State-licensed crews will begin spraying herbicide along Oakland County roadsides in Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills and Bloomfield Township on Monday, Aug. 24, targeting invasive phragmites and knotweed that can block drivers' sightlines and damage drainage infrastructure.
The treatments, announced by the Road Commission for Oakland County, will continue through late October. Crews will use vehicle-mounted hand-spray equipment to hit targeted stands of the two species along RCOC rights-of-way.
Yellow signs will be posted at each treated location on the day of application. The signs will list the products used, any restrictions and the date of treatment.
The road commission is advising the public to stay out of marked areas.
Why it matters
Phragmites is an invasive grass that thrives in wet areas and can grow up to 15 feet tall. Dense stands block intersection sightlines, impair drainage, crowd out native plants and fuel intense fires when dry. Knotweed spreads rapidly, particularly when cut, and can damage roads and drainage structures.
The effort is a partnership between RCOC and the Oakland County Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area, a coalition of 45 member organizations that has worked with the road commission for at least five years on phragmites control. Local CISMA members include the City of Birmingham Parks and Recreation, the Village of Beverly Hills, the Village of Bingham Farms and the Charter Township of Bloomfield.
Two contractors will handle the work. PLM Lake and Land Management Corp. and Stantec will treat phragmites; Stantec alone will handle knotweed.
RCOC has previously described the phragmites fight as going beyond its traditional focus on pavement condition and traffic congestion, according to a WXYZ-TV report on the program. The road commission has invested roughly $300,000 in phragmites control over multiple years, though the current year's budget was not specified in the latest announcement.
How to stay informed
Residents with questions about treatment products or application methods can contact RCOC at (877) 858-4804 or [email protected]. CISMA coordinator Patrick Canniff can be reached at (248) 882-8643 or [email protected].
The specific roads and intersections to be treated were not listed in the announcement. Residents should watch for yellow posted signs along county roads through late October.
