Committee of the Whole Report - Spear Grass

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE REPORT

TO: Committee of the Whole FROM: Jennifer Smith, Engineering Clerk DATE: June 7, 2017 MEETING DATE: June 13, 2017

SPEAR GRASS

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT this report be received for information.

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER’S COMMENTS:

I concur with the recommendation.

PURPOSE OF REPORT:

Staff received a concern of spear grass (Ripgut Brome) growing in the boulevard on Lund Road.

BACKGROUND:

“Spear grass” is a term for any one of the over 40 species of grass that grows hard, sharp seeds that stick to fur, clothes and dig into the skin. The two grasses found on Southern Vancouver Island that are most commonly referred to as spear grass are more precisely known as Ripgut Brome and Wall Barley. Neither are native species, but both have been well established for many years and are now common on Southern Vancouver Island. Spear grass is a wild plant that thrives in the type of dry soil found in throughout View Royal during the summer months.

The pointed seeds of spear grass can become tangled in animals as they walk through the grass, and if imbedded require surgery for removal. Mature spear grass can be as short as 2.5 cm (1 inch) or as tall as 60 cm (2 ft). Spear grass is harmful for dogs once it has become dried out and more easily falls from the stalks. It is a problem from late spring through the fall, when the grass has dried out and the seeds fall.

PROJECT INFORMATION:

Spear grass in the green space on Lund Road is growing over a large area, making hand removal an unlikely solution. This green space can be broken down into two areas, one protected from pedestrians by a rock wall and the other an open area, both containing spear grass:

Currently under the “Beautified Boulevard Maintenance” program, boulevard grass is cut back one metre from the sidewalk every two weeks during growing seasons. To cut further back would remove natural, beneficial species that also grow in this area. There is a sign indicating “Protected Area – Native Species Do Not Disturb” located on a streetlight along the rock wall area.

BUDGET IMPLICATIONS:

As the grass is prolific throughout the municipality, both on private and municipal property, staff recommends leaving as is with no budget implications.

ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION:

1. Post a information/warning notice on the Town website;
2. Install additional signage at a cost of $250 per sign as requested by residents;
3. Regular mowing of Town right of ways and Park spaces throughout the growing season, requiring a significant budget increase;
4. Apply a weed killer meant for grass on an as requested basis, at a cost of approximately $100/application. It should be noted weed killers can damage the environment and are less effective during the dry seasons.

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT this report be received for information.

SUBMITTED BY: Jennifer Smith, Engineering Clerk

REVIEWED BY: John Rosenberg, Director of Engineering