Yukon says no to herbicides along White Pass rail line

The Yukon government is telling the White Pass and Yukon Route (WPYR) railway to come up with a better plan to control vegetation along its scenic rail line, saying a proposal to spray herbicides won't cut it.

The rail company had applied to use three different chemical herbicides — Arsenal Powerline, Hasten, and Vantage XRT — to clear away weeds and scrub, and kill roots along a stretch of track between the B.C. border and Carcross.

The WPYR argued that mechanical methods to control vegetation aren't effective, and that herbicides would kill roots that can make the tracks dangerously unstable.

But Yukon's environment department decided the herbicides could threaten nearby water bodies, such as Bennett Lake. The WPYR's proposed 15-metre buffer zone for water bodies was deemed inadequate.

"The proposed method for identifying and protecting the 15-metre buffer is unsatisfactory, as it would depend on the applicators' line of sight, individual judgement and inadequate maps," Environment Yukon's decision reads.

Concerns from First Nations

The statement also points to concerns expressed by First Nations and other members of the public that the herbicides could contaminate drinking water, and harm plants and animals.

"We are not confident those concerns could be mitigated, based on the project, as proposed," the department says.

Some sections along the rail line between Skagway, Alaska and Whitehorse have already been sprayed with the herbicides. B.C. and Alaska gave their approval earlier.

Jennifer Dagg of Environment Yukon says the WPYR is welcome to come up with a different plan for Yukon. 

"The applicant has an opportunity to re-submit if they choose," she said. "They may choose to propose use of different products, for example."