Vegetation Management

The primary objectives in maintenance of roadside vegetation within Whatcom County's Maintenance Area are:

  • Safety of the traveling public
  • Preservation of the road infrastructure.
  • Control of legally designated noxious weeds where they occur on the right of way.
  • Protection and preservation of natural environment.
  • Preserving and enhancing the natural scenic quality of the roadside.
  • Being a good neighbor to the many adjoining property owners.
Mowing 
 
       ◦  Mechanical brush cutting 
        ◦  Roadside shoulder mowing during late spring and summer.
        ◦ 1900 lane miles of maintained shoulder, mowed approximately 5
           times during the summer.
 
Brush Cutting Season
 
  • Fall, winter, and early spring are brush cutting seasons.
  • Mowers chop and cut the heavy brush along the right-of-way.
  • Ditches and back slopes are brushed, trees limbed and trimmed as needed.
  • Program addresses "hazard trees" in and next to the right-of-ways for public safety.

Herbicide Program

  • Crew is staffed by two state certified applicators.
  • Strip next to the pavement is treated for erosion control of the road surface by preventing encroachment of grasses and weeds. 
  • Low-growing brush and noxious weeds are treated without removing the grass, which serves as a filter for road surface water runoff. 
  • The dormant brush winter program keeps small trees and blackberries back from the road edge.
  • Applications also include signpost treatment, guardrail treatment and noxious weeds.

OWNER WILL MAINTAIN 


Property owners who do not wish to have their adjoining right-of-way treated have the option of maintaining the right-of-way abutting their property.  Agreements to this effect may be signed and "Owner Will Maintain" signs obtained from Maintenance and Operations, 901 West Smith Road between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.  There is no charge for this service.