Wright County is gearing up for a major cleanup along its highways, to get rid of troublesome brush and weeds that can lead to maintenance hassles and driving hazards. Starting April 29, 2024, the County's Highway Department will commence its vegetation management program which seeks to promote grass cover and improve roadside visibility for drivers.
So if you've got property bordering any county highway, heads up: crews will be coming through to cut back foliage and spray herbicides. While they're at it, the vegetation work is supposed to help by preventing water retention along roadbeds, which is a problem because it can obstruct drainage ditches and even cause damage to the county's equipment. According to a notice posted on the Wright County website, all the herbicides have been given the thumbs up by both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, so they claim they're safe to use.
But not everyone is a fan of chemical treatments, right? Well, if that's you, the county's offering an out—you can maintain that strip of land yourself. Residents who prefer to go the DIY route can snag a no-spray form either by dropping by the Wright County Highway Department Building, 3600 Braddock Ave NE, in Buffalo, MN, or by shooting an email to Loren Green at [email protected], then follow through by June 1, to ensure that no brush or noxious weeds are left standing.
If you wait too long and miss the April 26 deadline to turn in that form though, your land will be on the list for the standard herbicide treatment, and remember, you've gotta post those "DO NOT SPRAY" signs clearly if you want the county workers to steer clear, otherwise, the maintenance crews will do their thing. Any further questions can be directed to the Highway Department at (763) 682-7374, so don't hesitate to give them a ring if you need to clear something up.
