VAN BUREN COUNTY, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The Van Buren County Road Commission announced this week that a brush spraying program for invasive species is being launched.
Officials say the North Webster, Indiana-based company The Daltons has been contracted for the purposes of spraying certain roads to maintain safe roadside vision.
Additionally, the Zeeland, Michigan-based company Right Way Control Services will be spraying certain roadsides containing the invasive phragmites and Japanese knotweed.
Officials say the need for controlling these invasive species is crucial, as roads are high-risk sites for the introduction and spread of invasive species. Transporting seeds and plant parts by vehicles often causes them to be introduced to other locations.
In addition, officials say road maintenance operations often inadvertently transport seeds, soil, and vegetation fragments up and down the road system.
Information regarding the invasive species herbicide treatment may be requested by contacting Doug Suttor, Manager of Right Way Control Services at (616) 403-3983.
Locations to be sprayed include identified invasive species areas, as well as brush control at intersections and other selected areas within the county road right-of-ways. They do not include platted or urban areas, orchards and grape vineyards, and certified organic farms that have been registered on the Michigan Specialty Crop Site Registry (DriftWatch).
Property owners may request to be omitted from the program by completing an application form. However, they must agree to accept the responsibility for maintaining the roadside area by the cutting of all roadside weeds, brush and low hanging limbs.
They must be a minimum distance of 15 feet off the traveled portion of the road and 15 feet above the road surface.
To request an application form, contact the Van Buren County Road Commission at 269-674-8011, Extension 236, or via email at VBCRC@vbcrc.org.
Officials said the work was to begin around September 8 and end around October 15, but WWMT reported Wednesday that the work is now scheduled to start next week.
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