INCOMING: Herbicide Treatments on Public Lands in 17 Western States

As one who fought aggressively and succesfully to stop aerial spraying for West Nile Virus in my western state I can tell you, the year in which early, targeted local spraying occurred WNV cases dropped nearly 100% from the previous year in which generalized, massive aggressive spraying occurred. When you make them work to solve the problem (instead of allowing them to throw chemicals on everything) governemnt does a better job! DO NOT ALLOW THIS TO GO FORWARD IN YOUR STATE. It is your health at risk, and as a surivivor of a toxic chemical exposure I'm not kidding you on this!

The proposed program opens the door for use of "...persistent and mobile chemicals, including known developmental and reproductive toxins," and ..."new chemicals that may be developed in the future." I am NOT a human guinea pig!!!

Further, there are many, MANY homes and communities abutting government and park land that dots most of the West:

"The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has proposed to apply massive amounts of herbicides to public lands in 17 Western states. The BLM claims these pesticides need to be applied to forests, rangelands and aquatic areas in order to reduce the risk of fire and slow the spread of invasive weeds. Under the proposal 932,000 acres would undergo chemical application in 17 western states, including National Monuments and National Conservation areas.

An integral part of this proposal involves aerial spraying of toxic herbicides, which increases negative impacts on non-targeted vegetation, wildlife, and people, including recreationists, tourists, and native peoples (herbicide application areas include Alaska, where native fishing and plant gathering is widespread).

The herbicides that would be used include persistent and mobile chemicals, including known developmental and reproductive toxins. The list of herbicides includes 4 new chemicals and 14 other pesticides, including 2,4-D, bromacil, chlorsulfuron, diquat, diuron, fluridone, hexazinone, teburthiruon, triclopyr, and picloram. The proposal would also allow the use of 'new chemicals that may be developed in the future.'

Fortunately, the proposal also includes an analysis of possible outcomes of using nonchemical means of managing these areas and offers an option (Option C) wherein traditional methods of vegetation management are used on public lands, not the use widespread application of toxic chemicals."

SIGN THE PETITION TO ELECT "OPTION C" NOW

Public comment period ends Jan.9,2006