County roadside program reports 2,200-gallon reduction in spray use and 26 acres of native plantings

Griffin Spaler, Blackhawk County roadside manager, told supervisors on June 9 that the county’s roadside vegetation program is showing measurable reductions in chemical volume and expanding native plantings.

"In that area in 2024 we sprayed almost 6,000 gallons of mixed applied chemicals... and so far this year, we've only sprayed 3,620 gallons. So, we've seen a reduction so far of 2,200 less gallons applied to the rightways," Spaler said, framing the data as an early success for the program. He explained that the program has shifted treatment priorities away from trees toward problem weeds such as poison hemlock, wild parsnip and Canada thistle to protect clear zones and roadway safety.

Spaler told the board the program has planted about 26 acres of native prairie in road rights-of-way, including a 16-acre roadside prairie project and other corridor plantings. He said staff expect continued reductions in chemical use and hope to reach a more manageable statewide workload within several years: "hopefully in another 5 years we'll be able to see a significant reduction and more manageable state where we could possibly cover the whole county in one year." Board members asked what would happen if the county stopped spraying and requested metrics (miles or square feet) for planted areas; Spaler reiterated safety concerns and the need for targeted control to prevent deeply rooted invasive species from moving into clear zones.

The board did not take action on program funding at the meeting but heard that the county has committed to training and to expanding county staff certification for related roadside work.