State Parks to seek bids for trail weeds

Washington State Parks prepares to go to bid this month for sterilant to be used on a controversial stretch of the John Wayne Iron Horse Trail.

The chemical – a pre-emergent herbicide to be sprayed before any vegetation grows – is to be paid for from the remaining $46,000 of a 2016 state legislature proviso. The document called for State Parks to find and spend $100,000 on noxious weed control on the 20-mile trail section from milepost 1904 (Ewan) through 1924 (Benge-Ritzville Road).

The limited distance sprayed was due to the late start–beginning work in April after the legislative proviso.

T...