The Area in which the section of highway to be adopted is located is responsible for administration of the Adopt-A-Highway Program. The Area must insure that this program does not interfere with the Youth Litter Pick Up Program. The procedures are:
1. Accept requests from individuals or groups interested in adopting a section of highway.
2. Determine that the individual or group is acceptable, responsible, and understands the program.
3. Check to determine if the section of highway is acceptable to the department. Requested section may be turned down if:
a) A youth group had previously contracted for litter pick up. Sections of highway that have been contracted to a youth group within the past year are not eligible unless the youth group indicates that they are no longer interested. The youth group is to be given first option in the case where they want to adopt the section.
b) Section does not meet the definition of an acceptable section.
c) Adoption of the section would create a safety hazard.
d) Adoption of the section creates a condition that is counter productive to program.
4. Issue a permit to the individual or group if the conditions in No. 2 and No. 3 are met. The initial permit is for a one year period. The permittee on successful completion of the first year can be issued a permit ranging in length from one to five years.
5. Arrange for and erect the Adopt-A-Highway signs with the groups name displayed. Refer to the Adopt-A-Highway typical signing plans in the Saskatchewan Traffic Control Devices Manual.
6. Complete litter pickup orientation with the permittee. This will include:
- Review of work location and limits. Discuss any areas where extra caution is required such as railway crossings, overpasses, bridge crossings or busy intersections.
- Review the permit including any special conditions and the safety rules.
- For permits that include divided highway specify if litter should be collected from the median.
- Provide a copy of the Litter Planning Checklist.
- Provide Ministry contact information in case of emergency and record contact information for the group.
- Review permittee's emergency response plan.
- Provide a copy of the accident reporting form.
- Provide trash bags.
- Sign out safety vests.
- Review work zone signing requirements.
- The fold down roadwork ahead signs on the AAH signs marking the limits of their section shall be used. If the adopted section is greater than 3 km in length additional work zone signing is required. Signs shall be supplied by the department.
- Where warning signs and portable stands are provided to the permittee they shall be borrowed only for the period of time of the actual cleanup. The permittee is responsible for picking up, erecting, maintaining, removing and returning the warning signs. Ensure that the permittee understands how the signs are to be used.
- Ensure the permittee is aware no work can be performed unless proper signing is in place.
- Record the name and signature of the representative who attended the orientation.
7. Remove filled trash bags.
8. Remove large, heavy or hazardous items as required.
9. Monitor the permittee to ensure that the objectives of the program are met. This is done by:
a) checking during the cleanup to ensure that the safety rules are being followed and to immediately advise the permittee of any infractions.
b) ensuring that the conditions of the permit are being met.
c) hold at least one formalized meeting each year with the authorized representative to evaluate the performance of the permittee. The meeting should be held at the end of the cleanup season (late fall or early winter)
