ROZOL is now available for Purchase please contact Herman Michael @ (306) 222-4098

Gopher Control Program 

DEADLINE JULY 31, 2024

Download the claim form here

The purpose of the Gopher control Program is to provide financial assistance to rural municipalities to control ground squirrels (Richardson’s, Franklin’s, thirteen-lined and the Northern pocket gopher) populations.

The funding will provide a cost-shared payment to RMs, producers and other applicants that are active in their gopher control efforts and who follow the minimum level of service determined by the 2024-2025 Gopher Control Program.

Program funding will be prorated among all eligible claimants to a maximum of 50% paid for pest control product registered for use on gophers and up to $125 per raptor platform; but not exceeding 50% of total expenses reported for the claim.

The program will rebate:
   • Up to 50% of registered gopher control product expenses (less any taxes with verified invoices);
   • As part of a non–chemical means to increase predation in the vicinity of gopher infestations, the use of raptor platforms and nest boxes are eligible for:
       o Raptor platform materials installed this program at 50% of eligible cost (less any taxes with verified invoices) to a maximum rebate of $125.

The following minimum level of service is required to be considered for the Gopher Control Program rebate:
   • Copies of invoices for all expenses claimed must be included. Taxes are not eligible for rebate.

All claims must be provided to the RM office to forward on to SARM. Eligible rebate payments for applicants will flow back through the RM office they were claimed through.

Raptor platforms and nest boxes used near gopher colonies offer a cost-effective, long-term, sustainable management approach to increase predation where suitable nesting sites may be limited in the vicinity of gopher infestations.

   • RMs or other applicants claiming for the purchase of materials for each raptor platform and nest box installed in the program year must include validating invoices with the claim form.
   • Legal land descriptions or GPS coordinates to three digits must be provided for:
          o Agricultural locations where each raptor platform and nest box being claimed for is installed.
For more information regarding the Gopher Control Program please, contact the Pest Control Officer or Plant Health Technical Advisor listed below.

Download the claim form here

Claim forms can be emailed to the RM office at admin@rmvanscoy.ca

Plant Health Technical Advisor: Chelsea Neuberger, AAg, 306-380-4526, PHNdivision5@sarm.ca 

​

Invasive Plant Control Program

Under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) agreement, the Federal and Provincial governments have committed to invest $3.15 million in the Pest Biosecurity Program. SARM will continue to deliver this program until March 31, 2023 based on a 50:50 cost share. The RM is part of the CAP-IPCP Invasive Plant Control Program. The program will provide a cost shared rebate of 50:50 with the landowner and RM's to provide financial assistance to undertake and coordinate the control of Prohibited Weeds as well as specific Noxious Weeds that are persistent and problematic invasive plants.

The funding will provide rebates of no more than 50% of approved costs:

• 50% of the cost of pre-approved eligible herbicides; and

• 50% of the cost of application of those pre-approved eligible herbicides.

For noxious weeds approved under the current program (absinthe, filed bindweed, common burdock, bladder campion, ox-eye daisy, black henbane, hoary cress, hoary alyssum, leafy spurge, Russian knapwood, yellow toadflax, common tansy, wild parsnip and scentless chamomile* (with restrictions-see schedule A SARM website) and white cockle.

• Up to 50% of the cost pre-approved eligible herbicides.

The municipality appoints a Weed Inspector each year to be proactive about the spread of invasive weeds. The Weed Inspector is responsible for identifying invasive weeds based on the concept of Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR). The municipality contracts a licensed applicator for application of herbicides on specific species of noxious weeds under the Noxious Weed Act. For more information regarding the Invasive Plant Control Program please contact the Municipal Office.

Weed Inspector: Herman Michael 306-222-4098

Licensed Applicator: Phil's Lawn Service 306-361-6860