• To control weedy species to prevent spread onto adjacent properties.
• To control brush species to assist with road maintenance and improve traffic safety by improving sight lines.
• To achieve the above with minimal impacts on the adjacent lands and the entire environment.
• To implement this Management Plan in a cost effective manner.
• To reduce the use of herbicides where possible.
• To carry out this Vegetation Management Plan under the guidelines set forth by the Industrial Vegetation Management Association of Alberta (industry standard) and in compliance with the  Lacombe County Weed and Brush Control Policy.

• Two state of the art roadside herbicide application units equipped with Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking and recording capabilities.
• Three roadside mowers equipped with GPS tracking and recording capabilities.

• Target specific (e.g. Garlon for brush control)
• Broad spectrum residual (e.g. Tordon for tough to control perennials)
• Low impact (e.g. Milestone for environmentally sensitive areas)

• Information is gathered and analyzed to determine the overall picture and improve the management plan.
• All activities can be recorded, including: herbicide name, spray rate, weather, application speed, area covered and herbicide used.
• Mowing areas recorded to determine cost effectiveness.

All areas of the Lacombe County road network are included in the plan. The County is divided into two distinct areas:

•  Full cut area is designated to minimize herbicide use to protect the sensitive agricultural operations it contains.
• Spray area is designated as such to take advantage of cost effective herbicides for vegetation management.

Both herbicides and mowing are used within each area, while full cut mowing is timed to achieve the greatest impact on Canada Thistle. The schedule is adjusted based on weather conditions to allow for sufficient time to complete the entire program.

Landowners can designate their lands “No Spray” areas by completing the  No Spray form and submitting it to the Agriculture department prior to April 1 of the current year. The  Lacombe County No Spray Areas Policy sets out the terms for these agreements. Please read this form carefully before contacting the Agriculture department.

This timeline accounts for the major programs. All areas of the County are covered and have controls applied to all noxious weed problems.