Lane County announced on Apr. 9 that mowing crews are preparing to clear tall grass and brush along rural county-maintained roads, as spring rains have accelerated roadside vegetation growth. Before mowing can begin, officials say it is important for residents to remove signs, fencing, and other obstacles from the public right-of-way.
The annual mowing effort is aimed at reducing wildfire risk and improving driver visibility. “Mowing helps reduce wildfire risk and ensures drivers can see clearly around curves and intersections,” said Chad McBride, Lane County vegetation supervisor. “When signs, fencing, or landscaping show up in the right-of-way, it slows down our work, damages equipment, and creates avoidable safety hazards.”
County staff will remove obstructions before mowing begins. McBride said election season often brings a surge in illegally placed signs: “We’ll be conducting a cleanup sweep ahead of mowing operations to make sure signs don’t become entangled in our equipment.” Residents are encouraged to help by removing political or business signs from road rights-of-way—these should be placed on private property behind utility poles or sidewalks—and by clearing rocks over three inches in diameter as well as old fencing or decorative items that could obstruct mowers.
Property owners are also reminded that ornamental plants located within the right-of-way will be cut low during routine maintenance. The county says keeping these areas clear helps reduce costs, protects equipment, and keeps roads safer for everyone involved.
In rural Lane County areas, the road right-of-way typically extends from the edge of pavement to property lines; in unincorporated parts of Eugene or Springfield it covers space between sidewalk and curb. Drivers should note that crews may start work as early as 5:00 a.m., so caution is advised when passing mowers during early morning hours.
Lane County provides essential public services including public safety and health programs across more than 4,600 square miles with urban, suburban, rural and coastal landscapes according to the official website. The county maintains key facilities supporting government operations while promoting community well-being through various initiatives according to its official website. Services extend throughout western Oregon’s diverse communities under a home rule structure designed to enhance quality of life as described on its official site.
