Divisions of Public Works

Road Maint. Div

Eng/Survey Div

Building Div

Solid Waste Div

Accounting

 County Fire Marshall

SKAMANIA COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS VEGETATION MANAGEMENT

April is the month for the Road Division to begin Vegetation Management along the county road rights-of-way, bridges, and ditches. The objective of the vegetation management program is to enhance safety, reduce maintenance costs, reduce fire potential, and maintain environmental protection. The Road Division’s vegetation management plan is site-specific to accommodate for the variation in county roads and surrounding environment throughout the County. The road division is able to accomplish vegetation management on 495 miles of rights-of-way through a mixture of chemical and mechanical methods.

The chemical method is the most cost effective method for vegetation management and used when other options are ineffective, unfeasible, or cost-prohibitive. Using strict guidelines to select and apply the chemicals, the road division is able to ensure the least amount of risk to the ecosystem. Some of these guidelines include the use of only EPA approved herbicides, minimized spray drift, no application within ten feet of any body of water, and the use of licensed applicators. Skamania County’s licensed applicators receive continual education and training on environmental protection measures and the proper use of the chemicals once a year. In areas where the chemical application is undesirable, the road division uses mechanical methods to maintain vegetation control.

The mechanical methods used consist of mowing, brush cutting, tree trimming, and grading. It is the policy of Skamania County to apply mechanical methods in riparian areas and in areas that are prone to soil erosion and areas in need of bank stabilization. No matter which method is used, vegetation management is a necessary and vital service the road division provides.

Vegetation management is vital for safety as it improves adequate sight distance at intersections, corners, and reduces driver monotony. Vegetation management is also a vital element to soil erosion control, slope stabilization, wetland area protection, water quality, and noxious weed control. As an aid to determine which method to use and to what extent, the rights-of-way are divided into three different zones each with its own set of vegetation management objectives.

←    →

←   →

← →

Vegetation Free Zone

Recovery Zone

Transition Zone

 

 

 

Zone 1 often called the vegetation free zone is the most critical of the three areas and is the immediate shoulder on the rights-of-way. The purpose of the vegetation free shoulder is to provide sight distance, reduce fire potential, provide surface drainage, and to prevent pavement breakup all of which is essential to the safety of motorists and pedestrians alike. Zone 2 begins at the edge of the shoulder and ends on the far side of the drainage ditches. Zone 2 often referred to as the operational or recovery zone allows for vehicle recovery, hence the name. It also helps prevent soil erosion, and accommodates underground utilities. Zone 3, called the Transition Zone begins at the edge of the recovery zone and encompasses the rest of the right-of-way. The transition zone provides for soil erosion control, slope stabilization, wetland area protection, improved water quality, wildlife habitat and a pleasurable drive for the motorist.

As an alternative to the vegetation management chemical method, Skamania County Department of Public Works offers a special right-of-way use permit to residents who wish to maintain the right-of-way along the road frontage of their property. The permit is valid for one-year and can be renewed year to year. If you are interested in obtaining a special right-of-way no spray permit or if you have any questions, or concerns please call Skamania County Public Works at 509-427-9448 or email at publicworks@co.skamania.wa.us.

No matter which zone and control method is used, the main goal is to provide for a safe passageway for motorists and pedestrians along Skamania County Roads.
The Vegetation Control page provides users with information on road side vegetation spraying schedules for areas throughout the county. 

As a land-owner you have the right to apply to Skamania County to not have your right-of-ways treated by Vegetation Control. To get information on applying for an exemption please contact Larry Douglass douglass@co.skamania.wa.us or Robert Blair blair@co.skamania.wa.us. Permit application form and rules available in PDF format  Permit Application.

Schedule

Due to changing conditions, application schedules are published the morning of the application.  Please place this page on your favorites list if these events are important to you and check it routinely.  

Property Owners may apply for a Special Right-of-Way Use Permit from the website, to request a “No Spray” area.  The information includes Skamania County’s Policy and Guidelines on “No Spray” Areas. If you have any questions or concerns, you may email Robert Blair at blair@co.skamania.wa.us or contact the Department of Public Works, 170 NW Vancouver Ave., Stevenson, WA  98648  (509) 427-3910.

2009

April 6th    Shoulders Dist #1 - Mt Pleasant area.

April 7th    Shoulders Dist #1 - Belle Center and Canyon Creek area.

April 16th  Shoulders Dist#1 - Washougal River Road

April 20th - Shoulders Dist #3 - Home Valley area.

April 21st - Shoulders Dist #2 - Carson area.

April 22nd - Shoulders Dist #2 - Stevenson/Stabler area.

April 27th - Shoulders Dist #1 - Washougal River Road area.

May 15th - Shoulders Dist #2 - Carson area.

June 1st - Noxious weed control Dist #1 - Skamania area.

June 2nd - Noxious weed control Dist #1 - Skamania area.

June 3rd - Noxious weed control Dist #2 - Stabler area.

June 8th - Noxious weed control Dist #3 - Cook-Underwood area.

June 9th - Noxious weed control Dist #1 - Mt Pleasant area.

June 10th - Noxious weed control Dist #1 - Mt Pleasant area.

June 11th - Noxious weed control Dist #1 - Mt Pleasant area.

June 23rd - Spot spray Dist #1 - Skamania area

June 24th - Spot spray Dist #3 - Cook Underwood area

June 29th - Spraying in Dist #2 - Stabler area.

July 15th - Spraying in Dist #1 - Washougal River area

July 16th - Spraying in Dist #1 - Washougal River area

July 20th - Spot Spray Dist #1 - Washougal River area

July 21st - Spot Spray Dist #1 - North Fork area

July 27th - Weed Control Dist #3 - Willard area

July 28th - Weed Control Dist #2 - Upper Wind River area

July 29th - Weed Control Dist #2 - Stabler area

July 30th - Weed Control Dist #2 - Stabler area

August 4th - Spraying Dist #1 - Belle Center area

August 5th - Spot Spray Dist #1 - Belle Center area

August 6th - Spot Spray Dist #2 - Stabler area

August 10th - Spot Spray Dist #1 - Belle Center area

August 18th - Spot Spray Dist #1 - Skye area

August 19th - Spot Spray Dist #1 - Washougal River area

August 20th - Spot Spray Dist #3 - Cook-Underwood area

August 24th - Spot Spray Dist #2 - Stevenson area

August 25th - Spot Spray Dist #2 - Stevenson area

Sept 10th - Spot spray Dist #3 - Cook-Underwood area

Sept 14th - Spot spray Dist#1 - Skamania area

Sep 15th - Spot spray Dist #1 - Skamania area

The Skamania County Weed Board continues to identify and eradicate noxious weeds throughout the county.   
The below listed herbicides are used by Skamania County. To view the product label or MSDS  (Material Safety Data Sheet) select view under the appropriate column. If you have questions please contact blair@co.skamania.wa.us for assistance. 

Labels and MSDS require Acrobat Reader. 

Herbicide Use Label MSDS
Direx 4L Shoulder residual. Keep shoulders clear of vegetation. View View
Garlon 3A Brush and noxious weed spraying View View
Garlon 4 Stump and noxious weed treatment View View
Landmark MP Shoulder grass and weed control View View
LI700 Surfactant. Helps chemicals penetrate weeds View View
Roundup Pro Shoulders and noxious weeds View View
Roundup Pro Concentrate Shoulders and noxious weeds View View
Spreader 90 Spreader/activator View View
       
       

 

 

Skamania County Central Services
Copyright 2001.
All rights reserved.
Web created by terryb@co.skamania.wa.us

By using this site, you agree to the disclaimer