Rights of Way- The report also cites the railroad’s failure to cut unwanted vegetation. Donald Nelson acknowledged that little if any clearing has taken place in the last five years.  Unchecked vegetation can be dangerous in obscuring markers used by engineers and threatening to choke off vital signals and communication systems. President Williams said the LIRR began tackling the problem during the summer (2007) and that she has requested additional funding to cover this maintenance expense. Heavy undergrowth of weeds on the rights of way has been responsible for many unnecessary but dangerous track fires.