Use of spray signs would ultimately save money

On the same day that I saw the public notice in the Daily Bee for the Bonner County Weed Control Department, I was walking along a roadway that would probably be sprayed.

I had an idea that might save the county a lot of money as well as eliminate a lot of unnecessary herbicide use. The county now mandates that land owners along targeted rights of way obtain an “official” no-spray sign to prevent their property from being sprayed. In place of this requirement for “no spray” land owners, I think the county should require land owners who do want the roadways along their property treated with herbicides, to contact the county to request this treatment and receive signs to mark their designated spray areas.

As it is now, many miles of roadway are treated that are not used for agriculture and have untreated land just outside the 10-foot reach of the herbicide application. It is not only a waste of material but wishful thinking on the part of the Weed Control Department that this treatment might actually control weeds.

I don’t have a cost savings analysis for this plan but it seems to me that a lot of unnecessary spraying could be eliminated. It would be good for the budget and good for the environment.

JACK WALLACE

Sandpoint