Unwanted vegetation on the County road system can obstruct line of sight and pose concern for drivers. It can even damage the roadways by causing drainage problems.

Road Operations integrates manual, mechanical, cultural, biological, and educational techniques to manage vegetation in road right-of-way. We regularly monitor the road system to determine if and when treatments are needed.

Using a variety of methods to remove unwanted vegetation allows us to keep roadways safe while being cost-effective and environmentally responsible.

The herbicide program consists of a soil residual application, noxious weed control, and brush control.

Soil Residual Herbicides
Approximately 1,000 shoulder miles within Pierce County are maintained with the use of non-selective soil residual herbicides. Herbicide application begins in late March and continues through May. Herbicides are applied to the road shoulder to keep the area vegetation-free which improves surface drainage and extends pavement life.

Noxious Weed Control
Noxious weed control within the right-of-way starts in May and continues through August. Selective herbicides are applied to control noxious weeds on a spot-spray basis, as directed by the Pierce County Weed Control Board.

Brush Control
Selective broadleaf herbicides are applied on a spot-spray basis within the road right-of-way to control invasive vegetation species that pose or could pose sight-distance problems beginning in mid-October.

For county residents who don't wish us to use herbicide on the right-of-way in front of their property, we developed the Owner Maintain Program.

The 'Owner Maintain' program is designed to let individuals maintain the right-of-way adjacent to their property in place of herbicides. Applications are available at any County road shop throughout the year.