FORR blog update – July 2021

In December 2020, we received word that the Department of Public Works had drastically mowed Pearre Road (a road protected by The Rural Road Resolution) along the shoulders, taking out several small trees and cutting roadside grass and shrubs back to the roots. In addition to the destruction of wildlife habitat, the work eventually led to significant erosion which the County then had to repair. For the past several months, the Friends have been working with various County officials to determine the reason for boom mowing a rural road and to prevent future such actions. Just before the June 2021 meeting of the Roads Board, DPW produced a Draft Mowing Policy. The policy will be discussed at the September 13th Roads Board meeting, and the public is encouraged to submit feedback regarding the new policy.

The Friends of Rural Roads have studied the new guidelines and are concerned that it treats all roads the same, not allowing for the differences inherent in our small country roads. Although the guidelines focus on driver safety, the recommended treatments actually encourage speed by widening the roads, cutting down vegetation that might block the driver’s view, and removing trees to create a “recovery” zone in case a car goes off the road. The Friends feel there must be a better solution!