Roadside herbicide application begins May 20

The annual roadside herbicide treatment in the City of Ocean Shores is scheduled to take place next week, beginning Monday, May 20. The work is weather dependent, thus subject to change.

The objective of annual application is to preserve a vegetation free strip of gravel shoulder adjacent to the pavement, to prevent vegetation from breaking down the edge of the pavement, consistent with the WSDOT Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management Plan. The work has been contracted with Woodland Resources Services, Inc, a licensed commercial applicator, and is expected to take 3-5 days.

In 2018, the City initiated a process for provide property owners the opportunity to maintain the City right of way as an alternative to having herbicide placed at the edge of pavement. Since then, a number of property owners have opted out of the roadside herbicide application by agreeing to maintain that “vegetation free strip of gravel shoulder adjacent to the pavement” in front of and/or alongside their property. Pairs of small signs reading, “Owner Will Maintain” have popped up around town.

Noon this Friday, May 17, is the deadline for anyone who would prefer to maintain the City right of way as an alternative to having herbicide placed at the edge of pavement. Interested parties can do this by completing the form posted at the City’s website, www.osgov.com, or contacting John Wagner at (360) 289-2824 to obtain a copy of the agreement.

Completed agreement forms can be emailed to jwagner@osgov.com or delivered to the Permit Office located at 801 Minard Avenue NW. Forms must be received by noon on Friday, May 17, to ensure staff has enough time to place markings at the subject property.

A link to additional information, including links to relevant herbicide Safety Data Sheets, is also on www.osgov.com.