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.
Preservation and enhancement of the natural scenic quality of the roadside.
Being a Good Neighbor to the many adjoining property owners.
CLICK HERE to view the Whatcom County Integrated Roadside Management Plan.
Mowing
Mechanical brush cutting.
Roadside shoulder mowing during late spring and summer.
1900 lane miles of maintained shoulder.
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
Our crew is staffed with two state certified applicators.
The 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.