ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY AGREEMENT
North Dakota Department of Transporation, Maintenance
SFN 17165 (07/23)

This agreement, between the state of North Dakota, acting by and through its Director of Transportation recognizes the Group as the adopting organization for the indicated highway, reference/mile point, and sides of interstate/multi-lane highways only - not medians. 

By this agreement, the Group acknowledges the hazardous nature of litter pick up and agrees to the following terms and conditions:

• When participants are 15 years of age or younger, the Group shall furnish adequate supervision by adults.
• Each Group shall conduct at least one safety meeting per year and not more than 30 days before commencing the initial work. Participants must attend such a safety meeting before participating in any work. The attachment to this agreement, “Safety Tips for Adopt-A-Highway Groups” shall be covered at all safety meetings.
• Groups shall adopt a section of roadway that is normally three miles in length. No litter pick up is permitted in the medians of divided or multi-lane roadways.
• The Group shall pick up litter in May, July, and September of each year and such other times the Group deems appropriate.
• The Group shall be required to wear ANSI/ISEA 107-2004 Class II high visibility garments while within the highway right-of-way as per the requirements of 23 CFR 634. NDDOT will provide these high visibility garments.
• The Group shall return unused vests when the Group's contract has ended.
• The Group shall obtain trash bags from NDDOT during regular business hours.
• The Group shall place the filled trash bags just off the outer portion of the shoulder of the road for pick up by NDDOT and notify NDDOT that the section has been cleaned.
• The Group shall be considered an independent contractor and not an employee of NDDOT for any purpose, such as workers compensation, medical insurance, nor any job benefits normally provided to full-time classified employees.
• The Group agrees to comply with all applicable laws and rules, including, but not limited to, those relating to nondiscrimination, accessibility, and civil rights.
• The Group and each of the participants agrees to release the State of North Dakota, its agencies, officers and employees (State), from any and all claims of any nature, including all costs, expenses, and attorneys fees, which may in any manner result from or arise out of this agreement.

NDDOT agrees to:

• Erect, as soon as feasible, a permanent sign at each end of the adopted section of the highway or at the beginning of the section if only one side of the highway is being cleaned, with the Group's name or acronym displayed.
• Provide the Group with ANSI/ISEA 107-2004 Class II high visibility garments.
• Provide the Group with trash bags.
• Remove the Group's filled trash bags the first feasible workday after the pick up.
• Remove litter from the adopted section when unusual circumstances are discovered; i.e., large, heavy, or hazardous items are on the right-of-way.

If in the judgment of NDDOT, it is determined that the Group has failed to perform its duties, NDDOT may terminate this agreement upon 30 days written notice to the Group, and remove the signs.

 

Attachment to Adopt-A-Highway Agreement

REMEMBER: You are working in a potentially dangerous environment - a public highway.

Every crew member should possess the following attributes:

- Ability to perform tasks and be responsive to changing traffic patterns.
- A sense of responsibility for safety of public and crew.

• Knives, machetes, axes, etc. should not be carried by crew members. Do not attempt to compact (squeeze) trash bags to gain room for more trash. Injuries from broken or jagged objects often result from this practice. Fill the bag with what goes in easily and then get another bag.
• Park all vehicles well clear of the roadway and at least 10 feet from the shoulders surface.
• Do not walk across interstate highways. Use the bridges.
• Stay off rip-rap and steep slopes.

• Whenever possible, face oncoming traffic while you work. Be prepared to move out of the way of errant vehicles.
  
• Discontinue work in inclement weather, especially in times of reduced visibility, wet/icy roads, during electrical storms, and during other than daylight conditions.
• Avoid overexertion. Drink plenty of water, especially on warm, humid days.

• Wear ANSI/ISEA 107-2004 Class II high visibility garments while within the highway right-of-way.
• Wear light-colored clothing at all times when working on the right-of-way.
• Wear heavy gloves.
• Wear substantial leather shoes or boots with ankle support. Watch for footing.
• Wear a hat and long sleeves to avoid sunburn. You may wish to use a sunscreen lotion on sunny days.

• Do not attempt to remove unknown or suspected toxic/hazardous substances. This could include meth byproducts such as containers with hoses duct taped to spouts, empty starter fluid cans, propane tanks with discolored valves, or coffee filters, or bags containing a grayish/white substance. Notify NDDOT or the police of the location of such items immediately.
• Do not enter the roadway or its shoulder areas, paved or unpaved, to pick up trash.
• Do not pick up trash in the median of interstate/multi-lane highways.
• Pick up pop bottles and similar containers only with great care. They may contain HUMAN WASTE.
• Do not pick up discarded syringes, hypodermic needles, or broken glass.

• Every crew should possess an adequate first aid kit. Be prepared for serious injury; select an emergency room/hospital and know the route from the work area to the designated treatment center.
• Every crew should have transportation immediately available.
• If possible, bring a cellular phone or CB radio with a fully-charged battery.