Contacted to confirm citizen reports of chemical spraying in the Highway 61 right-of-way in the Lutsen area, Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) spokesman Tom Jacobson said some herbicide treatment had been conducted in Cook County the week of August 12, but no treatment is taking place at this time. However, Jacobson, the roadside vegetation manager for Mn/DOT District 1, said right-of-way clearing would continue this winter.
He said the crews working in Cook County earlier this month did some brushing in Lutsen by Cascade State Park, some in Schroeder and some near Croftville in Grand Marais, targeting aspen, balsam, and early conifers.
And yes, Jacobson said, Mn/DOT used herbicides. He said the herbicides used are Garlon 3A which has triclopyr as its active ingredient and Escort XP which has metsulfuron as its active ingredient. Jacobson said contrary to what some people think, diesel is not mixed with the herbicides. “These are waterbased, silicon-based surfactants,” said Jacobson. “Diesel has not been used by Mn/ DOT for decades.”
Jacobson said the chemicals used are much less odorous than what was used in years past, such as 24D.
Jacobson said Mn/DOT employees who are licensed by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and who undergo annual training do chemical treatment. “We try to use the most environmentally safe chemicals that will get the job done,” said Jacobson.
Asked why Mn/DOT did not post signs to alert people that chemical treatment was to be conducted, Jacobson said, “Typically we don’t encourage people to use the right-of-way for harvest. There is a safety issue with parking, pedestrians, and traffic. If anything is to be done in the Mn/DOT right-of-way, it should be permitted. If someone came to us with a request to use a rightof way scheduled for spraying, we would let them know at that time.”
Regarding people living near the Mn/DOT right-ofway who may be bothered by the herbicide spraying, Jacobson said Mn/DOT is willing to meet with those people to try to address their concerns. “We can make arrangements with chemically sensitive folks. They can be responsible for clearing the right-of-way near them. However, we have a certain criteria that must be met.”
This winter Jacobson said Mn/DOT will continue “vegetation removal,” taking up where it left off in the Lutsen area. The winter clearing will most likely be mechanical only and what sort of equipment used will depend on what is available in the district. Mn/DOT sometimes uses a hydro axe, rotary mowers, drum-style motors, or a Fecon mower. The Fecon mower is similar to the machine used by Arrowhead Electric Cooperative, Inc., which pulverizes the tree and brush debris.
Jacobson said a contractor would not do the winter
” clearing. “Our maintenance forces will be working to clear the right-of-way in the Lutsen area and south of Hovland.”
Jacobson said the reasons for right-of-way clearing are many. One reason is to reduce the shade on the highway, which makes the snow and ice melt faster, reducing the need for road salt. “The more we keep the brush back, the less shade we have and the less salt we need to use. That benefits everyone.”
Trees and brush blocking the sight distance for cars entering the highway must also be removed for safety reasons. And trees in the right-of-way can be especially hazardous if a vehicle does leave the roadway. “Basically, northern Minnesota has some rather steep slopes. When cars run off the road, there are not supposed to be hazards there for them to run into. We’re trying to clear off all the tree species on the in-slope.”
Finally, Mn/DOT is working to remove trees weakened by disease or attack by insects such as the aspen leaf minor or Dothichiza canker disease. Also, mature birch trees on the North Shore are dying and ready to fall. Jacobson said Mn/DOT wants to get hazardous trees down now so they don’t impede trafficin ice or windstorms. “We want to ensure that emergency vehicles can get where they need to go in those circumstances,” he said.
“Trees have a place,” said Jacobson, “just not on the shoulder of the road.”
Anyone with questions about Mn/DOT’s vegetation management plan may contact Jacobson at (218) 725- 2778.
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