Several days ago the Gazette published an article, “Herbicide spraying plans spur pushback.” (June 25)
Ashfield residents saw a paid Eversource notice in the Greenfield Recorder and were upset that the company planned to spray herbicides for six months — June 26 to Dec. 31 — along power lines in Ashfield and more than 30 other communities in western Massachusetts.
This is part of what Eversource calls its “Integrated Vegetative Management Program.” The company’s spokeswoman, Priscilla Ress, reported that it is approved by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources and, she claimed, it is “most effective in promoting the long-term sustainability of the natural habitat.” The purpose, again from the Gazette article, “is to encourage the growth of low-growing native shrubs and grasses, by removing tall and invasive species.”
And what herbicides — powerful chemicals — does Eversource plan to use? Among others not identified, one is to be Rodeo Concentrate made by Dow, which markets it as an “aquatic safe and friendly glyphosate.” However, this is an absurd claim. There is no such thing.
Glyphosate is Roundup, still for sale everywhere, heavily promoted on TV, usually between ads by legal firms seeking folks sickened and/or dying as a result of Roundup exposure, to assist in suing the company. And enormous awards have been approved.
That Roundup is still available everywhere is like the tobacco industry in the 50s and 60s, insisting that their products were safe as millions of users — and non-users — died prematurely from exposure to smoke.
In online promotions, Rodeo says its product can be used on multiple sites and that it controls entire plants — roots and all. In other words, Rodeo kills everything it contacts.
I believe Eversource’s “Integrated Vegetative Management Program” is a lie. There is no way to eliminate invasive species with powerful chemicals to allow native species to thrive: indeed, exactly the opposite would happen as invasives are much hardier than natives.
National Grid supplies my electricity and that for most of this area and state, so I called recently to ask. After encountering many barriers, someone from the company’s “Distribution Design Team” was supposed to call or email me. I’m not surprised that I’m still waiting.
Alison Bowen
Goshen