County Vegetation Management Survey

County Vegetation Management Survey thompsbb Thu, 03/21/2024 - 11:55

Use this survey as a tool for evaluating existing roadside management practices. The results will identify the program’s strengths and weaknesses, and be a guide for shaping the direction of the program’s future management practices. The survey is primarily intended to be used by an IRVM steering committee. Responses can be subjective, varying widely from one person to the next. Interviewing roadside management personnel will add validity to the process.

Rate each of the following by circling all responses that apply.

Tree and brush control
- Maintenance of sight lines
  - Very good
  - Adequate
  - Inadequate
  - Big need
- Maintenance of recovery zone
  - Very good
  - Adequate
  - Inadequate
  - Big need
- Removal of trees that present immoveable objects
  - Very good
  - Adequate
  - Inadequate
  - Big need
- Removal of hazardous tree limbs
  - Very good
  - Adequate
  - Inadequate
  - Big need
- Amount of tree cutting in general
  - Well-balanced approach
  - Too aggressive
- Quality of tree and brush cutting
  - Clean & professional
  - Not too bad
Weed control
- General perception of roadside weed control
  - Very good
  - Adequate
  - Inadequate
  - Big issue
  - Not an issue
- Amount of roadside spraying being done
  - Very good
  - Adequate
  - Inadequate
  - Big issue
  - Not an issue
- Effectiveness of roadside weed spraying
  - Good results
  - Making progress
  - No sign of improvement
  - Losing ground
- Characterize the application of herbicides
  - Responsible
  - Inconsistent
  - Indiscriminate
- Do spray crews need to cover more of the county each year?
  - Yes
  - No
  - Not the main concern
- Is most weed spraying completed during May, June and September when spraying is most effective?
  - Yes
  - No
- When a landowner complains about roadside weeds, but the weeds in question are not considered much of a problem, do you...
  - Take advantage of the opportunity to explain the county’s IRVM program and weed control priorities
  - Automatically spray the weeds
Who does the roadside seeding?
- Private contractor
- Private contractor does large jobs
- Secondary roads
- Conservation
When is native vegetation used in roadsides?
- After nearly all road projects
- High profile projects
- Ditch cleanouts
- Wide rights-of-way
- Not at all
Equipment needs
Consider working condition, current technology, appropriateness and availability of each of the following and recommend what equipment needs to be replaced or added.
- Trucks
- Tractors
- Spray equipment
- Chainsaws
- Mowers
- Seeding equipment
Number of employees with:
- Weed control as primary responsibility during spray season
- Brush control as secondary responsibility year-round
- Herbicide applicator certification
- Chainsaw and boom mower experience
- Vegetation management knowledge/background
- Native plant establishment/management experience
- Prescribed burn experience/certification
How much is the county currently spending on:
- Tree and brush control
- Weed control
- Seeding road projects
- Erosion control measure installation
- Weed commissioner salary
Based on the responses to these questions, which of the following are recommended?
- Hire a full-time professional roadside manager
- Hire a 9-month assistant roadside manager
- Hire more seasonal help
- Hire better-qualified seasonal help
- Free up more existing personnel for roadside management
- All of the above