The State Highway Administration recently announced the beginning of six “spring cleaning” projects across the State to clear non-native and noxious vegetation from along highway roadsides, medians and wetlands.
CONTACT: Susan Harding, Public Information Officer, 301-600-1385
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, April 3, 2013
SHA Begins “Spring Cleaning” Along Roadsides, Medians and Wetlands
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Frederick, MD -- The State Highway Administration recently announced the beginning of six “spring cleaning” projects across the State to clear non-native and noxious vegetation from along highway roadsides, medians and wetlands. Work began in March 2013 to remove non-native vegetation that cause problems with drainage, strangle native plants and impact the effectiveness of our wetlands. In Western Maryland, the project areas include I-70 between I-68 (National Freeway) to the Baltimore County Line and I-68 (National Freeway) from I-70 to Sideling Hill Mountain. Once the non-native problematic vegetation has been removed, the areas will be re-planted with hearty, native species while other areas will be left clear to enable native plants to naturally flourish and spread.
The State Highway Administration’s project to eradicate invasive and noxious species from roadsides has been endorsed by numerous groups including the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the Nature Conservancy, the South River Federation and the Severn River Commission. Additionally, the Federal Highway Administration is an active partner in reducing the prevalence of invasive species along America’s highways and provides funding for the efforts.
A website created to show the before and after photos of other successful projects, as well as close up photos of the invasive, problematic plants can be found at http://roads.maryland.gov/index.aspx?pageid=283
For more information, please contact Ms. Sonia Sanghavi, SHA Director of Environmental Design, at 1.800.446.5962 or via email at ssanghavi@sha.state.md.us
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