The King County Road Services Division is scheduled to begin its roadside weed control program in Federal Way and unincorporated areas of the county on May 7.

As part of the program, certified technicians will perform controlled herbicide spraying along some road shoulders through the summer to reduce safety hazards for pedestrians, motorists and bicyclists, and prevent root systems from damaging roadways.

The spraying will also control noxious weeds that are toxic to some animals and pose environmental risks to native vegetation.

As in past years, residents who do not want crews to spray a county right-of-way that abuts their property may post "owner will maintain" signs. Those residents, however, must sign an agreement with the county to maintain the right-of-way themselves.

Maintenance agreements must be completed and returned to the Road Services Division before "owner will maintain" signs can be issued. The Road Services Division should receive maintenance agreements by May 4.

The signs again will be provided to property owners at no charge.

The county has already sent letters to property owners who asked to maintain right-of-way last year.

Signs and copies of the maintenance agreement are available by calling 206-296-8100 or toll-free by calling 1-800-KC-ROADS. The maintenance agreement is also available on the Road Services Division website.

According to a King County news release, the Road Services Division uses small amounts of herbicides on a carefully controlled basis. Trained technicians use only those herbicides approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Food and Drug Administration and the state Department of Agriculture.

Applications are additionally guided by best management practices that include follow-up monitoring and soil testing.

No herbicide spraying is conducted near water, ditches, backslopes, or in moratorium zones.

The Road Services Division will also be removing all tansy ragwort from right-of-way due to the flowering weed's danger to animals. State and local laws require the removal of tansy ragwort and other noxious weeds.

Residents who maintain right-of-way are asked to place vegetation that may contain tansy ragwort in sealable bags to prevent the spread of the weed.