Although the 232 Street Channel project was due to be completed at the end of March 2012, ARMS received an extension until the end of May from DFO so that a few small patches of Japanese knotweed, which were found around the channel intake pond, could be treated appropriately. Japanese knotweed is an extremely virulent invader of rural and urban environments. Some of the negative effects that occur on streamside habitat include displacing native vegetation which local wildlife and fish species rely on and creating soil erosion as Japanese knotweed does not have the fine root hairs that binds soil together preventing slippage into creeks and rivers. ARMS and environmental technicians will be out on site in the month of May to complete this removal treatment and to plant native grasses to stabilize the banks.
A big thank you to the Laityview Scouts and their leaders for their hard work and enthusiasm on 232 Street Channel!
