By Thomas Roach, Pavement Division Manager, Los Alamos County

Los Alamos County would like to solicit the cooperation of property owners to voluntarily remove vegetation along sidewalks. Invasive weeds will be a problem this summer, so the county asks everyone to pull, spray, or otherwise control weeds and grass on their property and adjacent to sidewalks.
 

The idea behind this program is to create a clear zone – a clear walking path for at least two people to walk side by side along a sidewalk.  Property owners are responsible for clearing the sidewalk that runs adjacent to their property. 

Here are the guidelines for vegetation removal that were developed in 2002:

• Vegetation up to 18” high should be trimmed back so as to not overhang the edge of the sidewalk. 
• Vegetation that is 18” up to 7’ high must be trimmed back to be at least 6” from the edge of the sidewalk. 
• Any trees or vines overhanging any portion of a sidewalk should be trimmed to allow for an adequate overhead clearance (at least 7 feet). 
• For sidewalks separated from the curb by green space, these requirements apply to both sides of the sidewalk. 
• Vegetation should be removed from gutters to prevent drain blockage.

The goal of the program is to maintain the work that was accomplished with clearing crews in the past. With your cooperation, this should be an easy task.  Please take the time to check sidewalks adjacent to your property and, if necessary, trim the offending vegetation. The County understands that in some cases, it may not be possible to meet the exact specifications of the guidelines listed above.  However, it’s important that property owners maintain their landscaping and keep public sidewalks clear for pedestrian traffic.

For more information on the Sidewalk Obstruction Removal Program, contact the Pavement Division at 662-8397, or check out the County’s website at www.losalamosnm.us. If you have a specific complaint about weeds on County property, please call the Pavement Division or send an e-mail with a description or address of the property that needs attention to LACPavement@lacnm.us. Together, we can work to keep our sidewalks clear and safe for the enjoyment of everyone.