SUNSHINE COAST REGIONAL DISTRICT Invasive Species Community Meeting Minutes September 9, 2014 Executive Director, ISCBC G. Wallin SPEAKERS: Senior Invasive Plant Technologist, MoFLNRO D. Ralph Planning Technician, SCRD L-A. Staats Resource Director, shíshálh Nation S. Quinn Parks Supervisor, District of Sechelt P. Schmidt Director of Parks, Town of Gibsons W. Gilbertson A community meeting on the topic of Invasive Species Management on the Sunshine Coast was held on September 9, 2014 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:20 p.m. at the Seaside Centre located at 5790 Teredo Street in Sechelt B.C. The meeting was held in partnership with the Invasive Species Council of BC and Ministry of Forests Lands and Natural Resource Operations. The meeting was facilitated by Gail Wallin, Executive Director for the Invasive Species Council of BC. Presentations were made by Dave Ralph, Senior Invasive Plant Technologist for the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations; Lesley-Ann Staats, Planning Technician for the Sunshine Coast Regional District; Sid Quinn, Resource Director for the shíshálh Nation; Perry Schmidt, Parks Supervisor for the District of Sechelt; and Wendy Gilbertson, Director of Parks for the Town of Gibsons. A questionnaire was available for participants to complete which collected information about community involvement in invasive species management. Copies of the presentation slides are attached for information purposes only. Facilitator, Gail Wallin gave an overview of the agenda for the community meeting. Ms. Wallin presented on the following topics: Introduction to Invasive Species, the Invasive Species Council of BC, Province-wide programs, Partnerships, Ways you can help and Looking Forward. Ms. Wallin spoke about invasive species as being non-native to BC, do not bring natural pathogens or predators, establish aggressively and out-compete native vegetation/habitat and bring detrimental impacts. The four major impacts of invasive species are: Environment (out compete native species, alter ecosystems); Economy (property and crop values drop while control costs rise, tourism, and infrastructure); Health and Safety (skin irritations, blisters, breathing problems, toxic); Social (impede recreation, trails become impassable or water ways inaccessible). Ms. Wallin focused on a species of special concern, the European Fire Ant. She stressed that this species is very difficult to control once it is established as there is no known treatment to irradiate it. The European Fire Ant is found in BC and it is expected to become a major concern for local governments over the coming years.
Notes from Invasive Species Community Meeting on September 9, 2014 Page 2 Ms. Wallin outlined the Invasive Species Council of BC’s work and key strategic documents that are available to guide non-profit groups and local governments: Invasive Species Strategy for BC (2012), BC Communications Framework on Invasive Species (2014) and the Invasive Species Toolkit for Local Government (2014). Ms. Wallin provided an overview of the Invasive Species Council of BC, its structure and governance model and the work it performs to bring groups together, education and awareness and the delivery of action based province wide programs (ex. Spotters Network, Plant Wise, Community Weed Pull Program). She highlighted resources that are available for the public and local government on the ISCBC website. She spoke to the various partnerships that ISCBC carries out with industry, government ministries, local government and community groups (13 independent regional committees) and other provincial and federal invasive species committees. She concluded by advising of the Reporting-a-Weed Invasive hotline (1-888-933-3722), website (www.bcinvasives.ca ) and Report-a-Weed app and website (www.reportaweedbc.ca ). Gail Wallin addressed questions from the meeting participants on the following topics: Q: Is the ISCBC working with neighbouring provinces and states to address species that are coming to BC from across borders? A: The ISCBC works closely with the provincial government and neighbouring jurisdictions in Alberta and Washington State. There are federal laws that control what comes across the border and they take a lot longer to change than the provincial laws. There are actions that are being taken, such as certifying horticulture suppliers from the United States. There is no legal framework now. With Zebra Mussels, there is no legal control on this species coming across the border, there is a legislative review, but voluntary action is helping to stop them from entering into BC. Q: Does ISCBC work with master gardeners or other horticulturist organizations? A: The ISCBC is working with master gardeners by offering resources and training to master gardeners’ chapters across BC. Not certain if the local Sunshine Coast chapter has joined on to the program. ISCBC is also working with the horticulture industry to voluntarily participate in the Plant Wise program, by not selling a list of specific invasive species. It does not deal with private stores or other plant retailers as of yet, but working towards this in the future. Q: Can the European Fire Ants travel through the transportation of soil and/or plant matter? A: Yes absolutely, it is a fact! The fire ant tends to move through transfer of soil and there is scientific evidence to prove this. Q: What type of bylaws can local governments enact to control the spread of invasive species on private property? A: There are two ways: Local government has the tools in terms of putting bylaws in place around invasive species and the provincial government is looking at putting new regulations in place that will make the current legislation stronger.
Notes from Invasive Species Community Meeting on September 9, 2014 Page 3 Dave Ralph, Senior Invasive Plant Technologist, Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations presented on the Complexity of Addressing Invasive Plant/Species Management Challenges in British Columbia. He presented on the following topics: The complexity of BC’s situation; Solutions for Invasive Plant Management; Getting on the same page; Collaborating locally; Ensuring a scientific base in decision making; and Strengthening legislative framework. Mr. Ralph explained that due to the geography and diversity of the ecosystems in BC, the way in which the provincial government manages its invasive plant management programs on Crown Land takes on a diverse approach. The complexity of the invasive plants issue has broadened the focus to be more towards species as a whole rather than just weed. Mr. Ralph explained that the provincial government has endeavored to “break down silos”, so that all of the “resource based” provincial ministries collaborate on the topic of invasive species. The province works to ensuring that its efforts are complimentary with what local groups are doing. The Inter-Ministry Invasive Species Working Group was established in 2004 and is made up of a broad membership across government including Forests Lands and Natural Resource Operations, Environment, Agriculture, Energy & Mines, Recreation, BC Parks and Health. The Working Group has developed the following key strategic documents: Invasive Species Strategic Plan (2013), Invasive Pant Strategic Plan (2011), BC Invasive Species Early Detection & Rapid Response Plan (2013). The Working Group shares resources across ministries, establishes common invasive plant priorities, works collaborative on projects, established an invasive species policy, and conducted a legislative GAP analysis. Mr. Ralph spoke to partnerships with the Invasive Species Council of BC, collaborates locally with 13 regional weed/invasive species committees and 14 local government weed programs. He highlighted the results of the regional weed/invasive species committees in developing regional invasive plant plans, education and awareness and partnership delivery of programs. Mr. Ralph outlined the provincial governments efforts to strengthening legislation related to invasive species. The BC Weed Control Act Regulation review began in 2009. The goal would to be to harmonizing all existing legislation into one document to address invasive species as a whole. The Weed Control Act amendments would address: Pathways and vector spread (sale, movement, transport, storage and disposal); Provide a solid foundation for Early Detection and Rapid Response actions through a Prohibited Noxious Weed List; and Create a Restricted Noxious Weed list to address species of provincial concern, regional concern, and that are a threat to specific values. Dave Ralph addressed questions from the meeting participants on the following topics: Q: Regarding special value species: What about the plants that the First Nations uses? How is the province working with the First Nations on the issue of invasive species? A: The province takes into consideration the impact of invasive species to humans, whether it be through food sources or impacts to health and safety. The province doesn’t want to be controlling invasive species in an area if it may be affecting local food or traditional food
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