The Wright County Highway Department announced on Apr. 17 that it will begin roadside vegetation management along all county highways starting May 1, 2026. The work will include cutting and treating unwanted brush and noxious weeds with herbicide as part of the department’s ongoing efforts to maintain road safety and visibility.
This initiative is in line with Minnesota State Statute 160.23, which requires road authorities to destroy or eradicate noxious weeds along highways and streets to prevent their spread. The department said the goal is to eliminate brush and noxious weeds while promoting grass cover along roadsides, which helps improve driving visibility, prevents obstruction of road signs, and reduces maintenance issues caused by water retention and equipment damage.
Selective herbicides approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture will be used for this operation. The department said care will be taken to avoid sensitive areas such as tree plantations, ornamental plantings, crops, gardens, front yards, lakes, and streams during spraying.
Property owners who wish to use alternative methods like mowing can obtain a “No Spray” form from the Wright County Highway Department Building at 3600 Braddock Ave NE in Buffalo or request one via email at loren.green@wrightcountymn.gov. Forms are also available online for convenience. All forms must be submitted by April 30, 2026.
Those choosing alternative maintenance must post “DO NOT SPRAY” signs provided by the county on their property and remove brush or noxious weed plants within the site by June 1, continuing upkeep thereafter. If these conditions are not met, the area will be included in routine vegetation management.
For further questions about this program or specific procedures for maintaining adjacent right-of-way areas, residents can contact the Wright County Highway Department at (763) 682-7374.
