LAKEPORT >> The Lake County Department of Public Works will soon be launching its annual “Roadside Weed Abatement Program” through the application of herbicides along certain county-maintained roads. The spraying is limited to an area no more than three feet from the edge of the pavement.
The weed abatement program works to prevent growth that could become a fire hazard, block signage or hinder a driver’s view at intersections and around corners.
“It’s a road safety program,” explained county public works director Scott De Leon.
Public works will use the general purpose herbicide Roundup Pro Max or another brand — Krouar I D F, Esplanade 200SC — for abatement purposes. The program does not aim to eradicate specific invasive weeds, although county officials do watch for certain plants.
“We have some areas where we have a vine — we call them puncture vine,” De Leon said. “We try to target that.”
Should residents or property owners with frontage along the roads designated for weed abatement desire that no herbicide application occur adjacent to their residence or property, they must contact public works prior to March 30, unless a previous request for “no spray” was submitted. Residents must also contact the department to remove an existing “no spray” status. They can be reached at (707) 263-2341.
Property owners are responsible for maintaining their frontage in such a way that does not create nuisance conditions. While property owners can request that their frontage not be sprayed, they must otherwise maintain the roadside area to avoid creating a public nuisance that could be caused by overgrown weeds.
De Leon points out that some owners prefer to use a mechanical device such as a string trimmer to prevent nuisance growth. To assist those property owners who object to spraying, the department will review their proposed maintenance plans at no charge and issue a no-fee encroachment permit to perform the maintenance as necessary.
