Kitsap County Public Works will begin its annual roadside herbicide treatment on April 3.

The annual maintenance program continues through mid-June. It includes different types of management strategies depending on the vegetation zone.

Zone 1 begins at the outer edge of the pavement and extends to where the base material intercepts native soil. Zone 2 continues to include areas where regulatory and advisory signs are placed, as well as horizontal curves and intersections. Zone 3 includes the areas that extend from there to the end of the right-of-way. Each zone uses a different strategy to maintain vegetation.

Specific information related to the zones is available online at the county’s website.

Treating roadsides to maintain vegetation helps keep sight distances clear, Don Schultz, county road superintendent, said in a March 23 statement.

He added that reducing roadside vegetation can also reduce animal fatalities because animals will less likely be feeding along the road.

After the initial vegetation management, the county’s noxious weed program will begin. This program will identify harmful weeds that are non-native that can be hazardous to people, animals and the environment.

Brush species including scotch broom that take space from native plants will also be targeted. This program will run through November.