Officials respond to complaints

Herbicide for roadways ‘safe,’ says DOT

A concerned resident quietly removed this label from a canister on board a DOT vehicle as spraying was underway several weeks ago.

Thank you for contacting the NC Department of Transportation regarding roadside vegetation in Pamlico County. NCDOT utilizes industry-approved techniques to control the undergrowth of small trees, bushes and grass along the roadsides. Mowing is the primary tool used by the Department to control this type of vegetation. However, when vegetation becomes too dense to mow or when mowing does not keep safety sight lines open, we utilize herbicides specifically formulated to control the limbs and stems to which it is applied. The herbicides are approved for use by the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and we regularly monitor post application impacts.

Good roadside vegetation management improves the area designated as the “safety or clear recovery zone” by moving the vegetation away from the road and allowing daylight to facilitate melting of snow and ice. The Federal Highway Administration encourages the establishment and maintenance of “Clear Zones” as they can increase the likelihood that a vehicle running off the road results in a safe recovery rather than a crash.

David Daniels, who manages forestland owned by his father Bud, reported damage to several White Oaks, which are among numerous trees – originally planted well off the state-owned right-of-way – near Alligator Loop Road in Stonewall. “I planted them when they were one-foot saplings about four years ago,” said Daniels, adding that he used PVC ‘tree tubes’ to ensure their survival. Daniels recently tracked down Greg Rayburn in the Department of Transportation at (252) 830-3146. “Thus far they seem to be very cooperative,” chuckled Daniels, “but I haven’t gotten anything in writing yet.”

Of the two methods, spraying is the most cost effective approach to managing the safety recovery zone and ensuring safe sight distances. We realize this treatment results in discoloration, which you are currently observing, but usage is environmentally safe and fiscally responsible. The impact is temporary and will diminish with the first frost.

Please find the responses to the questions that were submitted.

1. What is the chemical that was sprayed?

Triclopyr 3
Krenite
Surfactant

Compadre (drift control)

2. How much was sprayed (in gallons)?

2,093.5 gallons of Krenite
907.6 gallons of Triclopyr 3
114.1 gallons of surfactant
15.3 gallons of Compadre Drift Control

3. Why was it sprayed?
There are two choices to control brush: mechanical and herbicidal.

Mechanical control methods have not provided long-term control of vegetation, so a professional decision was made to utilize herbicide control methods.
The herbicide method will provide sufficient vegetation management for four to five years. Additional control measures will not have to occur until this time period is complete.

4. Who authorized the spraying?

NCDOT Division personnel followed an integrated roadside vegetation management approach to determine the course of treatment.

5. Was there a review process used to make the decision to spray?
Yes. The Department reviews the benefits of each vegetation control method and then evaluates public safety, environmental impacts, and cost to determine the best control method to use.

6. Who was involved in that review process to spray (if there was one)?

NCDOT Division Management
NCDOT Division Roadside Environmental Engineer
NCDOT Central Roadside Unit.

7. Was there any concern for the environmental effects of the spraying?
Products used in this application are approved by the EPA, which evaluates them using over 120 different biological, toxicological and environmental tests before releasing them for industry use. If a product fails any of these tests, it is not approved for use or labeling. In addition, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services must approve products before they can be sold in our state.

The Department applied the herbicide products in accordance with the herbicide usage labels.

8. Was a cost benefit analysis conducted?
The Department evaluated the cost associated with mechanical vs herbicide management options in the control of vegetation along the highways of North Carolina. Mechanical methods will provide effective control for one to two years while herbicide methods will provide control for four to five years.

In order to provide a safe travel way for North Carolina citizens for the best cost benefit, the use of herbicides proved to be an economical and efficient means to control the vegetation.

9. What are the potentially detrimental effects on algae, fish, shrimp, crabs, and oysters?
There were no in-water applications; therefore, this application will have no adverse effects upon aquatic organisms. If in-water application were necessary, the Department would use the appropriate herbicide product labeled for aquatic usage.

10. Were these potentially detrimental effects considered in the decision to spray?
Yes.

11. Are the parties responsible for the spraying liable for defoliation that occurred on private property?
The Department of Transportation is tasked with maintaining a safe and reliable transportation system. The control of vegetation has proven that if left unmanaged the vegetation will result in unsafe conditions for the traveling public. It is not the intent of the Department to engage in any maintenance activity that will result in damage to adjacent property owners and thus takes all precautions to avoid any damage that would devalue adjacent property.

Submitted by Brian Rick, Public Information Officer
District 2 & 3, N.C. Department of Transportation