La. Admin. Code tit. 70 § I-305

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section I-305 - Herbicides

A. Laws and Regulations. The Federal Insecticide and Rodenticide Act as amended in 1972 (FIFRA) requires individuals who apply restricted use pesticides to be certified applicators. National standards for the certification of applicators are found in Title 40, Part 171 of the Code of Federal Regulations. State standards for certification of applicators are found in the Louisiana Pesticide Law, Chapter 21 of Title 3 of the Louisiana Revised Statues, rules and regulations promulgated under the authority of the Louisiana Pesticide Law have been published in the Louisiana Register further delineating the requirements for certification and recertification. The Louisiana Department of Agriculture has been designated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as the agency responsible for the enforcement of FIFRA within the state of Louisiana. The department is also responsible for the enforcement of the Louisiana Pesticide Law. The Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service, by cooperative agreement, is responsible for the training necessary to become a certified applicator.

B. General

1. Herbicides have played an important part in the management of the roadside right-of-way the past several years, particularly the selective spraying program. This program is used predominately to control Johnson grass and other weeds while favoring the growth of Bermuda grass which requires little mowing.

2. Herbicides have also been used successfully on hard surfaced shoulders, cracks in paved traffic islands and revetments under guardrails, at bridge ends, ditches and other areas which are impossible to mow. Since chemicals that are used as herbicides require that safety precautions are observed, the roadside development coordinator in the district should be in complete charge of their use. The operators on the spray trucks are required to be licensed by the Department of Agriculture. The roadside development coordinator is familiar with brand names, different types of chemicals, calibration of the rig, pumps, etc., has been licensed and should be consulted in detail for chemical herbicide work.

3. In order to realize the maximum output from both mowing and spraying operations, it is important that the parish maintenance superintendent and roadside development coordinator manage these operations together. Correct timing will result in good results and a savings of funds. Two mowings per season and two sprayings per season are generally enough for most roadsides if they are coordinated.

4. Department of Transportation and Development has been using herbicides for approximately 20 years. The main reason for using herbicides is because it is a safe economical means of controlling vegetation resulting in cost savings for the department.

La. Admin. Code tit. 70, § I-305

Promulgated by the Department of Transportation and Development, LR 17:204 (February 1991), amended LR 26:1653 (August 2000).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 47:820.6.