streams & rivers), biodiversity, and wildlife are all threatened by
Knotweed. Knotweed also impacts safety, infrastructure & amenity values. Knotweed can grow through small cracks in
pavement, concrete or drainage structures, reducing structural integrity resulting in potential financial burden to tax
payers and landowners. The BC Weed Control Act states that all landholders must remove this problematic species. For
more information about the impacts of Japanese Knotweed, please visit www.knotonmyproperty.com or
www.ssisc.info.
Most other invasive plants can be removed by mechanical methods (cutting, pulling, mowing etc.). Unfortunately, these
methods are not sufficient to prevent the continued re-growth of Japanese Knotweed. Japanese Knotweed has an
immense root structure; what you see above ground is only a small part of the plant. The root system of a single
Knotweed plant can reach 20meters (m) laterally and 3 m deep. Excavating a pit 20m x 20m x 3m would be costly and,
under many circumstances, logistically impossible. Manual control attempts in the past have shown to be largely
ineffective, as the plant can regenerate from a tiny sliver of root or stem material, making it very difficult to ensure that
every gram of root material is removed so that the plant does not regenerate.
If you would like further information regarding this treatment, or if you have any questions, please contact SSISC at
604-698-8334 or [email protected].
Sincerely,
Clare Greenberg
Executive Director, Sea to Sky Invasive Species Council