Four Val Saint-françois towns unite to fight Giant Hogweed invasion
Four Val Saint-françois municipalities are collaborating with the MRC in a campaign to eradicate Giant Hogweed, an invasive exotic species considered dangerous to both humans and animals. Without a joint effort, it would be almost impossible to overcome the invasion of the species, which has already conquered the banks of several rivers and ditches, as well as the edges of the bike path between Racine and Valcourt. Early inventories reveal that millions of Giant Hogweed plants and an entire seed reservoir will have to be eliminated. According to experts hired for the eradication work, this represents one of the most substantial concentrations in Quebec and it will continue to spread if it isn’t stopped.
Giant Hogweed is considered a public health problem because it contains a toxic photosensitive sap that makes the skin very sensitive to UV rays and causes severe burns on the affected areas. This invasive and spectacular exotic plant can reach the height of 2 to 5 metres and competes aggressively with native species, in addition to threatening the integrity of the shoreline bands. Each mature plant produces about 20,000 seeds which are deposited in the soil and spread by waterways, threatening kilometers of shoreline. With spring flooding, seeds released in autumn spread across agricultural lands and floodplains. Seeds can survive three years before germinating.
Given the prolonged presence of the plant along rivers, its invasion has spread over nearly 22 km throughout the four municipalities. In Racine, where the species first appeared in the region, the level of invasion is major, possibly the largest population in Quebec.
The plant is very well established in the region and time is running out before it is beyond control, particularly on Brandy Creek where the plant has invaded kilometers of river banks and along the bike path between Racine and the Township of Valcourt. If no concerted action is taken, eradication efforts of some will be wiped out by the laissez-faire attitude of others, especially if the inactive municipalities are upstream from the streams from which the seeds come. It is for this reason that the four municipalities have agreed to join with a firm specialized in the eradication of the plant.
Throughout the summer, the team from Quadra Environment will be on the ground to carry out a complete inventory of the territory invaded and begin the eradication of the plant in the four municipalities concerned. Information and action taken by municipalities will be transmitted regularly to citizens and a review of the work will be presented at the end of the summer through the local and regional media.
Racine Mayor Serge Fontaine says he is worried about the situation because his territory has been heavily affected by the plant, but he is relieved by this alliance: "The consultation of the four municipalities in this file is essential for the eradication of the Giant Hogweed, which is of great concern to us and we are very proud to share our efforts to address this public health problem, but the level of invasion is such that additional financial assistance will be necessary to ensure the eradication work, which will probably take about ten years."
Citizens wishing to obtain more information about the eradication campaign may contact their local inspector. The Estrie Regional Environmental Council, which offers information sessions on the Giant Hogweed, and the Valsaint-françois MRC are also involved in the initiative.