Appendix 2A: Roadside Vegetation Management Survey
Table of Contents
Use this survey as a tool for evaluating existing roadside management practices. The results will identify strengths and weaknesses of the current approach and be a guide for shaping future roadside vegetation management practices. The survey is primarily intended to be used by an integrated roadside vegetation management steering committee. Responses can be subjective, varying widely from one person to the next. Interviewing roadside management personnel will add validity to the results.
- Existing tree and brush control
a. Maintenance of sight lines
Very good
Adequate
Inadequate
Big need
b. Maintenance of the recovery zone
Very good
Adequate
Inadequate
Big need
c. Removal of trees that present immovable objects
Very good
Adequate
Inadequate
Big need
d. Removal of hazardous tree limbs
Very good
Adequate
Inadequate
Big need
e. The amount of tree cutting in general
Well-balanced approach
Too aggressive
Negligent
f. Quality of tree and brush cutting
Clean & professional
Not too bad
Cuts are ragged and uneven, or too many branches are removed
2. Existing weed control
a. General perception of roadside weed control
Very good
Adequate
Inadequate
Big issue
Not an issue
b. The amount of roadside spraying being done
Very good
Adequate
Inadequate
Big issue
Not an issue
c. Effectiveness of roadside weed spraying
Good results
Making progress
No sign of improvement
Losing ground
d. Characterize the application of herbicides
Responsible
Inconsistent
Indiscriminate
e. Do spray crews need to cover more of the county each year?
Yes
No
Not the main concern
f. Is most weed spraying completed during May, June, and September, when spraying is most effective?
Yes
No
g. 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 weed control priorities
Automatically spray the weeds
3. Who does the roadside seeding?
A private contractor
A private contractor does large jobs
Secondary roads
Conservation
4. When is native vegetation used in roadsides? Circle all that apply.
After nearly all road projects
High-profile projects
Ditch cleanouts
Wide rights-of-way
Not at all
5. 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. Circle all that apply.)
Trucks
Tractors
Spray equipment
Chainsaws
Mowers
Seeding equipment
6. 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: ___
7. How much is the county currently spending on:
Tree and brush control: $_____
Weed control: $_____
Seeding road projects: $_____
Erosion control measure installation: $_____
Weed commissioner salary: $_____
8. Based on your overall assessment of the current roadside vegetation management approach, which of the following would you recommend?
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
None of the above (because the current approach is effective)
