Hay harvesting on right of way along state and federal highways without a permit is trespassing, according to a Kansas Department of Transportation press release. Haying permit applications are available at KDOT district and area offices and are valid for one year or a specific haying season.

KDOT has updated its hay permit form to reflect the following key changes:

• The hay permit will expire Sept. 30 annually. KDOT maintenance crews begin mowing highway rights of way starting Oct. 1.

• No harvesting is to be permitted on the interstate highway right of way.

• No equipment shall be left on the right of way any longer than 10 days.

• KDOT has dropped the required county noxious weed director signature.

• KDOT reserves the right to retain up to 20 percent of the bales harvested from the right of way as part of the permit agreement.

The updated KDOT hay permit form can be found online at https://www.ksdot.org/offtransinfo/Form317.pdf.

Haying permit applications will be accepted after Jan. 1 for that year’s mowing season.

For more information, call your local northwest Kansas KDOT offices:
Norton: (785) 877-3315
Phillipsburg: (785) 543-2163
Atwood: (785) 626-3258
Hays: (785) 625-9718
Oakley: (785) 672-3113