FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 9, 2018) – Kentucky Transportation Cabinet crews will begin
treating for noxious and nuisance weeds throughout the state this month. The
treatments aid in controlling the spread of undesirable plants along state highway
rights of way.
The Cabinet, in accordance with KRS 176.051, targets Johnson grass, giant foxtail,
Canada thistle, nodding thistle, common teasel, multiflora rose, amur honeysuckle,
poison hemlock, marestail, Japanese knotweed and kudzu.
Left uncontrolled, noxious weeds can grow so large that they interfere with a
driver’s line of vision on highways. They can also damage pavement and embankments
and clog ditches, causing drainage problems.
Noxious weeds often invade and destroy the roadside turf grass, leaving these areas
vulnerable to erosion. They can also smother native plants through rapid
reproduction and long-term persistence.
Motorists are reminded to use extra caution when crews spraying for weeds are out on
the roadways.
Property owners who are actively treating noxious weeds on private property may
request the eradication of nuisance weeds found on adjacent state-owned right of
way. A written application must be submitted to the property owner’s local highway
district office. To request an application, please contact the appropriate district
highway office. Contact information may be found
here<http://links.govdelivery.com:80/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbXNpZD0mYXVpZD0mbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTgwMzA5Ljg2NzEyMjkxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE4MDMwOS44NjcxMjI5MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE2OTkxMzY3JmVtYWlsaWQ9a2VpdGgudG9kZEBreS5nb3YmdXNlcmlkPWtlaXRoLnRvZGRAa3kuZ292JnRhcmdldGlkPSZmbD0mZXh0cmE9TXVsdGl2YXJpYXRlSWQ9JiYm&&&100&&&https://transportation.ky.gov/Pages/ContactUs.aspx>.