CHARLES TWEED/Ponoka News
It was a light docket for the May 24 meeting of Ponoka County Council.
Shayne Steffen, manager of agriculture services, informed the council the hawkweed species has been added to the province’s prohibited noxious list of the Weed Control Act.
The species has been found in parts of 11 townships throughout Ponoka County.
Steffen was looking for direction in how to deal with the matter whether to issue weed notices but the council felt it would be better to take a collaborative approach to the problem, suggesting they will work with farmers to help eradicate the hawkweed species rather than begin issuing weed notices.
Road work continues
Herb Schwingel, public works superintendent, reported on the state of roads in the county. Brushing is underway on the six-mile project on Range Road 234 and the majority of agreements are in place to being working on a two-mile project on Fifth Meridian Road.
Several bridges will be worked on this summer. Simpson bridge on Leedale Road has the strip deck completed while Springdale bridge and a bridge on Range Road 20 are waiting for design approval.
Crews continue to work to chip seal around the county: four miles on Range Road 40 and Fifth Meridian Road; two miles on Willow Creek Road, Range Road 260 and Spruce Road, Bobtail Road, McDonald Road, and Baker Road; one mile on River Hill West Road and Meridian County Estates; and half a mile at the Inland Concrete Road.
Schwingel advised the gravelling program and dust control program are both in full effect while three miles of the Bluffton Landfill Road paving design is complete and ready for tender as well as the access road for Almita a one mile section with the design complete and ready for tender pending drill tests.