Kitsap County road crews began herbicide roadside shoulder spraying on April 4.

“We recognize the concerns residents have about spraying herbicides,” said road superintendent Jacques Dean. “We use only environmentally approved products and strict application guidelines to control vegetation.”

The county discontinued the use of glyphosate for spraying after county commissioners passed a resolution three years ago.

“Herbicide spraying is an integral part of the county’s vegetation management program,” a county news release stated. “Maintaining sight distances and ensuring signs aren’t obstructed are essential on our road system. We use mowers and other methods to help control vegetation, and the selective application of herbicides makes the other processes more efficient.”

Spraying is done sequentially by geographical area. Location maps and spray schedules are posted at kcowa.us/RoadMaint. Spraying is dependent on the weather since it can’t be done during rainfall.

“Kitsap County is committed to using the lowest effective application rate of herbicide product possible to manage roadside vegetation,” Dean said.

Trained application crews spray adjacent to pavement, around guardrails and around signposts. Most application is on heavily used arterial and collector road shoulders. It’s also used on local roads as conditions warrant.

Crews do not spray in school zones, along park frontages, along certain bus stops, in dense residential areas, in roadside ditches, or within 50 feet of a critical environmental area.

Property owners have the option to maintain vegetation in the right-of-way area adjacent to their property, county officials said.