| Since 1981, the Alaska Railroad Corporation (ARR) has been unable to obtain a permit for the use of herbicides along the railway. The presence of plants that grow in the railroad bed contribute to the retention of fine soil particles and organic matter which together prevent the proper drainage of water. Maintaining proper drainage in the ballast section is one of the most critical requirements for a stable track structure. Few issues have caused as much controversy for the ARR as the application for a permit to use a herbicide along selected areas of the railbed (i.e. ballast, sub-ballast, and shoulder) to help reduce these problems.;Effective vegetation management is rarely straightforward and cannot be accomplished using only a single method. An effective integrated vegetation management (IVM) plan must delineate environmentally sensitive areas, consider control objectives, disturbance effects, and the effectiveness of the full range of potentially available treatments. Once this is done, and IVM program can be designed to address the various "zones" along the railroad.;The primary goals for vegetation control are railroad safety and the protection of the environment. To meet these goals the ARR must broaden public awareness, communication, and education by incorporating local knowledge as part of its IVM program. Cooperative planning will reduce opposition to common property problems and enhance public trust and confidence. |
