(Juneau) Overgrown roadside vegetation in Dodge County is being dealt with. The county’s highway department has begun spraying all county roads and the northern one-third of its state roads to eliminate invasive species.
Highway Commissioner Brian Field says these noxious weeds can pose significant health risks to highway workers, emergency responders, or anyone using the roadway.
“[It’s] causing great concern not only along roadways but for the agricultural community,” says Field. “And some of them are very noxious and health hazards. Wild parsnip is one in particular that’s a health hazard to anybody that comes into contact with that plant during certain times of the year. It can be very harmful to people.”
Field says their staff have been trained and certified in applying EPA certified herbicides. He adds that the herbicides they will be using are plant specific and will not hurt native plants and grasses.
Roads being sprayed include all of USH 151, I41, STH 26 (Juneau to Waupun), STH 28, STH 33 (Beaver Dam to STH 73), STH 67 (North of STH 33), STH 49, STH 68, and STH 175. No town roads will be sprayed.
he following herbicide formula is to be used:
Herbicide EPA Reg # Active Ingredient Application Rate
Plateau 241-365 Imazapic 4 oz/Acre
Milestone 62719-519 Aminopyralid-potassium 5 oz/Acre
Escort XP 432-1549 Metsulfuron 1 oz/Acre
MSO Exempt Surfactant/Drift Control 16 oz/Acre
Organic growers are encouraged to contact the Dodge County Highway office with concerns and questions regarding this program at (920) 386-3650 Monday – Thursday.
