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.

  1. 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)