Herbicides are one step closer to returning to Jasper.

The Jasper Health Advisory Committee voted 3-1 to endorse a proposal by Parks Canada to use herbicide in the municipality, primarily in uninhabited areas of town. This includes industrial yards, the rail yard and old gravel pits.

According to a presentation to the committee by Parks Canada vegetation specialist Alan Westhaver, the herbicides (including Milestone and Bordon 22K) would have a low level of toxicity and would not spread once dried to the target plant. That means Parks Canada staff will have to apply the herbicide to each individual plant through spot spraying. The herbicide does not migrate through the soil, according to a Parks Canada report, and the plants simply shrivel up.

Currently, herbicides aren’t allowed on municipal lands, however this proposal is aimed at eradicating non-native species that pose a threat to indigenous plants. Examples  of non-native species include the tall buttercup, ox-eyed daisy and common toadflax, among others.

Non-native species are usually introduced to the park through gardens, and compromise the ‘ecological integrity’ of the park. They are often responsible for crowding out native species, and aren’t eaten by herbivores such as deer and elk. Herbicide used for aesthetic purposes would still be banned.

While the health advisory committee supported the idea in principle, they have yet to see a draft copy of the policy. They also expressed reservations about re-introducing herbicides, which were eradicated as part of a public safety campaign.

“The community embraced a no herbicide policy as a principle. I have a hard time undoing that. I’m on the side of the less chemicals, the better,” said Jasper Town Councillor Mike Day.

Committee chair Angela Lemire said she doesn’t have a problem with Parks Canada using low toxicity herbicides in order to slow the spread of invasive plants.

Committee member Bonnie Ireland was the lone vote in opposition to the recommendation. She said she wanted more information about the herbicide, specifically how it can travel.

Seton hospital manager Lorna Chisholm said there are ‘no good chemicals’ but since Parks Canada is using herbicides with the lowest level of toxicity, she has no issue with its usage.

Parks Canada also employs summer staff which have been partially paid for by the municipality to manually pull non-native species. They use herbicides in other parts of the National Park, such as on Cavell Road or Highway 16, however until now, herbicides have not been used in the townsite.

Non-native species tend to thrive on disturbed land, such as the discovery trail and near the railroad, according to non-native vegetation control program co-ordinator Jennifer McPhee. She said while hand-pulling and weed-whacking helps, it is only a maintenance program, while herbicides kill the species for good.

The west and east ends of town have been identified as problem areas, McPhee said, especially near the railway tracks.

“These species have two means of spreading: seeds and root propogation. These herbicides are selective and systematic. They move into the root system... very little is left in the soil,” McPhee said.

McPhee said there are restrictions as to where the herbicides will be used. They cannot be used near water, in inhabited areas and will not be used on windy days. Several studies have been conducted to show they are safe for wildlife, however anyone in the vicinity of the spraying will be asked to leave.

“All of our herbicides have a low toxicity and low risk to animals and humans,” McPhee said. “The wildlife eats around them. There’s research that shows there hasn’t been a negative effect.”

Once an area has been sprayed, native grass seed is laid down to compete with the weeds.

Jasper National Park has used pesticides to control knapweed, and had a lot of success, McPhee said. They now use much less herbicides for knapweed, as usage decreases dramatically over time.

“We used to employ two people for a week to spray knapweed. Now we employ one person for half a day,” McPhee said.

The health advisory’s recommendation will now go to town council, who will vote on the matter. The question is also being posed to the town’s environmental stewardship committee. Coun. Day also mentioned Parks Canada can override council’s decision if they so choose.