Arrowhead Electric Cooperative’s management has recently made a sea change in their attitude toward power line right of way clearing. Beginning in early September, agro-chemicals will again be used to treat power line easements. The east end of the county will be the first area affected.
For at least the past decade, AECI has used only mechanical means to clear its rights of way though their power provider Great River Energy, cleared main transmission ROWs in the county’s west end with chemical treatment three years ago. You may remember the unsightly dead/ dying plants and the chemical stench from that process.
The broad spectrum herbicides Garlon3A and Escort will be used. While the EPA individually tests the active ingredients in both herbicides, they are not tested in combination, nor are they tested with the high percentage of added chemicals or with the surfactants used to make the chemicals stick to vegetation. Garlon 3A and Escort are mixed to improve (make more toxic) their effectiveness on targeted plant material.
Dupont’s broad spectrum Escort is a sulfometuron methyl based herbicide which has been shown to be more mobile in water than the controversial herbicide Atrazine. A considerable amount of Atrazine is now found in Lake Superior. Triclopyr-based Garlon 3A is produced by DowElanco. Triclopyr herbicides typically require a petroleum based carrier such as diesel fuel or kerosene…both of which are eye, skin and respiratory irritants.
AECI has 550 miles of power lines, and with a typical easement width of 30 feet, about 2,000 acres could be subject to chemical treatment. Beekeepers, pet owners, organic gardeners and chemicallysensitive individuals may be the most immediately affected by the use of these herbicides.
While individual private property owners may be able to opt out, let’s protect water quality and public health by urging elected officials to also opt out of AECI herbicide use on county, state, federal and tribal lands.
Bob LaMettry
Grand Marais
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