Roadside Mowing. Spot mowing of noxious weeds should be done as necessary to reduce propagation.

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1 Public Works Department Road and Bridge Division Roadside Mowing 1.0 Policy The primary purpose for planting and maintaining a vegetative cover on roadside areas is to prevent erosion of the soil. It is desirable to manage the vegetative growth in a manner that will create an appealing roadside for the motorist and provide protection for nesting wildlife. Mowing is an important part of the management of roadside vegetation. Roadsides are generally maintained in conformance with adjacent land use. The entire right of way may be mowed if the adjacent property is a park, cemetery, church, business or home. Spot mowing of noxious weeds should be done as necessary to reduce propagation. 2.0 Destruction of Noxious Weeds State law requires that all road authorities, including Washington County and all it s cities, shall be responsible for controlling noxious weeds on their respective highways and streets. Noxious weeds will be cut down (spot mowing) or otherwise destroyed or eradicated as often as may be necessary to prevent the ripening or scattering of seed and other propagation parts of such plants. Legislation that regulates mowing is reproduced below. Minnesota Statute, Section , affects rural areas only, not urban areas MOWING DITCHES OUTSIDE CITIES. Road authorities may not mow or till the right of way of a highway located outside of a home rule charter or statutory city except as allowed in this section and section A) On any County road, the first eight feet away from the road surface, or shoulder if one exists, may be mowed at any time. B) An entire right of way may be mowed after July 31. From July 31 to November 31, the entire right of way will be mowed if necessary for safety reasons, and may not be mowed to a height of less than 6 inches. Implemented: Original date of policy Page 1 of 5 For new policies this does not apply; for revised policies - this indicates the date the County Board approved the most recent revision.

2 C) A right of way may be mowed as necessary to maintain sight distance for safety of the traveling public. D) A right of way may be mowed, burned, or tilled to prepare the right of way for the establishment of permanent vegetative cover or for prairie vegetation management. 3.0 Urban Areas This mowing area is that which is within a town or city as defined by its perimeter of development. Frequent mowing of certain areas may be necessary and mowing the entire right of way is permitted. As a general rule, the roadside area should be maintained in a manner similar to the adjacent property and the level of development present in the area. Washington County will normally mow not more than twice per year, except where needed to maintain safety sight distance. Once during the summer, after July 31 and once just prior to snowfall in areas prone to drifting snow. Cities are welcome to mow County Road Rights of Way more frequently at their own expense, provided they enter into an agreement with the County. In some cases the County may agree to payment to the City in lieu of any mowing by the County or may enter into a General Landscaping Partnership (GLP) which addresses mowing frequency, plant/ shrub maintenance and litter control. Slopes steeper than 3:1 are difficult to maintain. A satisfactory turf is difficult to establish and the maintenance effort is time consuming and costly. These slopes will normally be overseeded with low maintenance species of grasses or plants such as crown vetch. Shrub beds may also be installed or trees. Mowing on these slopes can be eliminated if these measures are fully implemented. 3.1 Urban High Frequency Mowing by Municipalities This type of mowing is applied to a typical County Road that passes through a residential or business district. The roadside abuts private lawns or business and is conspicuous from these properties. The frequency of mowing to maintain vegetation between a height of 4 to 6 inches may be set by municipalities and will be allowed by the County. In areas covered by a GLP the County may consider more frequent mowing. 3.2 Urban Low Frequency Mowing by Municipalities The County Road may pass through a residential or business district but is separated by means of a retaining wall, noise wall, extensive landscaping or frontage road. The frequency of mowing is normally reduced to allow the Implemented: Page 2 of 5

3 vegetation to be maintained between a height of 4 to 12 inches. The local Municipality will need to make this decision. In areas covered by a GLP the County may consider more frequent mowing. 4.0 Rural Areas This mowing area is that which is outside of a town or city as defined by its perimeter of development. 4.1 General Mowing of the entire right of way is discouraged unless it is necessary to conform to adjacent land use in accordance with state statutes. Normal mowing should consist of a cut 2 swaths wide, 6 feet to 8.5 feet along the shoulder and shoulder inslope to define the edge of roadway and reduce the cover for wildlife. Animals in this zone may constitute a hazard to motorists. Ditch bottoms may be mowed to allow for proper drainage, after July 31, or to control noxious weeds at any time prescribed by law. In those years when the temperature and rainfall are above normal, it may be necessary to make the shoulder and shoulder inslope cuts three times, once in the summer, once in the mid summer and once in the fall. 4.2 Snow Drift Control Mowing for snowdrift control shall be done, as needed, after all of the growth has taken place. Normally, this is late in the fall season. 5.0 FARMER MOWING Farmers are allowed to harvest hay on the highway right of way. PARTICULAR USES OF RIGHT OF WAY; Misdemeanors. Except for the actions of the road authorities, their agents, employees, contractors, and utilities in carrying out their duties imposed by law or contract, and except as herein provided, it shall be unlawful to: (2) Plow or perform any other detrimental operation within the road right of way except in the preparation of the land for planting permanent vegetative cover or as authorized under Section Farmers are encouraged to abide by the following guidelines: A) Notify the Operations Manager prior to mowing. (One reason for notification is so the Operations Manager can inform the farmer of any chemical use for weed control). Implemented: Page 3 of 5

4 B) Keep mowing equipment off the traveled roadway. C) Mowing is delayed until August 1 in order not to disturb wildlife nesting on the roadsides. 6.0 MISCELLANEOUS MOWING 6.1 Signs, Signals and Roadmarkers Highway directional and warning signs, traffic signals and other road markers must be kept clearly visible to highway users at all times. Vegetation should not be allowed to grow so high as to obstruct a clear view of them. Approaches to signs should be mowed for approximately 500 feet if necessary for visibility. 6.2 Guardrails Vegetation should be controlled for about 1.5 feet on either side of the guardrail. This is done to reduce the trapping effect this vegetation has on sand, dirt, and snow. Sterilants, bituminous mixtures and road oils are some of the most common treatments for controlling vegetation around guardrails. 6.3 At-Grade Intersections At-grade intersections should be mowed as necessary to maintain sight distance. This mowing should be blended into the shoulder cut. 6.4 Interchanges Rural and urban interchanges may be mowed out completely. In many cases, desirable woody plants can blend with the surrounding area as long as clear zones and sight distances are maintained. 6.5 Curves Inside of curves should be mowed as necessary to maintain sight distance. 6.6 Trimming Hand trimming or herbicide application around signposts, light poles, trees and shrub beds in urban areas, intersections and interchanges produces a pleasing appearance and should be done if resources permit. 7.0 MOWING WIDTHS Vegetation should be controlled in the shoulder area for safety reasons. The mowing width is defined as 6 feet from the edge of the traveled roadway. 7.1 Shoulder In-slope Normally, the top 2 swaths of this area are sufficient (12 to 18 ft). Additional cuts may be needed to control unwanted vegetation or to maintain proper drainage. Implemented: Page 4 of 5

5 7.2 Medians Mow the entire median if the width is less than 55 feet between the inside shoulders. If the median width is greater than 55 feet, the shoulder inslope mowing criteria shall apply. 8.0 PERMISSIBLE HEIGHT OF GRASS The recommended minimum height of cut is 4 inches. It is important that all equipment be set to operate no lower than this. If grass is cut to this minimum height, it will be more resistant to the harmful effects of drought and weed infestation. Consequently, it will be in a better condition to resist erosion damage. 9.0 MOWING RESTRICTIONS Prior to mowing, all debris should be cleared from the area to be mowed. This will prevent possible damage to mowing equipment and eliminate the hazard to passing pedestrians and vehicles. Tractor-driven mowers are unsafe on slopes steeper than 3:1. These slopes require specialized slope mowing equipment. Steep slopes should generally be left unmowed. Tractor mowers should not be used in swampy areas or on unstable surfaces where roadside damage could result from wheels digging in or slipping. Mower operators should avoid cutting or hitting landscape trees and shrubs. Mowing of wildflowers and native grasses is discouraged except for shoulder mowing, sight distance mowing (site corners), spot mowing of noxious weeds and controlled burning around landscape plantings SAFE MOWING PRACTICES Responsibility Washington County Public Works Department Source Washington County Public Works Department Implemented: Page 5 of 5