Vegetation Management Purpose and Need

Potentially dangerous vegetation growth has led to an ultimatum from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), the regulatory body which governs safety for the rail industry. The FRA says we need to do more to maintain safe operating conditions, or they may possibly curtail or shut down train operations.

Between 1997 and 2008, the FRA wrote a total of 947 defects and 74 violations against the ARRC for vegetation safety issues and concerns. During summer 2009 alone, FRA inspectors issued an additional 497 defects and 123 violations. Despite railroad efforts to manage vegetation with non-chemical methods, the FRA has noted the “ARRC track continues to get worse.” While the FRA acknowledges our continued efforts to seek a state herbicide use permit, they have informed the railroad that they will no longer ignore the safety concerns presented by the overwhelming overgrowth of vegetation. A copy of the letter can be found on the PDF below:

 Federal Railroad Administration Letter to the ARRC Regarding Vegetation Concerns

Important Considerations:

• Safety to employees and safe movement of trains is the sole dominant factor with a comprehensive vegetation management program.
• Any weed killers used are regulated and approved by both the federal and state governments.
• Application of the weed killer would be conducted by a licensed, experienced contractor, and railroad employees and the public will be fully informed about chemicals used and locations worked.
• The weed killers have been used for many years, are approved by the Environmental Protection Agency, and studies have shown they have no adverse effects to humans, fish, or wildlife.

Benefits of Comprehensive Weed Control:

• Reduce the risk of derailment
• Help employees to avoid slip, trip and fall injuries
• Eliminate plants and roots that destabilize the track sub surface
• Remove brush that can fuel wild fires
• Maintain safe visual site lines at road/rail crossings Assist efforts to control the spread of noxious, invasive weeds
• Comply with federal regulatory requirements to control vegetation on the rail bed.