Spraying is cheaper than tractors?

[tallyho8]

Our highway department has decided not to use tractors to cut the grass on the roadsides anymore because it is too expensive. Now they spray herbicide and they don't care where they spray it!
I try to keep the grass cut in the ditch in front of my house but they must have thought it was too long so they sprayed it and some of my front yard. Now nothing but weeds will grow back there for the next year. I wish I knew where the head of the highway department lived. I would like to go spray his front yard.

 

[dubba]

Sounds like a good time to get those "people" involved. You know the ones that want to save the "cute little creatures" from extinction. No telling what this herbicide is doing to them or the beneficial insects/kids playing in that wetland area.

 

[SnowRidge]

Is that your property or the county's? If it is yours, why not file a vandalism complaint with LE. After all, that is what happened, in my opinion. You could also read the riot act to your elected representative, and/or file a claim against the state, county, or city that was responsible for it.

I don't imagine it happened to just you, so get with your neighbors and raise the roof together. You could also contact the news media. They love this sort of stuff.

 

[LMTC]

In our locality the township or county has control (for mowing, cutting, tree clearing, etc.) to the back side of the culvert ditch....no further. Several years ago a township employee cut an oak on the backside of my culvert, rather than trimming it. Next day two young guys were at the road attempting to load the wood....turns out he gave them addresses after he cut trees down. Turns out he was selling firewood. Township let him go, and I agreed not to bill the township for the tree. Anyhow....that's how and when I learned that they have "control" for maintenance purposes to the back side of the ditch only. After that there are processes they have to go through.

I would probably file a vandalism complaint, then go to the local DOT with the picture....maybe even a local paper. If DOT has to replace the sod, it comes out of everyone's pockets, and someone at DOT should be held accountable. Best way to do that is publicity.

 

[PBinWA]

In the NW people put up signs along the road that say "No spray". I'm not sure if the road worker's respect those signs but they are every where. Maybe you should try that next year?

 

[Kendall69]

I fixed it for you.

 

[Grrrr]

How do they lay that herbicide down? I can't imagine how it could be cheaper considering how much herbicides cost at the moment. (Or are they just really expensive in the UK?)

 

[tallyho8]

I fixed it for you.

You closed in my ditch, now my home is going to flood!!!!!!!!!

 

[tallyho8]

How do they lay that herbicide down? I can't imagine how it could be cheaper considering how much herbicides cost at the moment. (Or are they just really expensive in the UK?)

They drive by in a 5000 gallon tank truck with spray nozzles on the front that they aim (or try to aim) from the drivers seat. Chemical companies are real big in our area and they make huge political campaign contributions.

 

[tallyho8]

Is that your property or the county's? If it is yours, why not file a vandalism complaint with LE. After all, that is what happened, in my opinion. You could also read the riot act to your elected representative, and/or file a claim against the state, county, or city that was responsible for it. I don't imagine it happened to just you, so get with your neighbors and raise the roof together. You could also contact the news media. They love this sort of stuff.

Unfortunately, the highway department owns the right of way for 10 feet from the blacktop so it is their property and I can do nothing about them messing it up. But the property owners maintain this property and try to make their front yards look nice just as I had a nice St Augustine yard until this happened. "Don't spray" signs may help (if the driver can read) but since I live in a curve, all signs and mailboxes and some utility poles must be replaced several times a year due to careless drivers.

I just went trail riding in the Ozark mountains last week and noticed that they have now started spraying power lines in the Ozark National Forest instead of cutting. The beauty of the Autumn forest changing colors is marred by this destruction. I'm sure that Roundup, agent orange, 2-4D and others have their rightful place, but the overuse and misuse of these chemicals will have a profound effect on us all.