WHEREAS the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has requested local governments building paths on provincial road rights-of-way to provide invasive species management plans, have work overseen by an environmental monitor and assume responsibility for invasive plant management in the permitted area in perpetuity, in addition to providing for maintenance, including any sweeping which exceeds standards outlined in road maintenance contracts; AND WHEREAS local governments are building paths to encourage people to use environmentally friendly alternatives to vehicles and should not be burdened with the costs of tasks within the jurisdiction of the Ministry, such as sweeping or ongoing invasive plant management: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM urge the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to ensure permit conditions for construction and maintenance do not provide a deterrent to local governments wishing to expand active transportation networks, by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure assuming full responsibility for the control of invasive plants on MOTI road rights of way and for maintaining adequate sweeping standards on bike lanes.
Ministry of Transportation Infrastructure The Ministry is committed to working with local Government to permit cycling and other pathways within Highway Rights of way where feasible. Each permit takes into account the unique nature of the right of way and of the path being sought and includes conditions for construction and for ongoing maintenance of the path. Where the path passes through a known area of noxious weeds, conditions for construction includes conditions for weed management, including the requirement for an appropriate environmental management plan and monitor if necessary. Similarly, any maintenance and rehabilitation activities undertaken by local government must also follow appropriate weed management practices. For clarification, the Ministry retains responsibility for noxious weed management within the highway rights of way and has an invasive weed program. This program is primarily delivered through partnership with local Invasive Species Councils. There is no intention to transfer that responsibility to local government. With respect to sweeping, most bike paths permitted by the Ministry throughout the province pass in and out of highway rights of way. The owner of the path typically has the specialized equipment needed to sweep these paths as well as the understanding of the appropriate timing and frequency for maintenance. The ministrys maintenance contractors sweeping equipment is designed for large highways and is generally not suitable for maintaining this type of pathway.