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.

 

[SnowRidge]

Then your only solution is political action. You and others need to make sure your elected officials understand that spraying in that manner is not acceptable, and you will hold them accountable.

Easy to say, tough to do, I know.

 

[tallyho8]

Then your only solution is political action. You and others need to make sure your elected officials understand that spraying in that manner is not acceptable, and you will hold them accountable. Easy to say, tough to do, I know.

If I lived on a parish road it would be a lot easier dealing with the locals but since I live on a state highway the state officials are he** to deal with. One phone call got me "He's new on the job but he will learn how to operate the sprayer better in time".

 

[D7E]

If i run 300hp tractor with 40ft cultivator for several passes or spray roundup twice to keep a field all clean for a summer the price is about the same i would say that the "tractor " is maybe the cheaper option 6-8 gallons an acre or $3 an acre for chemical + 5-6 gals of fuel (lighter work) ,But the herbicide always has the best results ?

 

[California]

Wow! A bunch of new environmentalists! I think experiences like yours is what makes more of them (us).

Actually tallyho8 I'm sorry to see that happened to you.

Long ago we had a big spray related controversy up in Humboldt County (where the back-to-the-earth types went when the 60's were over). A hippie lady, pregnant and carrying a small child and identifiable by her traditional long granny dress was sprayed mercilessly, drenched with Roundup or something, on a bridge where she couldn't escape. This was done by a yahoo working for the highway department. It was in the papers for a long time since it emphasized the huge difference between the 'spray won't hurt you' farm boys with their sense of humor, and her desire to live a life free of synthetic chemicals.

I doubt she was very political before that, but this may have been the origin of one of those tree huggers you see in the news.

 

[SnowRidge]

Wow! A bunch of new environmentalists! I think experiences like yours is what makes more of them (us).

Actually tallyho8 I'm sorry to see that happened to you.

Long ago we had a big spray related controversy up in Humboldt County (where the back-to-the-earth types went when the 60's were over). A hippie lady, pregnant and carrying a small child and identifiable by her traditional long granny dress was sprayed mercilessly, drenched with Roundup or something, on a bridge where she couldn't escape. This was done by a yahoo working for the highway department. It was in the papers for a long time since it emphasized the huge difference between the 'spray won't hurt you' farm boys with their sense of humor, and her desire to live a life free of synthetic chemicals.

I doubt she was very political before that, but this may have been the origin of one of those tree huggers you see in the news.

I hope the individual that sprayed her was prosecuted. That sort of thing should not be tolerated, whatsoever.

 

[MikeD74T]

tallyho8, Looking at your picture I can see dead tall grass around the pole & in the ditch. I see green mowed grass in front of the pole. Is it fair to say that if you maintained the ditch the same way as the lawn that it would have never been sprayed? It looks like the sprayer was started & stopped occasionally as opposed to spraying continuously for miles. Also the overspray is deeper on your lawn than beyond. Did the driver pull closer to the ditch to let traffic by? MikeD74T

 

[kossetx]

IMHO some people can't stand to see something nice or are to stupid to think it through or care. My county mowed down a crepe myrtle I had planted even though I always maintain the area perfectly with 2" grass cutting, weedeating and landscaping. It is a triangular shaped piece of land on a 90 degree curve in the road that is county land, but is directly in front of my gate.

I feel for you brother! Sorry it happened.

BTW, If you read the chemical companies and university ag studies indicate spraying is cheaper than mowing. Wonder who funds a lot of these projects?

 

[tallyho8]

tallyho8, Looking at your picture I can see dead tall grass around the pole & in the ditch. I see green mowed grass in front of the pole. Is it fair to say that if you maintained the ditch the same way as the lawn that it would have never been sprayed? It looks like the sprayer was started & stopped occasionally as opposed to spraying continuously for miles. Also the overspray is deeper on your lawn than beyond. Did the driver pull closer to the ditch to let traffic by? MikeD74T

Mike, I am sure you are correct in the fact that if I had properly groomed the grass in the ditch, they probably wouldn't have sprayed. Though I keep it cut most of the year, this happened in the end of August and I am physically unable to operate a weedeater during these extremely hot days.

He probably adjusted the sprayer up to spray around the pole, but since he was traveling 20 mph, he didn't have time to lower it till he passed my property. The strange part is they don't spray in front of wooded areas or non-residential property. They only spray in front of our homes to "help us" keep it "neat".

I had thought about putting culverts in so I could mow the area with my lawn tractor but since 2 cars a year usually go in that ditch it acts as a safety barrier for my home, even though my home sits back 200' from the road.

 

[schmism]

just because you mow the grass does not make it yours.

i wouldnt be surprised if there is a 10-20' ROW next to the road.

which means its there grass that you cut.

so while it may look like your front yard is now craptastic..... it was never YOUR yard to begin with so any "complaints" are likely going to fall on def ears anyway.

 

[mwechtal]

just because you mow the grass does not make it yours.

i wouldnt be surprised if there is a 10-20' ROW next to the road.

which means its there grass that you cut.

so while it may look like your front yard is now craptastic..... it was never YOUR yard to begin with so any "complaints" are likely going to fall on def ears anyway.

A right of way does not mean that the state owns the land. In fact, I'm sure that the homeowner paid for that portion of land, and pays taxes on that portion of land. The right of way just gives the state the right to use the land. However, I'm sure the rights the state has vary widely from state to state.

Mike