T’Sou-ke First Nation is calling on the B.C. government to address an ongoing knotweed infestation in Sooke River.
“Despite repeated efforts from local organizations, the District of Sooke, the CRD, and our Nation to bring attention to this issue, the province has yet to take meaningful action. This is unacceptable,” writes Chief Lawrence Underwood in a letter addressed to Minister of Forests Ravi Parmar and Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship Randene Neill.
Underwood called on the province to act by responding to the Nation’s request for a pesticide use permit or to undertake the work themselves to “combat this crisis before it becomes irreversible.”
Knotweed is an invasive plant that readily establishes on stream banks, lakeshores, gravel bars, and other open areas, displacing native vegetation, degrading water quality and aquatic habitats by eroding stream banks and reducing access to water for wildlife.
In his letter, Underwood explained that knotweed was first identified in the Sooke River in 2019 and has since grown expeditiously.
“Knotweed, in case you don’t know, is one of the most pernicious, remarkably resilient and dangerous plants. It goes under concrete, it’s highly difficult to eradicate,” said Sooke Coun. Jeff Bateman.
Now, Underwood fears the plant may threaten salmon habitats, infrastructure and the overall ecological health of the river.
“The impact on salmon populations is particularly concerning, as the Sooke and Charters Creek salmon runs are not just an environmental asset but a critical cultural and economic resource for our community, and the entire southwest coast of Vancouver Island,” Underwood writes.
During the April 7 council meeting, Bateman brought Underwood’s letter to council for discussion and explained that the district proceeded with a request to use pesticides to eradicate the plant in May 2024.
“The province's reply to date has been, ‘With the realignment of functions between Ministries of Forests and Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, the jurisdictional responsibility for aquatic and riparian areas and the authority to address invasive species is under review,” explained Bateman.
“They went on to say they are working with senior managers to facilitate this as quickly as possible.”
No action has been taken since by the provincial government, to the great displeasure of the T’Sou-ke First Nation, especially as the infestation continues to spread with new colonies establishing downstream, compounding the damage.
“We are deeply disappointed in the lack of urgency from the provincial government in addressing this invasive species,” writes Underwood.
“Knotweed is widely recognized as a top-priority invasive species for eradication across Canada, yet the Sooke River infestation continues to be overlooked.”
During the council meeting, Coun. Kevin Pearson highlighted his past efforts to raise the alarm to other relevant authorities, including Alicia Fraser, the CRD GM of Infrastructure and Water Services.
“I tried to sound the alarm bells that it is not very far from Sooke Lake, this is a very dangerous invasive species,” said Pearson.
Ultimately, Sooke council unanimously voted to direct staff to write the relevant ministers to support a response to T’Sou-ke Nation’s request for a pesticide use permit to eradicate knotweed in the Sooke and Charters rivers.
