Weed Inspectors in Saskatchewan
The Weed Control Act is provincial legislation that empowers municipalities to enforce the control of prohibited, noxious and nuisance weeds by land owners within the boundaries of the municipality.
The Role of the Weed Inspector
The role of the weed inspector under The Weed Control Act is to monitor the municipality for the prohibited and noxious weeds to detect new occurrences of those weeds in a timely manner. The weed inspector must also respond to complaints from residents of the municipality regarding prohibited, noxious and nuisance weeds.
Weed inspectors whose appointments have been acknowledged by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, have the power to:
- Enforce The Weed Control Act.
- Enter onto private property (except for dwellings) to inspect for prohibited and noxious weeds, as well as nuisance weeds in response to a complaint.
- Issue Agreements or Orders for the Eradication of prohibited weeds and isolated noxious weeds, or containment and integrated control of established noxious weeds as well as integrated control measures of nuisance weeds.
- Arrange for the appropriate measures to be taken by the municipality if Orders or Agreements issued regarding prohibited, noxious or nuisance weeds are not complied with in the time required.
- Issue permits for the movement of machinery, domestic animals or other material that may be contaminated with prohibited or noxious weeds under conditions that the weed inspector may allow.
Weed Inspectors' Secondary Role
The secondary role of the weed inspector is to co-ordinate overall invasive weed management in a municipality. By working with individuals, businesses, governments and other organizations, the weed inspector can ensure that all prohibited and noxious weeds are controlled by all land owners, and that no uncontrolled infestations remain.
The weed inspector can also contribute to reduced weed problems and costs by raising awareness of prohibited and noxious weeds with residents of the municipality, and co-ordinating local biological control activities.
Early Detection and Eradication Measures
Early detection and eradication measures are to be taken against prohibited weeds and isolated populations of noxious weeds (less than five hectares per quarter section). Containment and integrated control measures are to be taken against established noxious weeds (greater than five hectares per quarter section) and integrated control measures may be implemented to bring infestations of nuisance weeds under reasonable control.
Role and Authority Designation
These powers and others designated by The Weed Control Act are conveyed to weed inspectors only after a notification of appointment is sent to and acknowledged by:
Executive Director
Crops and Irrigation Branch
Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture
125-3085 Albert Street
Regina, SK S4S 0B1
Fax: 306-787-0428
Email: crops@gov.sk.ca
To remain valid, notification of appointments must be submitted annually. Appointments expire at the end of each calendar year. Appointments submitted must be in the form of a letter signed by a municipal official, whether mailed, faxed or scanned into PDF format and emailed to the above address.