To prevent wildfire, crews will treat more than 250 miles of county roadways with herbicides such as Milestone and Esplanade (pre-emergent) and Lifeline, Capstone and Magnify (post-emergent) starting this April. The herbicides used do not include glyphosate. Those who don’t want the right-of-way alongside their property treated must submit an opt-out form by April 15 and take responsibility to remove roadside vegetation themselves.
This herbicide treatment is part of the county's comprehensive wildfire mitigation and roadside vegetation management plan to reduce fire fuel along the roadsides, improving safety and emergency access.
“We are streamlining this program to help prepare us for fire season, but folks can also opt-out and choose to maintain that vegetation themselves without a spray treatment if they’d prefer,” said Board of Supervisors Chair Heidi Hall.
The County is prioritizing treatment along roadsides identified in its recent Evacuation Study.
Supervisor Sue Hoek added that herbicides are very effective. “By spraying along our roadways, we can significantly reduce the potential for wildfires to spread. It’s a cost-effective way to keep our evacuation routes clear for residents.”
The opt-out form is available through the Accela Citizens Portal at permits.nevadacountyca.gov, versus the mail or email systems used previously. If you have a current opt-out agreement with the County it will move into the new system and you will be prompted to renew 60 days before your agreement expires. Opt-out agreements are in place for two years before receiving a 60-day renewal notice.
For more details and a map of roads receiving treatment, visit NevadaCountyCa.gov/RoadsideVegetation, email Public.Works@NevadaCountyCa.gov or call 530-265-1411.