Mowing and Brush Control

Roadside Mowing

Sturgeon County ensures paved and graveled roadsides are mowed to improve visibility and to control undesired vegetation or regulated weeds. Graveled roadsides are mowed a minimum of once annually, and paved and hard-surface roadsides are mowed a minimum of twice annually. If you have concerns that a roadside near you is being neglected or vegetation is becoming a hazard, please contact Ag Services.

Municipal Reserve Mowing

Municipal reserves exist throughout residential areas for the enjoyment of visitors and residents. These areas can host a variety of recreational uses – some are developed park spaces while others are open or naturalized spaces. As these are county-owned properties, they are maintained based on the type of use and in accordance with the Vegetation Management Standards Policy.

Sturgeon County will control weeds and excessive vegetation growth and focus our control measures on MRs that are frequented by residents. Other MRs are left to be as naturalized as possible. If you have concerns regarding vegetation on a Municipal Reserve parcel near you, please contact Ag Services.

CN Rail 2023 vegetation management activities will take place between April and October. Regularly updated schedules and updates can be found at the CN Rail website here.

Trees, brush, and other vegetation can compromise rail and public safety by:

• Impeding motorist sightlines, which increases risk of crossing accidents
• Reduce visibility for train crews at crossings and of train control signals or track side warning devices
• Excess vegetation can damage the integrity of the railbed, interfere with signals and switches
• Increases risk and/or size of track side fires

CN manages vegetation using both chemical and mechanical methods. The track infrastructure is composed of two main sections:

1. the ballast section, typically ranging from 16-24 feet (which is primarily gravel and supports the track structure)
   • Keeping this clear of vegetation is critical for safe railway operations and is managed with chemical control. Spray trucks or spray trains with downcast nozzles are used. These spray a short distance above the ground surface with shrouded booms that are specially designed to reduce chemical drift.
2. the right-of-way portion (which is the area outside of the ballast section to the CN property boundary)
   • Mechanical control methods such as mowing or brushing are used here. Chemical treatments may be used to control regulated weed species or brush. CN has retained professional contractors qualified to undertake this work. They are required to comply with all laws and regulations applicable to CN. In addition, the contractors will ensure that vegetation control is performed with consideration of the environment and in accordance with the highest industry standards.