Departments :: Public Works Department

Policy on Dust Abatement for Wasco County Roads (Proposed)

August 9, 2002

TO: The Wasco County Court
FROM: Dan Boldt
RE: Proposed Policy on Dust Abatement for Wasco County Roads

Background: In 2000 Wasco County Public Works proposed a temporary "policy" to place dust retarding materials on gravel roads in several areas of the County. Since the county does not have resources to place dust abatement on the entire gravel road system, at an annual cost of $1.2 million, we have moved to a limited "user pays" dust abatement program.

Lignin-based products appear to be the most effective non-corrosive materials to use in this region. Lignin, to be effective must be applied annually

The Problem: The County's problem is that there are roughly 400 miles of gravel road, all of which is miserable for driving upon in the dead of summer. It must be emphatically noted the county has never promised improvement to gravel county roads. Prospective buyers of property served by gravel roads have been counseled by Wasco County for more than two decades not to expect any improvements. Indeed, in today's financially constrained situation we have 60% of the workforce of a decade ago to maintain the same road system.

Remember, what is done for residents on one road must be offered to residents on other roads.

Trial Policy:
In 2000 we tried a temporary policy as follows: On gravel roads with average daily traffic greater than 100, the County's temporary policy shall be to place lignin, on a trial basis and at County expense, on requested roads. At this time only the following roads are included: 1. A portion of Vensel Road and Behrens Road (from the end of the pavement at Carroll Road to the resort) 2. A portion of Hood River Road (from the end of the pavement to Proctor Rd.)

This was a one time, one year only application, subject to monitoring for performance. This in no way obligated the County to apply lignin again in the future.

On gravel roads with average daily traffic less than 100, the original offer made by the County, of preparing and watering for applications paid for by adjacent landowners, still remains.

In review, the lignin applications helped many residents enjoy a dust-free environment. The County has refrained from paying for applications on the two higher-used roads because:

  1. Road Budget's tight financial situation and,
  2. The difficulty of explaining to citizens why the County was paying for some roads and billing landowners for other roads.

Proposed Policy: Wasco County will apply lignin to county roads on a limited basis. The County will blade and water the road just ahead of the application. The lignin will be applied by the County or a private applicator, with the material cost borne by the private landowner requesting the service. Thus, the County's involvement is road preparation and management of the program.

I can prepare additional language for a more formal document if it is needed!