The Roadside Vegetation Management Unit, directed by Brandon Garretto, oversees management and implementation of the pesticide program and advising District maintenance staff on state roadside vegetation management activities including, tree and brush, mowing, terrestrial invasive species, riparian buffer, promoting wildlife connectivity, reducing vehicle-wildlife conflict, protecting threatened and endangered species and their habitat(s), promoting pollinator habitat and addressing other vegetation management related operations along and within state-owned Rights-of-Way (ROW) and at Maintenance Facilities.
The responsibilities of this role related to the pesticide program include maintaining Category 6 pesticide licensure for all state employees who volunteer for the program, applying for permits through the Agency of Agriculture Food and Markets, overseeing applications during the active season, ensuring compliance with Vermont rules and regulations, and updating standard operating procedures.
Additional responsibilities include drafting and maintaining a roadside integrated vegetation management plan, various best management practices or standard operating procedures, researching new methods for vegetation management, and working cross-functionally with other VTrans Divisions, Vermont Agencies, Regional Departments of Transportation and Federal Agencies to enhance the natural environment within VTrans Rights-of-Way while protecting transportation infrastructure, VTrans employees and the traveling public.
Guardrail Herbicide Program
The Roadside Vegetation Management Unit oversees compliance of VTrans’ herbicide permit. The management of weeds and unwanted vegetation is an important element of roadside maintenance. The Vermont Agency of Transportation’s decision to manage vegetation on, under, and behind guardrail using herbicides is truly one of economics. When you compare the time and resources necessary to address this vegetation control issue with mowers and hand labor the costs far outweigh that resulting from the use of herbicides. VTrans has approximately 1,000 miles of guardrail (year 2011 estimate) which needs constant inspection, replacement, repair and maintenance. For more information on our herbicide program please read: Why We Spray .
VTrans Pesticide Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
For more information and to submit a "No Spray Request" near you, please see the 2024 VTrans Public Notice.
The VTrans Herbicide permit is administered by the VT Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets Pesticide Program.
Fore more information on Glyphosate you can read the VT Agency of Agriculture's publication "Glyphosate: Farming, Health & The Environment"
Additional state resources on invasive species
Invasive Plant Species
The “VTrans State Highway System Roadside Terrestrial Invasive Plants Best Management Practices” is a document explaining best management practices (BMP) for VTrans maintenance on roadside terrestrial invasive plants.
VTrans State Highway System Roadside Terrestrial Invasive BMP
Roadside Vegetation Concerns
For roadside vegetation concerns near your home, please contact your local district maintenance office. This list can be found at the Maintenance Districts page.
VTrans Landscape and Vegetation Policy and Design
For more information on VTrans landscape and vegetation related policy and design issues you can visit the VTrans Landscape Architect web page.
Roadside Mowing
The "VTrans State highway System Mowing Best Management Practices BMP" is a document we use as a guide to maintain a consistent mowing practice throughout the state.
VTrans Legislative Factsheet
Contact
Brandon Garretto, Vegetation Management Technician and Pesticide Program Administrator
Technical Services | District Maintenance & Fleet
Vermont Agency of Transportation
Dill Bldg. 2178 Airport Road - Unit A, Barre, VT 05641
Email: Brandon.Garretto@vermont.gov
Cell: 1(802)279-6721
