Union County starts roadside spraying in March; property owners can opt out

Union County announced in early March 2026 that it will begin roadside spraying to control vegetation and noxious weeds that are encroaching on road shoulders and rights of way, and that in most locations spraying will extend four to eight feet from pavement edges. The county posted a public notice March 3, 2026, and an Elkhorn Media Group posting carries a Notice Date of March 4, 2026; the county website frames the timing as “in the month of March.”

Property owners who do not want herbicides applied adjacent to their land must sign an “Owner Will Maintain” agreement with the county, the notices state, and the agreement “must be updated annually.” The county will provide signs for participating owners, and sign-ups are being handled at the Union County Public Works Department, 10513 N. McAlister Road in Island City. For questions the county lists two contact routes: Brian Clapp, 541-805-5399, bclapp@union-county.org, and a Public Works contact line at 541-963-1016.

Union County’s notice materials list the county’s leadership and administrative contacts: Commissioners Paul Anderes, Matt Scarfo and Jake Seavert, and the county administrative office at 1106 K Avenue, La Grande, with main phone 541-963-1001 and webmaster@union-county.org. The roadside spraying announcement is posted on the county site under the heading “Roadside Vegetation Spraying” and mirrored in a public notice on Elkhorn Media Group’s public notices page dated March 4, 2026.

County Weed Control materials provide broader context for landowners: the Cost Share Program, started in 2017, offers up to $500 reimbursement per landowner for qualified noxious weed treatments on a first-come, first-served basis and requires treatment record and Landowner InKind Match forms. Union County maintains a list of suggested contractors for contract spray services, and contract spraying is eligible for the cost-share program at the landowner’s expense. Equipment rental for private property treatment is available through Public Works; Doug Wright is listed as the equipment rental contact at 541-963-1016. The Tri-County Cooperative Weed Management Area administers programs across roughly 8,000 square miles covering Union, Wallowa and Baker Counties, funded by county contributions, BLM and USFS assistance agreements, and state and federal grants.

The county notices do not specify several operational details: which herbicide products or active ingredients will be used, application methods, a map or schedule of roads to be treated, safety precautions for residents, pets or wells, or the full text and enforcement terms of the Owner Will Maintain agreement. County materials point property owners to Public Works in Island City to enroll and to the listed contacts for further information; the program’s March start makes those contacts the primary avenues for any clarifications as operations begin.