Most Freeway Plants Killed by Cold, Drought Won’t Be Replaced
Many plants that shriveled up during the winter cold snap or the drought will not be replaced along the state’s landscaped freeways because of the severe water shortage, the California Department of Transportation said Tuesday.
The action is one of several steps announced by Caltrans to reduce the amount of water used by the agency during the state’s fifth year of drought.
More than 80% of all highway ice plant in Northern California--about 2,000 acres--was destroyed in the deep freeze that struck Northern California in late December, Caltrans Director Robert Best said.
Highway landscaping is used to reduce the danger of wildfires, control erosion, prevent dust, and buffer neighborhoods and business districts from traffic.
However, the ice plant is a thirsty succulent that soaks up a lot of water, Best said. While some dead plants will be replaced with drought-resistant species, others will be left in the ground to prevent erosion, Best said.
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