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STAFF REPORT
19-029 PWES
Date:
May 13, 2019
To:
Chair Allan DeWitt and Members of the Public Works and Environmental
Services Committee
From:
Chris Angelo, Director of Public Works & Environmental Services
Subject:
Tree and Brush Cutting Policy/Procedure
Recommendation:
That the Director of Public Works & Environmental Services Staff Report 19-029PWES
regarding rural brush cutting be received as information; and
That Committee recommends to Council that staff be directed to bring back to the next
Committee meeting a Tree and Brush Cutting Policy/Procedure.
______________________________________________________________________
Background:
Roadside
vegetation
control
is
an
important
component
to
an
effective
road
maintenance program. This is especially important on rural roads, where vegetation is
more abundant and includes roadside grass, brush and trees. Roadside grass cutting
takes place seasonally, managing the new grass growth with tractor-mowers throughout
the growing season.
Roadside brush is basically any shrubs, bushes, small trees or long grass. Managing
roadside brush is most effectively, efficiently and safely carried out with a hydraulic
brusher attachment, mounted on a mobile excavator to mulch the brush within the
right-of-way. Staff are aware of the need to balance its responsibility to provide safe
roads and clear site lines while also maintaining control of the natural vegetation within
the road allowances, and still to the greatest extent possible attempting to keep the
natural beauty of our area within current budget limits. This is a delicate balance at
times.
There are many reasons and advantages to performing roadside brushing. Removing
roadside brush improves sightlines at intersections and curves, improves the visibility of
road signs and reduces the potential hazards to vehicles and farm machinery travelling
on the road. Beyond public safety, roadside brushing provides value to road
maintenance activities by:
-
Reducing shading on the road,
-
Removing obstructions that may cause damage to larger vehicles such as
school buses, farm equipment and commercial vehicles,
-
Opening up the overhead tree canopy for the natural sunlight to reach the
road surface to promote improved melting of snow and ice pack conditions
and in turn reduce the frequency and quantity of sand and salt used,
-
Increasing snow storage along the side of the road, and
-
Providing improved access for other maintenance activities.
Due to the hazards inherent with large equipment and the nature of the brushing
operation, safety must always be paramount. The draft procedure below is a Policy for
Public Works staff to utilize when inspecting and identifying roads or sections of roads
that require roadside brushing. Areas with developing sightline issues as well as areas
scheduled for surface treatment will take precedence over routine roadside brushing,
however a strategic approach is taken to complete all practicable brushing work in an
area before moving to another location.
Prior to a crew being assigned to roadside brushing, a Public Works Supervisor will
determine the location and the limit of work. When working near residences the brusher
operator will stop the brushing operation at a reasonable distance from where the
residential property is maintained, which is basically any point where the resident cuts
the grass or has performed landscaping. This avoids removing brush at the fringes of a
maintained/landscaped property and reduces the likelihood of a public concern being
raised. If, for safety reasons, brushing is required in these areas a Supervisor will speak
to the resident before performing the work. In any event the mechanical brushing
method will not be used in built up areas as defined in this procedure.
The brusher can splinter branches and trees, so to maintain a cleaner result the City
works crew will follow the brusher utilizing chainsaws to trim branches and small trees in
the road allowance or overhanging branches from private property. As part of the
clean-up, the wood chips are blown or swept off of the roadway. This is done in
conjunction with the brushing operation, so as to not leave wood chips on the travelled
portion of the road, driveways or the shoulder of the road.
Managing roadside brush in this manner can be very effective, albeit temporary, as
vegetation will grow back and may require annual roadside mowing or brushing again in
a few years. When scheduling resources, Supervisors will consider areas with
vegetation overgrowth and roadside safety concerns, yet monitor previously brushed
areas so that regrowth can be managed as well.
The brushing operation requires one equipment operator, two staff to perform spotter
and clean-up/trimming duties, as well as 2 traffic control personnel, however as with
most road maintenance activities, the challenge can often be balancing staffing
resources around other just as important routine and seasonal road maintenance
needs. Public Works will monitor the year to year brushing requirements and make
adjustments to the routine brushing program as needed.
Staff also recognize that it is important to communicate its intentions to the property
owners abutting road allowances that are scheduled for brushing. Brushing is generally
performed in the spring and fall of each year in order that normal snow clearing and
summer construction projects are not negatively impacted and generally before
vegetation has developed. However, if staff resources allow, brushing may be carried
out in the winter and/ or summer seasons.
In view of the foregoing, and the number of brushing concerns raised over the past few
years, staff would recommend the following tree, brushing and notification procedure
TREE REMOVAL AND BRUSHING PROCEDURE
1. Municipal open road allowances shall be cleared of scrub brush up to a diameter
of approximately 4 inches (10 centimetres) with a mechanical brush-cutter
accompanied by a City works crew (2 flag-persons plus 2 workers) that follows
immediately a safe distance behind with chainsaw and/or pruning saw. In
addition:
a. When inspecting and identifying locations for roadside brushing, certain
criteria will be considered before initiating any work.
i.
Locations where sightline issues are developing or where unsafe
conditions could exist will be given priority when scheduling
brushing.
ii.
The location(s) selected must be conducive to brushing, with limited
obstructions or hard to reach trees and allow for the safe setup and
operation of the excavator/brusher. Locations on curves, hills and
intersections may require additional traffic control or alternate
approaches to the work.
iii.
Areas are selected to avoid built up and directly in front of
residential properties where the results of brushing could leave a
less aesthetically pleasing result.
iv.
Consideration will be given to scheduling roadside brushing in the
early spring or fall, however the work can be scheduled at any time
should safety concerns be identified.
v.
The operator must survey each work area, no matter how small or
how large to identify potential hazards such as overhead lines,
obstructions in the brusher path (ie: fences, rocks or utility
pedestals). Ground obstructions may have to be painted to visually
assist the operator.
vi.
The brusher is not to be used to trim branches only.
vii.
It is important that the operator carefully selects the brush to be cut
to ensure that only trees/brush that can be mulched to the ground
are brushed. Do not brush branches on trees behind or on fence
lines. This ensures a clean and consistent finished product.
viii.
When brushing near residences the operator will stop brushing at a
point approximately 10m from the area where the residential
property is maintained (where the grass is cut or landscaped),
unless otherwise directed by a Supervisor. If the brush within the
road allowance (adjacent to these properties) is a safety hazard, a
Supervisor will provide direction on where to start and terminate the
operation.
ix.
The wood chip debris created from the brushing operation can
travel significant distances, so care must be taken to clean debris
from roadways, shoulders, driveways and any other location that
might be unsightly or create maintenance concerns. This can be
performed with rakes, weed trimmers with brooms or leaf blowers.
x.
Do not operate the excavator/brusher close to gravel surfaces.
xi.
Trees, brush and limbs that cannot be adequately removed with the
brusher will be either trimmed with chainsaws immediately after the
brusher has completed work or at a future date, as determined by
the Supervisor.
xii.
When not in operation, the excavator/brusher is to be parked in a
safe and secure location. Only park on private property when
permission from the property owner had been provided.
xiii.
The safety of workers and the public will be considered paramount
before and during roadside brushing operations.
xiv.
Other workers must remain a safe distance from the excavator/
brusher while in operation.
xv.
Never approach the excavator/brusher while in operation and
always make eye contact before approaching the excavator when
not in operation. It is important to ensure that members of the public
do not approach the brusher.
xvi.
While inspecting or surveying the work area or cleaning up after the
brushing operation workers are to be mindful of trip hazards such
as rocks and other debris, hazardous plants, etc.
xvii.
Report hazards or safety concerns to a Supervisor immediately.
xviii.
Training will be provided to the operator and crew on the safety,
planning, set-up and operational aspects of this procedure.
b. The mechanical brush cutter shall not be used in a built up area defined
as more than 5 residential homes in an area less than 500 meters.
c. The mechanical brush cutter shall not be used to cut brush at heights
greater than 10 feet.
2. Brush and trees larger than approximately (4) four inches (10 centimetres) in
diameter will be removed by City works crews with chain saws and wood-chipper
or other contracted pruning methods and not by the mechanical brusher
3. Dangerous overhead trees limbs and tree canopy encroaching the travelled road
surface or shoulder areas shall be removed by City works crews with chain saws
and wood-chipper or other contracted pruning methods.
4. Debris created by the mechanical brush-cutter clearing method will be cleaned
up from:
a. The travelled road surface and edge shoulders on the day of the brush
clearing.
b. The road allowance ditch areas as soon as practical after the day of
clearing as time / weather permits so that any large accumulation of debris
will not impede the drainage flow in the ditch system.
5. Larger tree removals - may be removed by the City works crew or a qualified
contractor (individual or company) with the knowledge, skills and ability to
remove the trees with as little damage to the road allowance as possible.
6. The Manager of Outdoor Operations shall prepare the following:
-
Brushing and tree removal program schedule with a map of areas of the
City road allowances to be addressed in that year.
-
Prepare a schedule of work to ensure that all of the open and maintained
road allowances are brushed on a rotational basis so that they are
maintained to a safe standard in accordance with this procedure.
-
Communicate with the City's Communications' Office the approved
brushing and tree removal program schedule combined with a map such
that it can be posted on the municipal website.
Existing Policy/By-law:
N/A
Financial Impact:
N/A
Public Input:
N/A
Internal / External Consultation:
Manager of Outdoor Operations
Road Supervisors
Comments/Analysis:
N/A