Roadside Weed Program

General Guidelines & Requirements

Any person, group or company may adopt a section of County Road for the purpose of pulling roadside weeds.  The normal minimum road segment adopted is a one (1) mile section. In certain situations, the 1-mile minimum may be modified.

The Permit

A permit must be filled out and returned to the Deschutes County Road Department for approval. The permit is good for one year or three years, with an option to renew.  Once your Permit has been approved, you will receive a letter from the Road Department informing you of the approval.  You may cancel your Permit at any time by telephone or by letter.  If you decide to cancel, you will receive a letter confirming the cancellation and requesting the return of vests, bags and any signs in your possession.  The Road Department may cancel the permit for failure to comply with the safety requirements and/or failure to keep the adopted section of road weed free.

Liability Release Form

Each applicant will be required to sign a Liability Release form, which releases the County from any liability of an accident or property damage while you are weeding the adopted section of road.

Safety

Before weeding commences, you must contact this department to set up a date and a time to attend a Safety Training Program.  All participants in the Program must attend a Safety Training Class. At that time, you will be given yellow bags and orange safety vests, which will be kept in your possession while you are participants in the Program.  When you attend the Safety Training Program, you will be informed how  to weed the road safely and what to do if you find medical, chemical or hazardous materials. The training involves approximately one hour of your time. No tests will be given after the training.  The minimum age requirement is 16 years old. No one under 16 shall be at the clean-up site.  While performing the weeding activity, everyone must stay on the same side of the road at the same time ...YOU MUST NOT HAVE PEOPLE WEEDING ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ROAD AT THE SAME TIME.  For your safety, orange vests are provided for your use. The vests must be worn at all times by everyone participating in the weeding activity.  For safety purposes, the Road Department provides a set of "NOXIOUS WEED PULL IN PROGRESS" signs. Signs shall be picked up either at the main office or at one of the other locations provided prior to weeding. The signs must be returned to the same location when you have finished weeding.

WEED PICKUP

When you have completed weeding, contact this office at (541) 388-6581, inform the department of the name of your adopted road and the location of the yellow bags. The yellow bags will be picked up within three days of notification.

SIGNS

Once you have fill out the necessary forms, received approval and have attended the Safety Training Program, the "NOXIOUS WEED PROGRAM" signs identifying your adopted section of road will be erected. You may request, within reason, what your adopted road section signs will say.  In approximately one to two weeks the signs will be in place.