Go to Arrowhead Electric Cooperative’s website and you read “Providing Safe, Reliable and Environmentally Friendly Utility Services.” Which is why the recent decision by AECI to spray herbicides to clear rights of ways is troubling.
As a beekeeper, I am concerned about the potential toxic effect herbicides may have on my bees and about the loss of forage for bees that will undoubtedly result from the spraying.
The more I learn about the proposed herbicides, Garlon3A and Escort, the harder it becomes to sort out the reality of what may happen, not just to my bees but to other insects, birds, the water and ultimately humans. As so many times in the past, we are told by chemical manufacturers not to worry. Their products are safe and they will provide the “quick fix” to the problem. It is only after the damage is done that we often find out the price that has been paid.
The company responsible for application of the herbicides, Central Applicator, says that they will be used in the “lowest strength possible.” Rather than broadcasting over large areas, small handguns will be used by workers on ATVs to ensure spot treatment of targeted species.
They also agreed that one of the herbicides has been shown to be toxic to aquatic organisms and is capable of contaminating ground water. The solution, according to CA, is to spray with a “buffer zone of 50-100 ft. from wet areas…”
If the crew had been in Hovland last week after our 2-inch rainfall, the “wet area” would have been everywhere. It seems that runoff into lakes, rivers, streams would be unavoidable.
When is the best time to spray? The manufacturer provides guidelines about what stage of the growth of the plant is the best for spraying. It seems that spring may be better than late summer when many flowering plants are still going. The clover and fireweed are providing nourishment the bees need right now to make the honey they need to survive the long winter.
The bottom line is a sincere request to put this off until there is more time to examine potential risks, thereby giving the members of the cooperative an opportunity to communicate with management about concerns and issues and hopefully arrive at a decision together.
Louise Reavis
North Shore Hobby Beekeepers
Hovland
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