Chapter 3: Herbicide Operations
Anchor: #CHDDJAJGSection 1: Introduction to Herbicides
Anchor: #i1021874Overview
Major reasons for highway right of way vegetation management practices include:
- to maintain the integrity of the paved surface
- to prevent or reduce erosion
- to provide for the safety of the traveling public
- to provide for efficient maintenance practices
- to maintain drainage
- to provide beauty
- to provide wildlife habitat.
Figure 3-1. Edge of pavement sprayed with herbicide.
Figure 3-2. Erosion of right of way
Vegetation management along the transportation system consists of propagation and control of vegetation. Control of vegetative growth may be accomplished by a combination of physical and chemical methods. Physical methods of vegetation control include hand- pulling, hoeing, plowing, cultivating, trimming and mowing. Chemical methods include the application of approved herbicides to control specific vegetation problems. TxDOT’s herbicide program is based upon extensive research for chemicals which will provide the desired control of the target species while presenting the minimum possibility of harm to the environment, the applicator, or to the traveling public. The use of herbicides is a key element to be used in combination with physical vegetation control methods to manage right of way vegetation.
There are numerous chemicals being registered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for both agricultural (crop) and right-of-way (non-crop) situations. Some of these chemicals have proven to provide excellent benefits to the vegetation manager in over-coming and/or controlling specific vegetation problems along the transportation system.
Figure 3-3. Poorly maintained right of way.
Figure 3-4. Beautification of right of way.