BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association
Your Data Your Rights
The Municipal District of Lesser Slave River’s public works and enforcement teams have had a busy spring and summer dealing with rogue beavers, towering weeds, and run-down vehicles.
During the July 29 Committee of the Whole meeting, administration presented its second-quarter operational updates, highlighting the daily challenges of keeping the rural municipality running smoothly.
Beavers have been working overtime this year, causing significant issues for local infrastructure. Public works shared that new beaver dams have blocked culverts and led to severe road washouts across the region. To save the local roadways, the M.D. brought in one contractor and two part-time workers. So far, the team has successfully trapped and relocated 26 beavers.
Meanwhile, local weed inspectors have identified 10 primary target areas for spraying this summer. Recently, there has been widespread public concern over massive, 10-to-14-foot tall weeds growing in the region.
Many residents feared the giant plants were Giant Hogweed, a highly toxic and invasive species. However, officials clarified at the meeting that the towering plants are actually Cow Parsnip.
According to Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Giant Hogweed is not currently known to be present in Alberta. While the two plants are cousins in the carrot family and look very similar, all reported sightings of the invasive hogweed in the province have turned out to be the native Cow Parsnip.
Still, the provincial government says residents should not handle Cow Parsnip with bare hands, as its sap can cause mild to severe skin irritation, rashes, and blistering when exposed to sunlight.
Wet weather has also caused some delays for community maintenance projects. A planned grooming and cleanup at Devonshire Beach had to be postponed because the wet conditions prevented heavy equipment from safely accessing the sand.
Devonshire Beach, located inside Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park, boasts a 1.5-kilometre stretch of natural sand and is recognized as one of the top beaches in Canada, according to Travel Alberta. The M.D. says the next cleanup is now scheduled for August 5.
On the bylaw side, the peace officer department presented its quarterly report, noting a busy spring with 27 complaints handled and $3,038 collected in fines. The local sergeant has returned from maternity leave, and a new officer has been hired, though the official appointment process takes four to six weeks.
To better serve the community’s needs, the department is adjusting officer shift times from the standard morning hours to a new 12:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. schedule.
A significant portion of the enforcement discussion centered on the local junk vehicle bylaw. Council engaged in an intense debate over how to specifically define a “derelict” vehicle and when a $500 fine should apply.
The conversation sparked friction regarding the legal limits of enforcing bylaws on private property. Some councillors questioned whether a junk vehicle that is completely hidden from public view—such as one parked inside a closed garage or behind a tall, solid fence—still constitutes a violation.
Council debated how to balance community cleanliness with a homeowner’s right to privacy on their own land, noting that enforcing property standards requires a careful approach.
The Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) is a federally funded program to add coverage in under-covered areas or on under-covered issues. This content is created and submitted by participating publishers and is not edited. Access can also be gained by registering and logging in at: https://lji-ijl.ca
You can support trusted and verified news content like this.
FIPA’s news monitor subscribers, donors and funders help make these available to everyone rather than behind a paywall. We appreciate every contribution because it makes a difference.
If you found this article interesting and useful, please consider contributing here.
