Meeting ahead on vegetation management policy

May 24, 2007

Wahkiakum County commissioners are ready to adopt a revised policy for managing roadside vegetation, and they’ve scheduled a meeting in June to present it to the public.

The policy outlines steps the county will take to manage roadside vegetation. The use of herbicides has drawn opposition over the years, and Public Works Director Pete Ringen said there have been some changes in response to comments from the public. These include:

—New language outlining how the county will try to reseed bare ground as soon as possible;

—New language noting that some roads may be mowed three times a season, while others may not be mowed at all;

—New language stating, “As a general policy, herbicides will not be applied unless they are needed.”

—New language noting “small tributary streams with flowing water should be treated as sensitive areas.”

“I feel the policy represents current practice,” Ringen commented.

The policy continues to allow property owners to enter into a written agreement with the county stating they will be responsible for maintaining vegetation control on their roadside property.