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Use of Pesticides - Herbicides

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) may permit pesticide treatments to control unwanted pest infestations. Each request will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Herbicide treatment of individual stems or stumps of unwanted species, with approved herbicide, may be permitted if it allows non-target tree and shrub species to grow.

MDOT generally shall not permit any broadcast herbicide application on the State highway Right-of-Way. The term “broadcast” refers to either granular or liquid application that is applied to the ground or to the foliage in a swath covering all of the vegetation in the swath widths.

Applicants must submit an individual permit application package through the Construction Permit System (CPS). If the use of an herbicide/pesticide is requested, the following shall be included with the permit application package:

  • Copy of the pesticide label and the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
  • Plan showing the specific geographical location and indicating the size and species of tree/shrub to be treated, if herbicide use
  • Adjacent property owners authorization letter, if within Easement Right-of-Way