Eaton County Road Commission Roadside Brush & Tree Limb Control

Roadside Brush and Tree Limb Control Promotes Traffic Safety
Roadside Management Policy Focuses on Traffic Safety Maintaining the safety of county roads by controlling potential hazards like brush and tree limb growth along shoulder areas within rights of way is the priority of the Eaton County Road Commission's roadside management policy.

Controlling Brush Growth Makes Roads Safer
A wider shoulder area gives motorists more space to escape potential traffic crashes, improves sight distances and creates openness for driving ease and less eye strain. The roadside also furnishes space for snow removal and storage and provides an area allowing for proper road drainage. Brush could invade roads if left unchecked.

Three Ways to Control Roadside Brush and Branches
Crews clear obstructions by mowing or using another mechanical device, hand-cutting and spraying with herbicides. Chemicals are used in rough or inaccessible areas where hand-clearing and mowing would be hazardous.

Guidelines for Roadside Vegetation Removal
Clear zone limits specified for paved roads without curbs and unpaved roads. The part of the roadside cleared of vegetation is the clear zone. The clear zone limit for paved roads without curbs is at least 10 feet from the edge of the traveled way (where the shoulder begins). For unpaved roads, the limit is at least six feet from the edge of the traveled way.
Outside residential development areas at unpaved roads and paved roads without curbs, brush should be cleared at least to the centerline of the ditch or 10 feet from the edge of the traveled way, whichever is greater. The clear zone for both paved roads without curbs and unpaved roads outside residential areas should extend to the right-of-way line where possible without the property owner objecting.

Clear zone limits for special areas may be extended.
Clear zone limits may be extended beyond the minimums where necessary at intersections
Sharp horizontal curves
Areas of steep side slopes, and
Other areas identified by engineering evaluation.

Studies Show Krenite is Safer Than Caffeine or Aspirin
The Brush Spraying Program utilizes Krenite, a chemical accepted by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for use on road systems. Toxicological studies of both long-term effects and short-term, high-level exposures show Krenite is safer than caffeine and aspirin. Information on Krenite is available at the Eaton County Road Commission. The county road commission contracts with a specially trained, licensed professional to spray the roadside with Krenite safely and effectively.

Not All County Roadsides will be Sprayed
Crews spray only along county roads where existing brush and tree limbs could obstruct vision, create drainage obstructions or cause snow removal or icing problems. Selected areas sprayed are within rights of way outside platted subdivisions. Brush lower than 15 feet high is sprayed except at residential lots and improved lawn areas.

Not all Eaton County Township roadsides are sprayed annually. The Eaton County Road Commission sprays roadside brush in four townships each year, from mid-August through September. With 16 townships in the county, townships get sprayed every four years.

Property owners can opt out of the program by obtaining "No Spray Permits" from the road commission by July 1 each year if they are chemical-sensitive or want to clear the roadside themselves. There is no need to spray if property owners cut their own limbs and brush. Property owner participation in the roadside program is encouraged.