Rights of Way Vegetation Management

The Department has regulatory jurisdiction over herbicide application in rights-of-way areas. The regulations (333 CMR 11.00) contain provisions for the use of herbicides as part of vegetation management in support of the functioning and use of rights-of-way areas while minimizing the potential impacts of from herbicides on human health and the environment. Specific restrictions exist for the use of herbicides in sensitive areas, which include water supplies, wetlands, state-listed species habitat, and inhabited and agricultural areas. The Department maintains a list of herbicides approved for use in these sensitive areas. The Department also reviews and approves Vegetation Management Plans (VMPs) and Yearly Operational Plans (YOPs) submitted by entities involved in rights-of-way management.