Stearns County Highway Department to Start Roadside Spraying

(KNSI) – The Stearns County Highway Department will soon begin tending to roadside vegetation along all of the county’s highways.

A press release from the county says unwanted brush and noxious weeds will be cut or treated with herbicide. Property owners whose land is abutting county roads can use alternative methods by filling out a spraying exemption form and returning it to the Highway Department.

Before May 15th, property owners are asked to post do not spray signs on the backslope, starting and ending at the areas they do not want to be treated. Brush and weeds must be removed by June 15th and maintained after that. If the brush and weeds are not removed, the county will treat that area as part of the vegetation management program.

The brush and weeds are removed to promote grass growth along the roadside. Stearns County explains that brush and weeds can become overgrown and obscure visibility and cover road signs. It can also cause water to pond and obstruct ditches which could damage equipment.

If property owners would like the county to do the maintenance, crews will take care to avoid sensitive areas adjacent to the right-of-way, such as tree plantations, ornamental plantings, crops, gardens, front yards, lakes, and streams.

Find a spraying exemption form by clicking here. Stearns County asks the forms be returned to:

Stearns County Highway Department
P.O. Box 246
St. Cloud, MN 56387-0246

The Stearns County Highway Department can also be reached at 320-255-6180 to answer any questions.

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