Vegetation Management Projects

Roadside Vegetation Control - Herbicide Treatment and "Opt-Out" Agreements

The County Road Maintenance Division oversees vegetation management within designated right-of-way on county-maintained roads. Throughout any given season, crews will trim and remove trees, brush, and weeds for fire safety and preparedness.  Vegetation management also includes herbicide treatment within the right-of-way. Approximately 255 miles of county-maintained roadways are treated with herbicide throughout the year. 

View county roads treated with herbicide here.

Herbicides used are, but not limited to, Milestone and Esplanade (pre-emergent treatment) and Lifeline, Capstone and Magnify (post-emergent treatment). Herbicides used do not include glyphosate.

This work is ongoing throughout the seasons. Please see the tentative schedule below:
December 2025: Scotts Flat Road, Scotts Valley Road, Willow Valley Road, Clover Valley Road, Fay Road, Wolf Creek Road, Allison Ranch Road, Rainbow Road, Birchville Road, Cougar Court, Adamson Drive, Woodacre Road, Inspiration Lane, Tiger Tail Road, Trotter Road, Buck Ridge Road, Bobcat Court, Jaguar Court, Leopard Court, Panther Court, Cruzon Grade Road, Cement Hill Road, Wolf Drive, Jones Bar Road, Daniels Way.

Roadside Vegetation Control Agreement - "Opt-Out" Agreement

Property owners within Nevada County may request that the Department of Public Works not apply herbicide treatment within the right-of-way adjacent to their parcel/property by applying for a Roadside Vegetation Control Agreement. This agreement allows owner/applicants to opt-out of the herbicide treatment program.

By submitting the Roadside Vegetation Control Agreement, the applicant agrees to control the vegetation along all roadsides adjacent to the legal land descriptions listed in the submitted Agreement. If there is an identified lack of vegetation control, the Department of Public Works reserves the right to perform control measures on the roadside vegetation after consultation with the applicant.

 The Agreement does not cover brush and/or tree control measures, which remain the responsibility of the Department of Public Works. Noxious invasive weeds are exempt from this Agreement and will be eradicated upon identification. For further definition of noxious invasive weeds please refer to:

Noxious Invasive Plants | Nevada County, CA 

CDFA - Plant Health - Encycloweedia: Data Sheets for California Noxious Weeds (does not include “C” rated weeds).

Please allow up to 4 weeks for new signs or sign replacements to be installed. This Agreement will expire two (2) years from the date of issuance.

Agreement Application

Roadside Vegetation Control Agreements are now available via Accela ACA. This is the preferred method for submitting an Agreement.

To submit an Agreement online, you must first create an account or log in to an existing Accela ACA account. Once logged in, select "Public Works" and, under the "Permit Type" option, select "Roadside Vegetation Control Agreement."

Roadside Vegetation Control Agreement - PDF. Please email completed Agreements to Public.Works@nevadacountyca.gov or mail to:

Department of Public Works
950 Maidu Avenue
Nevada City, CA 95959

Contact the Department of Public Works for questions at Public.Works@nevadacountyca.gov or (530) 265-1411.

Vegetation Removal 

CEQA

Project Overview

The County of Nevada conducts roadside vegetation clearing along County maintained roads under the California Quality Act Guidelines (CEQA). Each year, the Department of Public Works compiles an invitation to bid for the roadside vegetation removal project. This contractor awarded project is in addition to the vegetation removal that the Department of Public Works Road Division completes each year.  

2025 Roadside Vegetation Removal Project
2025 - Awarded to P31 Enterprises, Inc. (Contract extended through June 2026.)

FEMA

Project Overview

The County of Nevada Community Fire Mitigation Project seeks to minimize the impacts of large wildfires and allows firefighters a safer working environment to more effectively combat catastrophic wildfires through vegetation management to reduce fire severity, intensity and rate of spread. The project will support the reduction of hazardous vegetation, while promoting a healthy ecosystem. The primary goal of this strategy is to enhance public safety and improve the effectiveness of fire suppression through increased hazardous mitigation along critical evacuation routes. 

Scope of work includes a joint partnership between Nevada County, Town of Truckee and Truckee Fire Protection District in order to mitigate wildfire hazards in a whole community approach. The goal shall be attained through the Roadside Vegetation Management Program.

Schedule

Brush clearing is estimated to commence Spring 2026.

Funding

Environmental Review

More information can be found in the County of Nevada's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).