Pierce County’s integrated roadside vegetation management program, which includes overhead tree trimming, roadside mowing, native plant establishment and herbicide treatments, is starting for the 2008 growing season.
The roadside herbicide application, which is expected to begin March 10, utilizes federal and state approved herbicides in coordination with mowing and brushcutting to manage vegetation within the road right-of-way.
Using herbicides to control vegetation is a cost effective vegetation management practice and has been used successfully for several years by Pierce County Public Works and Utilities, Road Operations Division.
The herbicide application program provides these benefits:
— Improves pedestrian and motorist safety by increasing sight distances
— Reduces fire danger in the dry months
— Optimizes storm water drainage in open ditches
— Helps control and eliminate noxious weeds in the road right of ways
— Prevents the spread of non- native species
— Encourages native plant species that are beneficial for water quality and aesthetics.
The initial application of herbicides for road shoulders will continue through June. Selective noxious weed and brush control applications are scheduled to start in mid April and will continue through the end of November as needed.
Property owners may maintain the right of way adjacent to their properties under a special maintenance agreement with the county. The “Owner Will Maintain” agreement must be renewed each year and a sign indicating participation in the program must be prominently displayed by the property owner prior to the application of herbicides.
Agreement applications and signs are available at the following road maintenance shops:
— Elk Plain Shop, 23101 Mountain Highway E. (253) 798-4980
— Purdy Shop, 13209 Goodnough Drive (253) 798-4949
Puyallup Shop, 10411 John Bananola Way E. (253) 798-3842
— Lakewood Shop, 9515 39th Ave. Ct. S.W. (253) 798-4972